Ethnic groups in Thailand

Ethnolinguistic groups of Thailand

Thailand is a country with many distinct ethnic groups, just like other countries, including the majority Thai and numerous hill tribes living primarily in the mountains of the north. The Thai (or ethnic Tai) and Chinese make up approximately 90% of the nation's population of approximately 67.5 million.

Thailand's population is relatively homogeneous, with more than 98% speaking a Tai language and sharing a common culture. This core population includes ethic Thai (50%), Chinese or partly Chinese (40%), and Malay (5%).

Alphabetical list

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

1. Akha
2. Bru
3. Cham
4. Chinese (primarily Chaozhou and Hakka)
5. Chong
6. Hmong
7. Karen
8. Khmer
9. Khmu
10. Kuy
11. Lahu
12. Lanna (Northern Thai)
13. Lao
14. Lawa
15. Lisu
16. Lolo (Yi)
17. Lü (Tai Lü)
18. Lua
19. Malay
20. Mani (Negrito)
21. Mlabri
22. Moken
23. Mon
24. Nyahkur (Nyah Kur, Chao-bon)
25. Palaung (De'ang)
26. Pear
27. Phai
28. Phu Thai
29. Phuan
30. Saek
31. Sa'och
32. Shan
33. So
34. Southern Thai
35. Tai Dam (Black Tai)
36. Tai Nüa
37. Thai
38. Urak Lawoi
39. Vietnamese
40. Yao/Iu Mien

Listed by language group

• Tai–Kadai – Lanna (Northern Thai), Lao, Lü (Tai Lü), Phu Thai, Saek, Shan, Southern Thai, Tai Dam (Black Tai), Tai Nüa, Thai
• Mon–Khmer – Bru, Khmer, Khmu, Kuy, Lawa, Lua, Mani, Mlabri, Mon, Nyahkur (Nyah Kur, Chao-bon), Palaung (De'ang), Phai, So
• Sino-Tibetan
  • Chinese – Chinese
  • Tibeto-Burman - Akha, Karen, Lahu, Lisu, Lolo (Yi)
• Malayo-Polynesian – Cham, Malay, Moken, Urak Lawoi
• Hmong–Mien – Hmong, Yao/Iu Mien

See also

• Demographics of Thailand

External links

• Ethnologue report for Thailand