10 Million Lao People - Where are there?

[DownUnder]

It is estimated that there are 10 millions Lao people around the
world.
How many Lao people are now living in Laos (LPDR)?.. ?? 3 million??

The INTERESTING question to ponder is this: The Lao people has her OWN
country, but WHY the people do NOT live in their own country?

This could be a THESIS for some some??
It would be interesting issue to documented.

du/


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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_people

Lao people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lao people
ลาว
Setthathirath • K. Siphandon • N. Phoumsavan • B. T. Worra
J. Poonlarp • M. Bhuridatta • K. Patafta • A. Everingham
Total population
10 million (est.)[citation needed]
Languages

Lao, Isan, Thai, French
Religion

Predominantly Theravada Buddhist, with animist and some Hindu
influences.
Related ethnic groups

Thais and other Tai ethnic groups
This article contains Lao text. Without proper rendering support, you
may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Lao script.

The Lao (Lao: ລາວ, Isan: ลาว, IPA: láːw) are an ethnic subgroup of Tai/
Dai in Southeast Asia.
Contents
[hide]

1 Names
2 History
2.1 Tai Migration Period
2.2 Lanxang
2.3 The Lao after Lanxang
2.3.1 Lao in Laos
2.3.2 Lao in Thailand
3 Distribution
4 Language
4.1 Lao in Laos
4.2 Lao in Thailand
5 Religion
5.1 Buddhism
5.2 Animism
5.3 Hinduism
6 Culture
6.1 Lao Cuisine
7 Subdivisions of the Lao people
8 Popular culture
9 See also
10 References
11 Other sources
12 External links

[edit] Names

The etymology of the word Lao is uncertain, although it may be related
to tribes known as the Ai Lao (Lao: ອ້າຽລາວ, Isan: อ้ายลาว, Chinese: 哀
牢; pinyin: Āiláo, Vietnamese: ai lao) who appear in Han Dynasty
records in China and Vietnam as a people of what is now Yunan
Province. Tribes descended from the Ai Lao included the Tai tribes
that migrated to Southeast Asia.[1] The English word Laotian, used
interchangeably with Lao in most contexts, comes from French laotien/
laotienne.[2] The Lao people, like many other Tai peoples also refer
to themselves as Tai (Lao: ໄທ, Isan: ไท, IPA: tʰáj) and more
specifically Tai Lao (ໄທລາວ, ไทลาว). In Thailand, the local Lao people
are differentiated from the Lao of Laos and by the Thais by the term
Thai Isan (Lao: ໄທຍ໌ອີສານ, Isan: ไทยอีสาน, IPA: i: să:n), a Sanskrit-
derived term meaning northeast, but 'Lao' is still used.[3]
[edit] History
[edit] Tai Migration Period
Main article: Peopling of Laos

According to a shared legend amongst various Tai tribes, a possibly
mythical king, Khun Borom Rachathiriat (ຂຸນບໍຣົມຣາຊາທິຣາດ,
ขุนบรมราชาธิราช, [kʰǔn bɔ̄ː lóm láː sáː tʰī lâːt]) of Mueang Thaen
(ເມືອງແຖນ, เมืองแถน, [mɯ́əŋ tʰɛ̌ːn]) (modern-day Điện Biên Phủ) begot
several sons that settled and ruled other mueang, or city-states,
across South-East Asia and southern China.[4] Descended from ancient
peoples known to the Chinese as the Yue and the Ai Lao, the Tai tribes
began migrating into South-East Asia by the beginning of the 1st
millennium, but large-scale migrations took place between the 7th and
13th centuries AD, especially from what is now Sipsongbanna, Yunnan
Province and Guangxi. The reasons for Tai migration include pressures
from Han Chinese expansion, Mongol invasions, suitable land for wet
rice cultivation and the fall of states such as Nanzhao that the Tais
inhabited.[5][6]

The Tai assimilated or pushed out indigenonus Austroasiatic Mon–Khmer
peoples, and settled on the fringes of the Indianised kingdoms of the
Mon and Khmer Empire. The blending of peoples and the influx of Indian
philosophy, religion, language, culture and customs via and alongside
some Austroasiatic element enriched the Tai peoples, but the Tais
remained in contact with the other Tai mueang.[7]
[edit] Lanxang
Main article: Lan Xang

