The Shan, often called Tai Yai (ไทใหญ่), are a stateless ethnic group from Southeast Asia residing primarily in Myanmar and Yunnan province, China. Many have migrated to Thailand in search of better lives and employment opportunities.
In 2013, I pursued a photo project with Shan youth in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand, during which I became close friends with a few Shan families. Through these relationships and a variety of jobs working with Shan people in the fields of education and social services, I learned much about Shan culture, as well as the challenges faced by stateless communities in Thailand and elsewhere. The photos below are from a personal collection spanning years, and showcase various elements of Shan culture and community in the Wiang Tai and Mae Hi districts of Pai, Mae Hong Son.
Due to the intricacies of immigration law, most Shan in northern Thailand work in the agricultural or construction sectors. These are often contracted jobs which pay little and require hard labor.
In Pai, many farm garlic alongside other crops. During harvest time, some of my Shan students would pick and peel garlic after school to earn wages.
