The ethnic minority groups located in the mountainous parts of Northern Thailand are usually referred to as the Hilltribes and are grouped together by others even though each of the dozen or so ethnic are quite different in origin, art, culture, language and social structure. In the past, some (but not all) of these ethnic groups supported themselves through the cultivation of the opium poppy. Now, all of them have turned away from opium trading to other agricultural products such as tea, flowers and vegetables for the local market in Thailand.

Sales of handicraft products, many based on designs and techniques used for their traditional costumes, have given the more colourful groups the opportunity to earn supplementary income.

Hmong are found in the mountainous region of China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Hmong in Thailand are settled in villages throughout the wide area of the North.
Hmong are well known for their exquisite needlework in order to supplement their income. Women traditionally make clothing from cotton or hemp which is woven on unique looms that combines features of both the body-tention and frame looms.

This is very rarely seen today. Their clothing is richly decorated with embroidery, applique, cutwork, pom-poms, batik cloth and silver jewelry.

Karen tribe is the largest in population of all the hill tribes in Thailand. Karens are noted for their weaving which is done on a back-strap loom. There are many section of this large ethnic group thus many style of dress and types of fabrics are produced. Some of their materials and clothing have embroidery and Job's tears decoration. The main materials they use are home-spun cotton and most of the time natural dye.
Karen are also well know for their basket making. They make fine basketry which is a dying art and needs urgent revival.

Akha are found in the mountains of China, Mynmar, Laos and Thailand. They spin cotton into thread by hand and weave on their looms. The cloth is dyed with indigo, and then sewed into clothing. The dark blue material is decorated in various ways such as with embroidery, applique, seeds, silver ornaments, coins and shells.

Lisu tribe make their clothing from gaily-colored cloth stitched into outfits trimmed with row upon row of vari-colored strips of cloth, appliqued patchwork, elaborate tassels, and beadwork. The more affluent wear massive amounts of hand-crafted silver ornaments for festive occasions.

Lahu or Musur are skilled in weaving cloth both on back strap and foot treadle looms, producing dedicate patchwork trims, and unusual embroidery work. Their weaving is unique in that the pattern appears only on one side of the cloth. They also make fine basketry and other items made from wood bamboo and rattan.

Miens are noted for their magnificent cross-stitch embroidery, which richly decorates the clothing. Mien silversmiths produce lovely silver jewelry of high quality.