The Tai states took advantage of the waning Khmer Empire and emerged
independent. The Lao reckon the beginnings of their national history
to this time, as many important monuments, temples, artwork, and other
aspects of classical Lao culture harken back to this time period. From
this point, one can refer to the Tai states of the Chao Phraya River
valley as Siam and Lan Xang as Laos, albeit quite anachronistically.
The Kingdom of Lanxang (ອານາຈັກລ້ານຊ້າງ, อาณาจักรล้านช้าง, [ʔaː náː
tʃák lâːn sâːŋ]), the Land of One Million Elephants, began in 1354 AD,
when Somdej Phra Chao Fa Ngum (ສົມເດດພຣະເຈົ້າຝ້າງູ່ມ,
สมเด็จพระเจ้าฝ้างู่ม) (1354 - 1373 AD) returned to Mueang Sua
(ເມືອງຊວາ, เมืองซวา), thence renamed Xieng Thong (ຊຽງທອງ, เซียงทอง).
From his base, all of modern-day Laos and the Khorat Plateau as well
as parts of Sipsongbanna (ສິບສອງພັນນາ, สิบสองพันนา), Sipsong Chu Tai
(ສິບສອງຈຸໃທ, สิบสองจุไทย), Xieng Tung (ຊຽງຕຸງ, เซียงตุง), and Xieng
Taeng (ຊຽງແຕງ, เซียงแตรง) and parts of north western vietnam.

The kingdom prospered with riverine traffic along the Mekong and over-
land caravan routes to the ports of Siam, which had emerged as a
bustling entrepôt of sea-bourne trade, and to southern China and other
Tai mueang. The first Western visitors during the reign of Phra Chao
Suriyavongsa (ພຣະເຈົ້າສຸຣິຍະວົງສາທັມມິກຣາດ,พระเจ้าสุริยวงศาธรรมิกราช)
(1634 - 1697 AD) noted how the kingdom prospered off exports of gold,
benzoin resin, lac and lacquerware, medicinal herbs, ivory, silk and
silk clothing, and wood. Numerous temples, especially in Xieng Thong
(now Luang Phrabang) and Vientiane attest this. During this time, the
legends of Khun Borom were recorded on palm-leaf manuscripts and the
Lao classical epic Sin Xay was composed. Therevada Buddhism was the
state religion, and Vientiane was an important city of Buddhist
learning. Cultural influences, besides Buddhism, included the Mon
outposts later assimilated into the kingdom and the Khmer. A brief
union of the crowns of Lannathai and Lanxang under Phra Chao Sai
Sethathirath (ພຣະເຈົ້າໄຊເສດຖາທິຣາດ, พระเจ้าไชยเชษฐาธิราช) (1548 - 1572
AD) introduced many architectural and artistic developments, in
imitation of Lannathai style, but intellectual as well. The libraries
of Lannathai were copied, including much religious literature. This
may have led to the adoption, or possibly re-adoption of the Mon-based
Tua Tham, or 'dharma script' for religious writings[8]

The kingdom split into three rival factions, ruling from Luang Phra
Bang, Vientiane, and Champasak (ຈຳປາສັກ, จำปาศักดิ์). The kingdoms
quickly fell under Siamese rule. The remnants of Lan Xang received
their final blows in the 18th and 19th centuries, during the campaigns
of Taksin and retribution for the revolts of Chao Anuvong
(ເຈົ້າອນຸວົງ, เจ้าอนุวงศ์) against Siamese rule during the reign of
Rama III. During both these periods, Vientiane and other cities were
looted and their Buddha images and artwork moved to Thailand.[9] The
cities and much of the population was forcibly removed and settled in
the lesser populated regions of Isan and central Thailand and others
were enslaved to do corvée projects[10] By the time the French reached
Laos in 1868, they had only found a depopulated region with even the
great city of Vientiane disappearing into the forest.[9]
[edit] The Lao after Lanxang
[edit] Lao in Laos
Main article: History of Laos

The area of Laos, now annexed by Siam, was explored by the French and,
under Auguste Pavie, the French were keen to control the Mekong. The
French, as overlords of Vietnam, wanted all the tributaries of
Vietnam, including the remnant territories of Lanxang. This led to
French gunboat diplomacy and border skirmishes known as the Franco-
Siamese War of 1893, which forced Siam to cede its claims to most of
what constitutes modern-day Laos.[11]
The French forced the Siamese to renounce their claims to Lao
territory in 1893, thus signalling the genesis of the modern Lao
state.

