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The young lad sat here in the dirt.
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Amazing when you have taken a photograph of this
nature and come across it years later.
You automatically think back to the time it was taken
and then wonder what the person, like the young boy
here might be doing now.
Morning mist in the high mountains.
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Simply outstanding when you see it like this, first thing
of a morning.
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There is a bit of a tendency to get carried away
on this thread in particular when folk I know either
send me an e-mail or as Jock has done a couple of
times phoned me up.
Then I get reminded of certain things, start
rummaging for photographs etc.
I learned earlier today from such an e-mail that the
Bridge Crossing at Mai Sot should have re-opened on
the 5th December, having been closed for a year or so.
I checked on The Irrawaddy and it appears to be so.
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Thai and Burmese representatives perform a ribbon-cutting
ceremony to mark the reopening of the
Friendship Bridge on Monday.
(Above Photo: The Irrawaddy) Thank-You.
I knew I had taken some photographs from the bridge area
where folk cross either walking over when the water level
is low enough, or using simple inner tubes, rafts etc as the
need arises.
The authorities seem to let them be to a point.
however, we have seen Thai Police and or Border Officers
checking what they are fetching across from time to time.
We have also seen a Humvee-Type vehicle well manned and
armed patrolling the border areas by the river.
A few years ago, a Thai Policeman was shot down by the River.
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As you can see, it's a regular route.
Here as well, the person sat on the porch.
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We passed a couple of times, there was no sign
of movement at all.
Another one from the area showing a crossing point
by the Friendship Bridge.
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During the monsoon season, the river is very high, a dangerous spot
for the folk making these illegal crossings.
Several have been swept away here, fishermen too.
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The levels of illegal and counterfeit goods on these
border points is amazing.
It's a way of life to all concerned.
Doing what comers naturally.
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I always wonder about the benefits to mankind in general
with regard to development as part of our evolutionary
mode occurs across the planet.
The Chinese certainly appear to favour hydropower for their needs
and indeed for the betterment of the atmosphere.
To the north of Xishuangbanna the completion of the
Jinghong Dam last year makes it the highest arch dam
in the world.
It's also China's biggest hydropower development following
the Three Gorges Dam.
They have and will continue to displace hundreds of
thousands if not millions of folk and resettle them as
they deem fit and proper.
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Folk complain about the massive loss of jungle, trees, especially
Teak and of course the enormous loss of animal, insect,
and low level plant life, of which there are numerous species which
could be very beneficial to the good of mankind.
I simply do not know enough about these losses to be able to
make a justifiable case of complaint.
I can bear witness to some of the habitats of many
Hill Tribe and Mountain folk, and think, that although
what they have is very little at all.
It has been their's for generations.
Those amazing Rivers which start their lives in the
Himalayas, trickling into the Tibetan plains and then
roaring across the Yunnan Territories cutting enormous
gorges, works of art through the dirt, rock and mountains.
Then they go their own different ways.
Almost like they have been guided by an invisible power.
The Mighty Mekong pours into the ocean from the shores of Vietnam.
The Yangtze across the lands to the coast of China.
The Salween through Burma and out into the Indian Ocean.
What about the Turkey's too?
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From a personal view point,
I have not seen many Turkeys at all in Asia.
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I don't think these folk can possibly adapt to life in high rise
concrete flats for a moment.
Maybe their off-spring can and possibly deserve better.
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They have little or nothing as it is,
but there is always a sense of happiness about them.
Genetically they may well have tremendous difficulties in
change.
I don't know if China has looked at the obvious effects
on these folk, or even if they care at all.
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I've heard folk remark, 'anything would be better than this'
But of course, they may not be at all
qualified to make such a brass statement.
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Quite a few folk I have known who lived and or worked amongst these
Hilltribe people one way or another, think the real existence will be forced to disappear.
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Albeit, there will be villages built with decent level bungalow type
homes, shops of course, plus the tribal dress, the questionable
neck band or two, which will be hastily removed once visiting time is over.
Of course, you could never create this.
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Certain things have so much individuality in their being.
It was never, 'Never Never Land.'
I took this next photograph probably in February 2007,
might possibly have been 2008.
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There was a Tesco Lotus down the road a short way in Mai Sot.
It was packed out with customers every day.
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Sorting out a few photographs and came across this one from
high in the mountains, and taken quite a few years since.
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Many a time we have been walking in places like
this, there is a perfectly natural tendency to feel
that you might just be the first person on the planet
to have witnessed the panorama before you.
There are occasions in life, when you come across people,
especially in the remote parts of the globe, you wonder how much
about the real world they are familiar with.
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Then of course, you might just concern yourself
about what is the real world.
I think there is a natural tendency to presume we
have created a better world to live in.
I certainly wouldn't want to be thrown back into
the stone age.
I was sent this photograph earlier in the year.
A chair-lift system installed in the mountains of
The Yunnan Territories.
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I didn't think The Chinese were operating on
these levels in their tourism and leisure features.
They are though.
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I have mentioned on this thread a few times the obvious concern
felt for The Burmese (Karen generally) Refugees in Thailand especially with regards
to fire breaking out in those camps.
From an earlier post reference:- 169 Page 7
I always think though, that if ever a fire broke out in one of these places the death toll would be horrendous.
From questions I asked, they only possess the buckets used for everyday use and a nearby river or stream for all water purposes.
A fire station or appliance would have to come from the nearest major town and I simply dread to think what would be left by the time help came.
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Maybe I worry too much about matters which are possibilities only.
But it happened a few days ago.
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Obviously these photographs are not mine.
They are from various parts of the internet.
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Folk have been burned, including many children.
Thai authorities claim there were no deaths?
These poor souls have been through a lifetime of misery,
this is a terrible disaster for them on top of everything else.
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These links are well worth looking at.
Among the charred ruins of a refugee camp, a smile remains
Raging fire destroys large area of refugee camp
Aung San Suu Kyi with her freedom, Junta stepdown
and promises of fair elections?
Who knows?
The recent ceasefire agreement signed by the Burmese
and shan State Army has already floundered.
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SSA-South Reports Renewed Fighting with Burma Army
Government troops clash with the Shan State Army-South
for the second time since the two sides signed a ceasefire
agreement less than three months ago.
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KNU Calls for Govt Troops in Ethnic Areas to Withdraw
Karen National Union calls for immediate withdrawal of
government troops in ethnic areas and lasting ceasefire
through four-stage peace roadmap.
On top of all those problems Médecins Sans Frontières
are concerned with the alarming increase in AIDS/HIV
and the escalating cases of tubercolosis.
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This next photograph is from Photoblog.
By Natalia Jimenez, msnbc.com
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It must have been like being in hell.
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Blatent bump!
Classic thread and anecdotes from Mathos.
Get well soon mate.
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This is the thread I think i was on about his photos all got deleted by the host and he was rightly upset after years of time and effort with the anal system here. I remember him saying to upload his photos here would take as long as one of his all day walks.