Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thai, Lao Thoeng and Lao Soung - roughly defined by the altitude at which they live and
their cultural proclivities. The Lao government has an alternative three-way split, in which
the Lao Thai are condensed into the Lao Loum group. This triumvirate is represented on
the back of every 1000 kip bill, in national costume, from left to right: Lao Soung, Lao
Loum and Lao Thoeng.
Foreign ethnographers carrying out field research in Laos have identified anywhere from 49 to
132 different ethnic groups.
Thai
Thais make up about 75% of the population of Thailand, although this group is commonly
broken down into four subgroups: Central Thais or Siamese who inhabit the Chao Phraya
delta, the Thai Lao of northeastern Thailand, the Pak Thai of southern Thailand, and
northern Thais. Each group speaks its own dialect and to a certain extent practises cus-
toms unique to its region. Politically and economically, the Central Thais are the dominant
group, although they barely outnumber the Thai Lao.
FACE IT
Face, or more importantly the art of not making the locals lose face, is an important concept to under-
stand in Asia. Face is all in Asia, and in the Mekong region it is above all. Having 'big face' is syn-
onymous with prestige. All families, even poor ones, are expected to have big wedding parties and
throw their money around like it is water in order to gain face. This is often ruinously expensive, but
that is far less important than 'losing face'. And it is for this reason that foreigners should never lose
their tempers with the locals; this will bring unacceptable 'loss of face' to the individual involved and
end any chance of a sensible solution to the dispute. Take a deep breath and keep your cool. If things
aren't always going according to plan, remember that in countries like Cambodia and Laos, tourism is
a relatively new industry.
Minority Groups
There are many other important minority groups in the region, some rendered stateless by
the conflicts of the past, others recent migrants to the region, including the many hill
tribes.
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