The French prevented and preserved the Lao from becoming a regional
sub-category of the Thai nation, much like their brethren in Isan,
also known as the 'North-Eastern Thai'. Like former historical
rivalries between the kings of Luang Phrabang, Champasak and
Vientiane, post-independence Laos was quickly divided between the
royalists under Prince Boun Oum of Champasak (ເຈົ້າບຸນອຸ້ມ ນະ ຈຳປາສັກ,
เจ้าบุญอุ้ม ณ จำปาศักดิ์), the neutralists under Prince Souvanna
Phouma (ເຈົ້າສວັນນະພູມາ, เจ้าสุวรรณภูมา), and the communist Pathet Lao
(ປະເທດລາວ, ประเทศลาว, pá tʰêːt lá:w) under his half-brother Prince
Souphanouvong (ເຈົ້າສຸພານນະວົງ, เจ้าสุภานุวงศ์). These internal
divisions, with the Cold War and the region quickly being drawn into
the Vietnam War, led to a protracted battle for government control
that would not end until the communist victory in 1975.[12]

The Laotian Civil War was disastrous for the country. The royal family
was forced to abdicate and sent to a labour camp and as much as ten
percent of the population fled to Thailand and elsewhere, including
much of the intellectual élite. Laos became one of the poorest nations
in the world, heavily reliant on foreign aid. The country has since
relaxed many of its restrictions, which has opened up the country to
trade and business, but the country is still plagued with small
coffers, little infrastructure, and over-dependence on Thailand for
business, education, and media[13]
[edit] Lao in Thailand
Main article: History of Isan

Although parts of Isan were settled and were part of Lanxang, many of
the Lao were forcibly settled in the lesser populated southern and
western regions or sent to boost the populations of Lao mueang loyal
to the Siamese. The area was relatively isolated from the rest of
Thailand by the Petchabun mountains until the beginning of the 20th
century, when a direct rail link was built to Nakhon Ratchasima. The
region's rurality, poverty, isolation, large numbers, and attachment
to their unique culture helped preserve Lao culture.[14]

Various Thaification policies were enacted to finally integrate the
Lao into Thailand. 'Lao' was removed as a category in the census, and
heavy-handed policies were enacted. References to Lao people or its
past were removed and the language was banned from schools and books,
and overt prejudice towards Isan people for their darker complexions,
different language, and the agricultural base was commonplace.[15]

Although the region remains mainly agricultural and poorer compared to
other regions of Thailand, and many leave the region to find work in
Bangkok or abroad, the region has enjoyed a renewed interest in
traditional culture which is quite distinct although similar to Thai
culture. The region is becoming increasingly more urban, and many
large cities have sprung up. Due to the large population and Isan's
important function as a voting bloc in elections, more attention to
improving the region's infrastructure, business and education has come
from the national government although poverty and regionalism are
still impediments to Isan's development.[16]
[edit] Distribution

There are around 3.6 million Laotians in Laos, constituting
approximately 68% of the population (the remainder are largely hill
tribe people). The ethnic Lao of Laos form the bulk of the Lao Loum
("Lowland Laotians") (Lao: ລາວລຸ່ມ, Thai: ลาวลุ่ม, IPA: laːw lum).
Small Lao communities exist in Thailand and Cambodia, residing
primarily in the former Lao territory of Stung Treng (Xieng Teng in
Lao), and Vietnam. There are also substantial, unknown numbers of Lao
overseas perhaps as many as 500,000 people. Most of the latter were
refugees from Laos who fled during the Vietnam War (Second Indochina
War) from the Pathet Lao. Places of asylum for the Lao refugees are
the United States, France, Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada,
Singapore, and the United Kingdom; many also live in Argentina, India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Switzerland, Burma and Brazil.

The 2000 United States census figure of 168,707 Laotians and the 2005
figure of 200,000 exclude Hmong, but include Mien, Tai Dam, Khmu and
other groups in addition to the Lao.
[edit] Language

The Lao language is a tonal, analytic, right-branching, pronoun pro-
drop language of the Tai–Kadai language family, closely related to
Thai and other languages of Tai peoples. Most of the vocabulary is of
native Tai origin, although important contributions have come from
Pali and Sanskrit as well as Mon–Khmer languages. The alphabet is an
indic-based alphabet. Although the Lao have five major dialects, they
are all mutually intelligible and Lao people believe they all speak
variations of one language.[17]
[edit] Lao in Laos
Main article: Lao language

