Jinhan and I were both fascinated and challenged as we traveled
in north Thailand. ___1___
these rugged hills and valleys, primitive tribal villages cling
precariously___2___
the hillsides. Houses with thatched roofs and walls stand ___3___
wooden stilts high above the ground. Beneath them pigs root for
food, hens scratch
___4___ earth, and dogs bark
to announce our passing. Communication is difficult even ___5___
those who speak Thai, for these people speak only their tribal
languages, such as Lahu, Akha, Lisu, Miao, and a host of others.
Most ___6___
recently arrived on foot from Burma, Laos, or Cambodia, having
fled the perils of life in ___7___
lands to seek relative safety in Thailand. With little help or
even notice ___8___ the
outside world, the hard-pressed government ___9___
Thailand is striving to cope in a humanitarian way with the
succeeding waves of ___10___
beleaguered tribal people. |