Author: Kay Kaesler

Celebrating cultural diversity, travel Big Bike Tours highlights some of the lesser-known communities around the world and what makes them so fascinating. The Tai Dam (or Black Tai) originates from the southern regions of China. The word 'dam' (meaning black) refers to the traditional black-colored skirt and headdress worn by Tai Dam women. When their homeland in China was destroyed by Kublai Khan's army during the Mongol invasion around 1250 BC, many Tai  Dam people migrated to Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Today, the Tai Dam in Thailand mainly resides in the northern mountainous regions of Chiang Khan in Loei province. Tai Dam houses are built on stilts and a Tai Dam village, called baan, usually comprises 40 to 50 stilt houses. Agriculture is the Tai Dam's primary livelihood. They mainly cultivate rice on the hillside terraces where they live, and also grow secondary crops like corn and cotton. CULTURE & CUSTOMS Tai Dam people pride themselves on being pleasant, courteous, and hospitable. Their social structure consists of three levels ­ the village (baan), the commune (made up of a few villages), and muang (akin to a district, it encompasses a few communes). While each village has its own headman and the commune is headed by a member of the nobility, the muang has a hereditary ruler called chao muang, who is considered a 'prince'. The Tai Dam family unit is a close-knit one, and it is common for newlyweds to live with the wife's family until they are able to establish a home of their own. Although the Tai Dam is a patriarchal society, there is no division of labor between men and women; both share a household, child­rearing, and farming responsibilities. BELIEFS & SPIRITUALITY A majority of Tai Dam people are Buddhists, although animism and ancestral worship are still

So you are planning your first Open Road long bike ride across Thailand. You may be a novice or experienced rider back home, but have you ever gone outside your comfort zone and driven in a foreign land where the rains come hard and heavy or the sun beats down at random? Have you ever experienced riding in a troop experiencing foreign landscapes and cultures with hardy big bike enthusiasts at every excursion? Whether you choose to ride the Mae Hong Son Loop, which takes you to the most mountainous province in Thailand to the highest peak, Doi Inthanon (2.565 meters above sea level) or the Nan Loop excursion which takes you through the most beautiful countryside of Northern Thailand with its great roads, no traffic, no speed cams and stunning scenery. You can ride the famous Highway No. 1148, ranked as one of the top 10 best riding roads all over the world. Ride along the unique panorama of the Border between Laos and Thailand. Cross the Sirikit Dam Reservoir on a wooden ferry and visit the World Heritage Historical Park of Sukhothai. But like every open rider knows and understands…. you need to prepare well and know what you’re doing in advance. So here are a few tips to make your experience as pleasant as possible. Tip Number 1: Driver’s License, Rules of the Road and Insurance You don’t need a special Thai driving license but you will need a valid international driving permit or a valid license with a motorcycle amendment from your home country so make sure you organize this before you leave home. In Thailand, we drive on the left. As in England, Ireland and Australia. All speed limits are in km/h, 30-50 for towns, 60 for suburbs and 90 for major roads and dual

Thailand is a country that is as magnificent as it is magical, and while most of the tourists tend to visit the southern side of the country generally, there is a lot to discover and explore in the northern region of Thailand as well. The north and the north-central part of the country has some of the most exotic, picturesque, and serene views and locations and tourist spots, which would certainly mesmerize you. Motorbiking across this region would unfold the side of Thailand you haven’t experienced before in other touristy places in the country. Few of the locations to discover here are Mae Sa Elephant Camp, Doi Mae Salong, Tha Ton, Chiang Dao Cave, Doi Tung Royal Villa, Golden Triangle (meeting point of three countries – Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand), and much more. Riding in the mountainous highway No. 1148 that leads to Nan is one of the most fascinating journeys you would ever take in life and to validate the point, the highway is ranked among the top 10 most fun and exciting biking roads in the world. The journey through Northern Thailand, which starts at Chiang Mai, would take you through some of the most famous cultural places in the country and help you witness the beauty of the country in an exotic way. Here are the few highlights and facts about this unforgettable and exciting 8-day tour through the Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai – Tha Ton (Day 1) Facts: Distance – 179 Kms. Time To Complete – 3-4 hours. Road Conditions – Decent highway. Difficulty – Easy. Personal Experience Starting from Chiang Mai, the first stop on the way is at Mae Sa Elephant Camp, where I had an opportunity to feed elephants, bath with them and see them perform their antics in a natural environment. From

The Lanna Kingdom tour helps you experience the hidden treasures of Thailand in the most magical way possible. It takes you to the highest peak of Thailand, Doi Inthanon, which is 2,565 meters above the sea level. The ride along the Ma Hong Son Loop will definitely bring out the rider in you and help you witness some of the most amazing scenery in Thailand. The unforgettable experience offered by the twisty curves of Mae Hong Son, picturesque mountainous scenery of Doi Mae Salong, beautiful Tha Ton, amazing Pai, Doi Tung Royal Villa and the place where the borders of three countries, namely Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet – The Golden Triangle, is going to mesmerize you and ensure that you take back home some of the most beautiful memories for lifetime. It is one of the most popular routes for the riders because it offers so much and is filled with the cultural, traditional, and historical attractions, which sure makes the tour worthwhile. The tour includes some of the most attractive tourist locations in Thailand, which includes Vachiratharn Waterfall, Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, Chiang Dao Cave, World War 2 Memorial Bridge, Phayao Lake, Opium Museum, Than Tong Waterfall, Monkey Temple, and much more. Chiang Mai – Don Inthanon – Mae Sariang – Day 1 Facts: Distance – 275 Kms. Days To Complete – 6 Hours. Road Conditions – Excellent and well-maintained windy mountainous roads. Difficulty – Easy. Personal Experience I start my tour by arriving at Chiang Mai from Bangkok. I stayed overnight at a hotel and started my journey next day early morning after the breakfast. I rode along the south of Chiang Mai towards the famous Doi Inthanon National Park, which is 2,565 meters above the sea level and is the highest peak in Thailand.