The Lao language (ພາສາລາວ) is the official language of the Lao
People's Democratic Republic and its official script is the Lao
alphabet.[18] As the dominant language of most of the Lao Loum and
therefore most of the Lao population, the language is enshrined as the
dominant language of education, government, and official use.[18]
Numerous minority languages are spoken by roughly half the population,
and include languages of the Austro-Asiatic, Sino-Tibetan,
Austronesian and Hmong–Mien language families. Although spelling is
not fully uniform, despite several reforms to move the language closer
to phonetical systems, it has helped stabilise the language. No
official standard exists, but the dialect of Vientiane is considered
de facto official.
[edit] Lao in Thailand
Main article: Isan language

The boundaries of Lao dialects also extend into the North-East of
Thailand, known as Isan, but the Lao spoken in Thailand as a whole can
be differentiated by adoption of much Thai vocabulary and code-
switching. The language is not taught or used in schools, government,
and most media outlets. Thaification policies removed the alphabet and
now the language is written in the Thai alphabet, if at all, and the
name changed to Isan to sever the political connection with Laos.
Despite this, the Lao language is spoken by almost a third of the
population of Thailand and is the primary language of 88% of Isan
households. It continues to serve as an important regional language
and a badge of Isan (hence Lao) identity, but it is experiencing a
decline in the advance of Thai[19]
[edit] Religion
Main article: Religion in Laos

Religion in Laos is highly syncretic, and has drawn from three primary
sources, although most Lao people claim to be Theravada Buddhists,
many traditions are derived from Hindu and Buddhist practises.
[edit] Buddhism
Main article: Buddhism in Laos
Offering of food to monks to make merit at a temple in Vientiane

Buddhism (ພຣະພຸດທະສາສນາ, พุทธศาสนา, [pʰā pʰūt tʰāʔ sàːt sáʔ nǎː]) is
the most popular and state religion in Laos, practised by 67% of the
country, and nearly all of the ethnic Lao. The numbers could be much
higher, as Buddhism has also influenced many other ethnic groups that
are generally considered animist.[20] It is also the predominant
religion of Isan and most of the nations beyond Laos' frontiers. Of
these, most are of the Therevada Sect (ເຖຣະວາດ, เถรวาท, [tʰěː rā
wâːt]) although historical influences of Mahayana Buddhism remain and
it is the main sect of Vietnamese and Chinese minorities that have
settled amongst the Lao and it has become syncretic with animistic
practices.

The temple in a Lao community is the centre of community affairs,
where villagers gather to discuss concerns or ask monks for their
wisdom and guidance, and most men are expected to enter the monastery
at some point to further their religious knowledge and make merit.

Paramount to religious living are the five Buddhist precepts
(ປັນຈະສິນ, [ban tʃaʔ sin], เบญจศีล, [beːn tʃaʔ sin]), viz., to abstain
from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Lao
cultural and behavioural traits that stem from Buddhist belief include
tolerance, respect for elders and family hiearchy, selflessness,
detachment to worldly good and concerns, caring for younger siblings,
politeness, self-negation, and modesty. Basic beliefs include re-
incarnation and karma.[21]

Important holidays related to Buddhism include Boun Phra Vet
(ບຸນພຣະເວດ, บุญพระเวส, [bun pʰaʔ vet]), Magha Puja (ມະຄະບູຊາ,
มาฆบูชา), Songkhan (ສັງຂານ, สงกรานต์), Vesak (ວິສາຂະບູຊາ, วิศาขบูซา),
Vassa (ວັນເຂົ້າພັນສາ, วันเข้าพรรษา), Wan Awk Pansa (ວັນອອກພັນສາ
วันออกพรรษา), Kathina, (ກະຖິນ, กฐิน). In addition to these days, the
Buddhist sabbath days (ວັນພຣະ, วันพระ, [van pʰaʔ]), during the phases
of the moon, and temple fairs are also regular times to visit the
temples, pray, ask advice of the monks for spiritual concerns, and
donate food, money, or help out with temple chores, known in Lao as
tambun (ທຳບຸນ, ทำบุญ, [tʰam bun]).
[edit] Animism
Main article: Animism in Laos

Animism is the native religion of most of the Mon–Khmer and more
recent Hmong–Mien and Tibeto-Burman minorities, as well as the
traditional religion of the Tais before Buddhism, although some Tai
tribes to this day are still animist. For the ethnic Lao, animism has
become interwoven with Buddhism and some Hindu elements. Despite
suppression at various points in time, it continues to be a large part
of Lao religious tradition.
A spirit house near Wat Kham Chanot, Udon Thani Province

