Hmong Vendor in Hua Hin
Hmong vendor and child
In looking over all my Wednesday photos I realize I’ve sadly neglected pictures of what is really my favorite part of Thailand – the Thai people. There is a reason that Thailand is sometimes called “The Land of Smiles.” Often, while going through a market or even just on the street, from out of nowhere your own smile is often mirrored back in a Thai smile that makes your day.
Since Hmong villages are pretty much exclusively in the north, this woman is a transplant out of economic necessity: she has come here to set up a stall and sell goods to tourists. It’s a fairly common Thai story, not just for the Hmong but also for uncounted Thais from northeast Thailand (Isaan): having to leave the safe confines of village and home in order to survive. Nonetheless, what a beautiful smile!
The Wednesday Photo is a new picture each week highlighting something of interest in Thailand. Click on the picture to see a larger version.