Changes and problems do not occur exclusively to the Akha but also to other highland ethnic groups. In 1992, the population of highlanders was over six million, but only ten percent was categorized as “hilltribes”. Changes occurring to Akha villages are due to state proclamations on forest management. Economic expansion, highland development, and road construction have brought about changes to the villages and neighboring areas. There are forest concessions, commercial crop cultivation, and progress from state development projects. The most important is that road construction has merged independent Akha communities into the macro-economic system and into the state administration. These processes have become factors causing the marginalization of highland ethnic groups. During the last decade, the livelihood of the Akha has not been easy as they are a minority group with lower status. Nevertheless, the group has survived and adjusted itself to deal with new situations. Helping one another and accepting new education and assistance from NGOs are factors in their adjustment to create new knowledge necessary for survival in the new urban society.