Lao people believe in thirty-two spirits known as khwan (ຂວັນ, ขวัญ,
[kʰwan]) that protect the body, and basi (ບາສີ, [baː siː], ใบสี, [bɑj
siː]) ceremonies are undertaken during momentous occasions or times of
anxiety to bind the spirits to the body, as their absence is believed
to invite illness or harm. In addition, there are the other spirits,
known as phi (ຜີ, ผี, [pʰiː]); namely those that guard buildings or
territories, those that are of natural places, things or phenomenon;
ancestral spirits and other spirits that protect people; and
malevolent spirits. Guardian spirits of places, such as the phi wat
(ຜີວັດ, ผีวัด) of temples and the lak mueang (ຫລັກເມືອງ, หลักเมือง,
[lak mɯːaŋ]) of towns are celebrated with communal gatherings and
offerings of food.

In daily life, most people pay respect to the phi that reside in
spirit houses, who are thought to prect the vicinity from harm.
Offerings of flowers, incense, and candles are given, and the spirits
are consulted during changes or times of duress for protection and
assistance. Natural spirits include those that reside in trees,
mountains, or forests. Guardian spirits of people often include
ancestors or angelic-beings who arrive at various points in life,
better known as thewada. Malevolent spirits include those of people
who were bad in past lives or died tragic deaths, such as the ghastly
phi pob (ຜີປອບ, ผีปอบ) and the vampirical phi dip (ຜີດິບ, ผีดิบ). Some
of the phi are also include the indigenous, non-Hindu gods, the phi
thaen (ຜີແຖນ, ผีแถน) [22]

Spirit shamans (ໝໍຜີ,หมอผี) are locally trained people in the rituals
and in communication with their personal spirits and spirits in
general. Using trances, sacred objects imbued with supernatural power,
or saksit, possessions, and rituals like lam phi fa (ລຳຜີຟ້າ, ลำผีฟ้า,
[lam pʰiː faː]) or basi, the shaman is often consulted during times of
trouble, hauntings, and illness or other misfortune that might be
caused by malevolent or unhappy spirits. They are also usually present
during animist festivals.[23]
[edit] Hinduism
Main article: Hinduism in Southeast Asia
A statue of Lord Brahma (background) at a temple in Vientiane

Hinduism was the primary influence over much of the Khmer Empire, and
examples of Hindu themes can be found on their temples, such as Vat
Phou from that era.[24] Temples were often built over the sites of
ancient Hindu shrines, and statues or motifs of Hindu gods are
commonly found outside temples. Although important influences can be
traced to Hindu rituals, the Lao people are not as overtly influenced
by Hinduism as their neighbours the Tai Thai.

The Lao have adopted and adapted the Ramayana into the local version,
known as Phra Lak Phra Ram (ພຣະລັກພຣະຣາມ, พระลักษมณ์พระราม, [pʰaʔ lak
pʰaʔ laːm]). The Lao version was interwoven with the Lao creation myth
and is also, mistakenly, though of as a Jataka story so is held in
high esteem.[25] Many court dances were based on the events of the
story. Hinduism blended easily into both animism and Buddhism, so many
Hindu gods are considered Thaen and Buddhist monks have incorporated
much of Brahmanic rituals. Peculiar to Lao people are reverence for
Nāgas, snake-like demigods that rule the waterways.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Lao Cuisine
Main article: Lao cuisine
Main article: Cuisine of Thailand#Northeastern shared dishes
A dish of Tam mak hoong, ping gai, and khao nio, a very common Lao
meal.

The cuisine of Laos is similar to other regional cuisines such as Thai
and Cambodian cuisines, but has several unique distinguishing traits.
The cuisines of the Lao in Laos and Isan have diverged only minutely,
with the key differences is that Lao cuisine lacks the influences of
Thai cuisine and Isan cuisine lacks many of the Vietnamese and French
influences in Laos. Rice is the staple, and the main variety is
glutinous rice or khao nio (ເຂົ້າຫນຽວ, ข้าวเหนียว, [kʰàw nǐw]), which
is also a feature on Isan and Northern Thai tables. Although sometimes
replaced by noodles or other, less popular varieties of rice, it is
commonly served with an accompaniment of various dips and sauces, raw
vegetables, and several dishes that are shared together. Many dishes
are very spicy, fiered by the numerous varieties of chillies and made
pungent by the strong herbs and fermented fish sauces.[26]

