Minority people (Thailand)

On this page a picture of every major minority group in Thailand can be found. The six big groups of minorities are the Akha, Yao, Hmong, Lisu, Lahu and Karen.

Each of these tribes have their own clothing, languages and culture. In every main category subgroups exist. For example the Karen Long Necks are a branch of the Karen population.

Whole books can be written about each minority and they are very interesting to study indeed, most of all for their typical culture.

The population of those minorities can be set upon 1 million in Thailand. They live mostly in the mountainous North of Thailand or near the border with Myanmar. But most of these ethnic groups are quite widespread and can also be found in Myanmar, Laos, China, Vietnam,...

1 October 2005

Akha lady showing some beetle nut

The Akhas are a Sino-Tibetan tribe and would have migrated through China all to way to Thailand. This tribe is also found in China and is called Hani over there. The Akha ladies have a special costume embroided with a lot of silver. In the past these ladies carried all their possessions on their hats while working in the fields.

Akhas are the less developed minority of Thailand and old beliefs still are an important part of their life. For example Akhas will ritually kill black dogs and stew them so as to get magical powers.

8 June 2006

Yao lady selling her trades

The Yao tribe in Thailand is a descendant from the Yaos in China. Nowadays they are well-know for their excellent broidery. Normally the Yao women will work several weeks and months to refine their trades and for their own ceremonial dresses they can work op to one year! In the past they Yaos were one of the tribes which produced the most quantities of opium in China, Thailand and Laos.

Yao people are very well integrated in Thailand and live a quite modern life. Yaos can even be found in the U.S. because they became recognised fugitives during the Laotian civil war.

9 March 2006

Older Hmong ladies chatting

The Hmong tribe is a very widespread one and can be found in Vietnam and Laos, they are a sub branch of the Miao in China. The Hmong ladies also produce fine pieces of broidery. Most of the Hmong in Thailand are polygamist, which means the man can have different women, if he can sustain them.

9 December 2007

A Lisu woman working

The Lisu are Sino-Tibetan tribe and have their origins in Tibet and migrated through Yunnan to Thailand. In Yunnan, China, a lot of Lisu can still be found. The Lisu are probably one of the most colourful tribes and their bags sell very well to tourists. Most of the Lisu are Catholic as they were converted by Christian missionaries.

4 April 2007

Red Lahu in their shop

Same as the Lisu the Lahu also come from the Tibetan regions and Lahu can be found as a minority of China. In Thailand these people are called Muser, which means "hunter", obviously the man are good at hunting. Lahu don't work with the systems of tribes but with kins. So the kin is formed by familial relations.

10 October 2006

Karen Long Ear

The Karen are fugitives from Myanmar, where they have their own state and fight against the government. It is the biggest minority in Thailand and has a lot of sub branches. Karen people live in close harmony with nature and most of the elephant camps in Thailand are run by Karen.