It is a common sight to see groups of pipe-smoking women, carrying baskets on their backs, walking single file on the way to market or to the fields. Modern times are touching the lives of the ethnic minorities, though especially those in villages near towns. Many people wear Western clothes, children go to school and some people have converted to Buddhism. And modern times are touching the splendid natural beauty of Ratanakiri - but in many places just barely. The quiet old hardwood forests are still thick with ancient mahagony trees.
Lush hills are dotted with coffee bushes, bananas, papaya, mangoes and jack fruit trees.
Wildlife is abundant. Birds flock overhead and sing in the forest. With that kind of financial incentive, the tiger population is dwindling. North of Banlung is Veal Rum Plang, a rocky plain in the middle of the forest. The boy's body was buried near the rock plateau, and now the spirits offer protection to the plain and the majestic trees surrounding it.