The tropical climate and mountainous areas gives Laos a wide variety
of climates and also a rich bounty of edibles, so much of traditional
Lao cuisine is composed of vegetables and herbs gathered from the
wild, weeds from the rice fields, as well as vegetable plots. A rich
plethora of vegetable and fruit varieties are grown, including
cucumbers, gourds, cabbage, snakebeans, winged beans, yams, water
spinach, mangoes, pomelos, papayas, and sugarcane. Raw vegetables
often accompany a meal to help cool the tongue. The most popular meat
is freshwater fish, which is also used to make two flavourings, fish
sauce (ນ້ຳປາ, [nâm paː]) and padaek (ປາແດກ, ปาแดก, [paː dèːk]). Other
common meats include pork, chicken, duck, beef, eggs, water buffalo.
Protein intake includes a wide range of delicacies, including lizards,
insects, frogs, and wild deer that also come from the forests. Common
beverages are tea, coffee, and alcohol, including the native rice
wine, lao lao (ເຫລົ້າລາວ, เหล้าลาว, [làu láːw]). The cuisine is noted
for its use of mint and dill, relatively rare in surrounding cuisines,
and the relative absence, especially compared to Thai cuisine, of
Chinese and Indian influences, such as curries and stir-fry, and dry
spices such as cumin, coriander seeds, cinnamon, anise, or fennel.[27]
Main article: Lao culture

Laos is generally very rural areas, and most of the people support
themselves by agriculture, with rice being the most important crop.
[28] As inhabitants of river valleys and lowlands that have been long-
settled, ethnic Lao do not practise swidden agriculture like upland
peoples.
Main article: morlam

The traditional folk music is lam lao (ລຳລາວ, ลำลาว, [lám láːw]),
although it is also known as morlam (Lao: ໝໍລຳ, หมอลำ, [mɔ̌ːlám])
which is the preferred term in Isan language. Artists from Thailand
are also popular in Laos and vice versa, which has re-enforced Lao
culture in Isan despite heavy Thaification. The music is noted for the
use of the khene (Lao: ແຄນ, Isan: แคน, [kʰɛːn]) instrument.[29]
[edit] Subdivisions of the Lao people

In Laos, little distinction is made between the Lao and other closely
related Tai peoples with mutually intelligible languages who are
grouped together as Lao Loum or 'Lowland Lao' (Lao: ລາວລຸ່ມ láːu lūm ,
Thai: ลาวลุ่ม, IPA: laːw lum). Most of these groups share many common
cultural traits and speak dialects or languages that are very similar,
with only minor differences in tones, vocabulary, and pronunciation of
certain words, but usually not enough to impede conversation, but many
of these groups, such as the Nyaw and Phuthai consider themselves
distinct, and often have differences in clothing that differentiate
them.[30]
[edit] Popular culture

Laotian-American Badminton star Khan Malaythong, athlete. He
portrayed a Chinese badminton player in a Vitamin Water commercial
starring David Ortiz and Brian Urlacher and played in the 2008 Summer
Olympics in Beijing, China.
Kahn Souphanousinphone, a character from King of the Hill, along
with his family are famous for being the only cartoons who are Laotian-
descent.

