Prai people
The Phai are an ethnic group in Thailand and Laos. They are one of two sub-groups of the Lua people (the other one being the Mal).[1]
Total population | |
---|---|
51,000 | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Laos, Thailand | |
Languages | |
Phai; Lao and/or Thai as second languages | |
Religion | |
Animism, Theravada Buddhism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Mal |
Name Variation
The Phai are also commonly referred to as Prai, Phay, Thung Chan Pray, Kha Phay,[2] and Pray.[3] In Laos they are also referred to as Htin.[4]
Language
The Phai speak a language also called Phai, which belongs to the Khmuic branch of Austroasiatic languages[2] There are several dialects called Phai, that are sometimes hardly mutually intelligible.
Geographic Distribution
- Population in Laos: 15,000 in Phongsali and Xaignabouli Provinces[2]
There are also dozens of Prai villages in Thailand.[5]
References
- Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 1: Introduction and Overview. White Lotus. p. 171.
- Ethnologue report for Laos
- Frank Proschan. "A Survey of Khmuic and Palaungic Languages in Laos and Vietnam" (PDF). Pan-Asiatic Linguistics. 3: 895–919, at pp. 896, 898.
- Schliesinger, Joachim, Ethnic Groups of Laos, vol. 2, ISBN 974-480-036-4
- Jordan-Diller, K; Diller, FJ (2004). "The Prai of Northern Thailand: A sociolinguistic survey of a Mon-Khmer language". Journal of Mon-Khmer Studies.
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