The Lao Khrang (, , ; endonym: ) are a sub-group of the
Lao ethnic group
An ethnicity or ethnic group is a group of people with shared attributes, which they collectively believe to have, and long-term endogamy. Ethnicities share attributes like language, culture, common sets of ancestry, traditions, society, re ...
. Also known as the Tai Khrang (), they speak a dialect of the
Lao language
Lao (Lao: , ), sometimes referred to as Laotian, is the official language of Laos and a significant language in the Isan region of northeastern Thailand, where it is usually referred to as the Isan language. Spoken by over 3 million people in ...
that is not too different from the modern Lao/Isan languages of Laos and
Isan. The Lao Khrang should not be confused with the Tai Khang (spelt the same as 'Thai Krang' in Thai) who are a closely related people inhabiting northeastern Laos.
Location
The Lao Khrang are spread out throughout Western and Central Thailand, especially the provinces of
Phichit,
Suphanburi,
Uthai Thani,
Chai Nat,
Phitsanulok,
Kamphaeng Phet,
Nakhon Pathom and
Nakhon Sawan.
History
The Lao Khrang are descendants of Lao people from
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang (Lao language, Lao: wikt:ຫຼວງພະບາງ, ຫຼວງພະບາງ, pronounced ), historically known as Xieng Thong (ຊຽງທອງ) and alternatively spelled Luang Phabang or Louangphabang, is the capital of Lu ...
and
Houaphanh provinces who were enslaved by invading
Siamese soldiers after the fall of the last remnant kingdoms of
Lan Xang. The Lao Khrang were settled in the rich farmlands of Central Thailand to work as farm labourers to increase food production for the army and capital. Aside from their geographic isolation, the cultural traits and language of the Lao Khrang give away their ancestors' traditional homeland.
Religion and culture
The Lao Khrang are
Theravada Buddhists, but also maintain older
animist beliefs. Especially revered is the tutelary spirit of the village, the ''hu chao nei''. Traditional activities include farming, as well as making a red dye from beetles used to stain textiles, hence the namesake ''krang'' or 'lac'. Traditionally, marriages were only between members of the same group.
References
*Hattaway, Paul. (2004). Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Guide. Pasadena: William Carey Library.
{{Ethnic groups in Thailand
Tai peoples
Ethnic groups in Thailand