[edit] See also
Asia portal

Canadians of Laotian descent
Laotian American
Laotians in France

[edit] References

^ Fairbank, J. K., Loewe, M., & Twitchett, D. C. (1986). The Ch'in
and Han Empires 221 B.C.-A.D. 220 . (1986). The Cambridge history of
china. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
^ Hawker, S., & Soares, C. (Ed.). (2008). Compact oxford english
dictionary of current english. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
^ Hayashi, Y. (2003). Practical Buddhism among the thai-lao:
religion in the making of a region. Melbourne, Australia: Trans
Pacific Press
^ Eliot Joshua et all. (2002). Laos Handbook. London: Footprint
Publishers.
^ Edmondson, J. A. (2007). The power of language over the past:
tai settlement and tai linguistics in southern china and northern
vietnam. Harris, J. G., Burusphat, S., Harris, J. (ed). Studies in
southeast asian linguistics. Bangkok: Ek Phim Thai Co. Ltd.
^ Church, P. (ed). (2006). A short history of South-East Asia.
Vol. XII. Singapore: John Wiley and Sons Asia.
^ Wyatt, D. K., (2003).
^ Simms, P., & Simms, S. (2001). The Kingdoms of laos. London, UK:
Curzon Press.
^ a b Askew, Marc, Logan, William, & Long, Colin. (2007).
Vientiane: transformations of a lao landscape. New York, NY:
Routledge.
^ Hattaway, Paul. (2004). Peoples of the Buddhist World: A
Christian Prayer Guide. Pasadena: William Carey Library.
^ Evans, G. (2002). A Short history of laos. Crows Nest, NSW:
Unwin and Hyman.
^ Weisburd, A. (1997). Use of Force: the practice of states since
world war ii. University Park, PA: Penn State Press.
^ Than, M., & Tan, LH. (1997). Laos' dilemmas and options: the
challenge of economic transition in the 1990s. Singapore: Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies.
^ Keyes, C. (1967). Isan: Regionalism in Northeastern Thailand.
New York: Cornell. Thailand Project.
^ Hayashi, Yukio. (2003). Practical Buddhism among the Thai-Lao.
Trans Pacific Press.
^ Dwyer, Denis, & Drakakis-Smith, D. (1996). Ethnicity and
development. Wiley.
^ เรืองเดช ปันเขื่อนขัติย์. (2531). ภาษาถิ่นตระกูลไทย. กทม.
สถาบันวิจัยภาษาและวัฒนธรรมเพื่อการพัฒนาชนบทมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล.
^ a b Lao pdr constitution. (1997). Retrieved from laoembassy.com
^ Draper, J. (2004). Isan: the planning context for language
maintenance and revitalization. Second Language Learning & Teaching,
IV. Retrieved from usq.edu.au
^ Cia-the world factbook: laos. (2010, January 05). Retrieved from
cia.gov
^ Lee, E. (2000). Working with asian americans: a guide for
clinicians. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
^ Poulsen, A. (2007). Childbirth and tradition in northeast
thailand. Copenhagen, Denmark: Nordic Inst of Asian
^ Walter, M., Fridman, E., Jacoby, J., & Kibbee, J. (2007).
Shamanism: an encyclopedia of world beliefs, practices, and culture.
Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc.
^ Freeman, M. (1996). A guide to khmer temples in thailand and
laos. Weatherhill.M. Freeman, A Guide to Khmer Temples in Thailand and
Laos. Weatherhill.
^ Richman, P. (1991). Many Rāmāyaṇas: the diversity of a narrative
tradition in South Asia. Los Angeles, CA: University of California
Press.
^ Fukui, H. (1994). Food and population in a northeast thai
village. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press.
^ Brissenden, R. (2003). Southeast asian food: classic and modern
dishes from indonesia, malaysia, singapore, thailand, laos, cambodia
and vietnam. Singapore: Periplus editions.
^ Mackill, D.J. et al. (1996) Rainfed Lowland Rice Improvement.
International Rice Research Institute. IRRI Publications: Manila.
^ Taylor, J.L. (1993). Forest Monks and the Nation-State: An
Anthropological and Historical Study in Northeastern Thailand.
Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
^ The Thai and Other Tai-Speaking Peoples

[edit] Other sources

Lao settlement patterns in the U.S.
Reports on languages spoken in Laos and Thailand, from
Ethnologue.com
Thongchai Winichakul. Siam Mapped. University of Hawaii Press,
1984. ISBN 0-8248-1974-8
Wyatt, David. Thailand: A Short History (2nd edition). Yale
University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-300-08475-7
Xaixana Champanakone "Lao Cooking and The Essence of Life".
Vientiane Publishing 2010. ISBN 978-9932-00-001-2

[edit] External links

Lao Government
Understanding Lao Culture
Lao people/culture/issues

[show]v · d · eEthnic groups in Cambodia by language family
[show]v · d · eEthnic groups in Laos by language family
[show]v · d · eEthnic groups in Thailand by language family
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[tzex...@msn.com]

Lao are either too dump to figure out what and where muong then is or
they are simply want to make belief diem bien phu their ancestor
heaven. The simple truth is muong then is Yunnan and muong xiang is
Guizhou. Nothing is beyond.

TZ

[cwjmem]

If Laos people consider TAI people is part of Lao people, then, I
think they have more than 10 millions. Shan state, Burma;
Sipsongpana, China; Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam; Laos; Issan, Thailand; and
some of them are in northern India too. Not counting Lao people in
the West.

