Baan Tong Luang, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Yep. Here it is. The quintessential poor child looking very sad, with no real “toys”, asking for any money you may have for just a little something to eat, beckoning with those large eyes, that look oh so sad …yeah, not so “reality” really. This girl is about to break into a big grin, and you put a plate of pad thai in front of her and you have never seen a happier child …believe me. Actually a plate of any kind of food. Not that she is starving, but just because she loves food. Any food. She likes snickers candy bars especially (just in case you visit). Her Barbie isn’t in great shape - every time you put the arms and legs back in the sockets, she just cranks em’ right out again, with a chuckle and grin. She’s a feisty one. She’s a kid. That’s what kids do.
Some may question the rings, but honestly, that wasn’t for me to question when I was there. I really don’t see that. I just see a kid. …and I see one that’s about to go ballistic because I have snickers and I like to fix the sockets. 
…really don’t care about the religion, the ethnicity, the color, the tribe. She’s just a child. She wants to have fun. She wants candy. She barely even knows what money is. …no matter how she is portrayed by some tourists pictures.
August 24, 2009
William Carpenter
May 11, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Beautiful. I hope you get more hits man, I’m preaching your blog.
happypoppeye
May 11, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Thanks William.
Jennifer Avventura
May 11, 2011 at 2:11 pm
What a beautiful little girl. I also don’t see the poverty in this picture. I see a beautiful young girl, full of hope. Nicely done.
blackwatertown
May 11, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Beautiful girl.
Beautiful picture.
(Shame about the rings, but there you are.)
TheBlackTwig
May 12, 2011 at 5:34 am
This is very touching John. The picture says it all.
Pilar
May 12, 2011 at 8:51 am
this is an adorable picture, it is an honour for me that you comment on my post, love your composition and the colors, and she is a lovely child
youngamericanwisdom.com
May 12, 2011 at 9:32 am
This is fantastic. I happily landed here via a wordpress forum about freshly pressed. You are the blogging equivalent of National Geographic.
happypoppeye
May 12, 2011 at 9:35 am
Ha! …thanks YAW.
legendarynd
May 12, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Love it! Without saying it you tell the reader, “stop reading too much into things.” Great moto for life.
Kayoh
May 12, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Fantastic post! I think way too many people over look this fact. The concepts media has instilled in us…
Cheers!
Kayoh
http://www.tronah.wordpress.com
midnitechef
May 12, 2011 at 4:15 pm
She is precious, as all children are!
smktmchemistryf4
September 10, 2011 at 4:44 am
Hi! How do I get to Baan Tong Luan from Chiang Mai? Thanks!
happypoppeye
September 10, 2011 at 11:39 am
smktm, …hop in a tuk-tuk. Most of the drivers know where it is at. If not, it’s past the tiger park and right up near the queen’s gardens in the Mae-Rim area surrounding Chang Mai.