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The Different Thai Hill Tribes, Part 1 Posted by on Dec 25, 2011 in Beginner, Culture, Intermediate

There are many different hill tribes in Thailand, so the purpose of the next series of posts is to help you learn how to identify each. The below chart lists the names of several major tribes in order of population in Thailand. Most Thai’s do not know the names of each, nor the difference between each, of the various hill tribe groups. So this would only be useful information if you found yourself in a conversation about them.

The listed population is that of only in Thailand, where as world population of the various tribes is often significantly higher. As there is no population census conducted for these tribes, you’ll find various differing estimates on the web. The below estimated population figures are not to be considered definitive in any sense. This is only a short list, whereas there are many other tribes located in Thailand. Some even number less than a thousand.

Thai Name Pronunciation Alt. Name Pronunciation English Name Population notes
กะเหรี่ยง ga2riang2 Karen 450,000 has written language
ม้ง mong4 แม้ว maew4 Hmong 150,000 mostly refugees from Laos
ลาหู่ laa1huu2 มูเซอ muu1ser1 Lahu 100,000 wears towel on head
อ่าข่า aa2kaa2 อีก้อ ee1gaw3 Akha 80,000 the alt. name is derogatory
ลีซู lee1suu1 Lisu 50,000 Tibetan descent
เย้า yao4 เมี่ยน mien2 Yao 40,000 Chinese descent
ลัวะ la4wa4 Lua 17,000
ดาราอั้ง daa1raa1 ang3 ปะหล่อง ba2lawng2 Dara-ang 8,000

The different groups each have their own traditional outfits, helping you to distinguish between them. However, most only wear these outfits for special occasions like weddings, holidays, and tourist photos, while choosing to wear more western clothing for day-to-day activities. Even within the individual tribes there are sub-tribes that dress very differently, too. As such, this guide will not be all-inclusive. Images linked from other sites do not belong to me, while images served/linked here do. Also, note that google image search mixes up the tribes, so do not use it as a guide unless I specify otherwise.

to be continued…

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Comments:

  1. JeJe:

    there is a mistake concerning Akha tribe, อ่าข่า is not ee1gaw3.
    (you can delete that comment if you can correct the article)

  2. palmisano:

    oops, thanks, I’ve made the correction . . .