[ພັນພືດ]

Stupid Cwjmen,

You always consider more intelligent but in fact you are a nut.

The total number of North Eastern region of Thailand, the Isarn
people, is 20,759,900 according to a Census http://web.nso.go.th/pop2000/table/eadv_tab1.pdf
and if you consider that the Northerners such as people in Chiangmai,
Chiangrai among other are Lanna or a kind of cousin of Lao, than you
have to add on more than ten millions more.

Bye bye

[cwjmem]

On Oct 7, 2:17 am, ພັນພືດ <phanph...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Stupid Cwjmen,
>
> You always consider more intelligent but in fact you are a nut.
>
> The total number of North Eastern region of Thailand, the Isarn

> people, is 20,759,900 according to a Censushttp://web.nso.go.th/pop2000/table/eadv_tab1.pdf

> and if you consider that the Northerners such as people in Chiangmai,
> Chiangrai among other are Lanna or a kind of cousin of Lao, than you
> have to add on more than ten millions more.
>
> Bye bye

Oh yeah...dictator commie wannabe ພັນພືດ!!!

Issan and Thai Neua don't want to be part of your commie people. They
call themselves Thai Neua (Chiangmai), Thai Issan, and Thai Phuans.
Folks in Sipsongpana called themselve Tai, folks in Burma call
themselves Shan people. Even Lao people in Laos who speak Lao native
Language are claiming themselves separately from Lao people, such as
Tai, Lao Phuan. That leave the die hard commie Laotians less than 50%
of the total population...do the math...

[commander Serk , military spokesperson for United ethnic Chinese Wa Army of Shan state of East Myanmar]

weren ' t the Thai Issan people of Chinese origin ?

n Oct 7, 4:17 pm, ພັນພືດ <phanph...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Stupid Cwjmen,
>
> You always consider more intelligent but in fact you are a nut.
>
> The total number of North Eastern region of Thailand, the Isarn

> people, is 20,759,900 according to a Censushttp://web.nso.go.th/pop2000/table/eadv_tab1.pdf

[commander Serk , military spokesperson for United ethnic Chinese Wa Army of Shan state of East Myanmar]

Sipsonpana was created by the Burmese .

Lao was also under the Burmese control

[l...@laoclub.zzn.com]

Phoun is location, Muong, or Kingdom not ethnicity. Same goes with
word Tai, this means people. The only people should be considered Tai
ethnic are pinong Tai Dam. The Siamese don't understant Lao latnguage
and when they hear Lao people call either Tai this then Tai that ,
they assume that ethnic.

On Oct 7, 11:40 am, cwjmem <cwj...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Oct 7, 2:17 am, ພັນພືດ <phanph...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Stupid Cwjmen,
>
> > You always consider more intelligent but in fact you are a nut.
>
> > The total number of North Eastern region of Thailand, the Isarn
> > people, is 20,759,900 according to a Censushttp://web.nso.go.th/pop2000/table/eadv_tab1.pdf
> > and if you consider that the Northerners such as people in Chiangmai,
> > Chiangrai among other are Lanna or a kind of cousin of Lao, than you
> > have to add on more than ten millions more.
>
> > Bye bye
>
> Oh yeah...dictator commie wannabe ພັນພືດ!!!
>

> Issan and Thai Neua don't want to be part of yiour commie people. They

[cwjmem]

On Oct 8, 8:30 pm, "l...@laoclub.zzn.com" <l...@laoclub.zzn.com>
wrote:

> Phoun is location, Muong, or Kingdom not ethnicity. Same goes with
> word Tai, this means people. The only people should be considered Tai
> ethnic are pinong Tai Dam. The Siamese don't understant Lao latnguage
> and when they hear Lao people call either Tai this then Tai that ,
> they assume that ethnic.

Yeah, I understand that. Lao people use Thai (Tai) in a way to define
its ethnicity, but Thai people see it differently!!! (Thai Lue, Thai
Dam, Thai Phuan etc.)

[l...@laoclub.zzn.com]

cwjmem, I'm Tai Phoun too. But like I said, Tai Phoun is not ethnic.
It the same for people from Luang Prabang call themselve Thai Muong
Luang. Tai Lue is ethnic Lue, they used to called themselve Lue
according to Chinese sources. Wakipedia is not trustworthy source from
my opinions since anyone can edit the information here. There are
evidence that Lao were the Yue in 3rd century AD, there are much more
information about Lao.