Tai Lu People : Who are they? Let’s get to know them.

One of the most lovely things in Thailand is ethnic group. Yes. There are many ethnic groups inhabited in Thailand. Each group has different specialty and culture. Their lives are worthy of learning about and that will be your valuable knowledge.

And one of the most-founded ethnic group in Thailand, is ‘Tai Lu People’.

Who are Tai Lu People anyway?

Of course, they’re an ethnic group. They originated from Xishuangbanna of China and has their own language, which make they look sweet and charming. Also, their costumes and traditions are quite unique.

The History of Tai Lu 

Tai Lu People evacuated from a town called Lu Chaeng to Nhong Sae, or Khun Ming in nowadays. Then they moved to Khong River, Xishuangbanna.

They lived on the west and the east of Khong River. Their inhabitance were divided into different towns.

The West: Chiang Roong, Muang Hum, Muang Chae, Muang Lu, Muang Luang, Muang Hun, Muang Pan, Muang Cheng Cheng, Muang Hai, Muang Chiang Lo, Muang Mang.

The East: Muang La, Muang Ban, Muang Wan, Muang Hing, Muang Pang, Muang La, Muang Wang, Muang Pong, Muang Yuan, Muang Mang, Muang Chiang Tong.

However, at some point, Chao Fah Attawarapanyo, a ruler of Nan, decided to bring his army to move Tai Lu People from Xishuangbanna to Nan Town and some parts of Laos instead. Same as Chao Suriyapong, another ruler of Nan, ,during his period, he also used his army to moved Tai Lu People from Xishuangbanna to Nan Town.

The Present Day of Tai Lu 

Now, Tai Lu People can be found in…

• Myanmar, somewhere around Muang Yong, Muang Yoo, Muang Luai, Muang Chiang Lab, Muang Rau, Muang Pa Yak, Muang Ko, Muang Ton, Muang Len, Chiang Tung
• Laos, somewhere around Tham Ta Capital City, Phu Ka Capital City, Bo Kaew Town, Chaiburi, Luang Phra Bang
• Thailand, somewhere around Chiangrai, Chiangmai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Lampang, Phrae, Nan
• Vietnam, somewhere around Muang Thaen

But here we will emphasise Thailand. We will seek for further details of Tai Lu People in Thailand.

Here are counties of every provinces in Thailand that are inhabited by the people.

• Chiang Rai: Wiang Kaen, Mae Sai, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Phan(**Tai Lu in this county evacuated from Lampang.)
• Chiang Mai: Sa Moeng, Doi Saked, San Khampaeng, Mae On
• Nan: There are lots of Tai Lu People in the provinces. So, we will talk about this most specific.

Ta Wang Pha : In this county of Nan, there are 5 villages of Tai Lu People who evacuated from Muang La, consisting of Ban Nhong Bua, Ban Don Kaew, Ban Ton Hang, Ban Don Moon, and Ban Hae. There are other 5 villages of Tai Lu People who evacuated from Chiang Lab and Muang Yong, consisting of Ban Lom Klang, Ban Tung Khong, Ban Chiang Yuen, Ban Siao, Ban Nhong Chang Daeng. There are also other 5 villages of Tai Lu People who evacuated from Muang Yong and Muang Yoo, consisting of Ban Thon, Thon Song, Ban Yoo, Ban Yoo Nua, Ban Yoo Tai.

Pua : Most of Tai Lu People in Nan Province live this this county. Their villages consist of Ban Don Chai, Ban Tung Rattana(both evacuated from Muang Yong), Ban Pa Tong, Ban Na Kham, Ban Tun Sri Boon Yuen(all evacuated from Muang Len), Ban Don Chai, Ban Fai, Ban Hua Nam, Ban Teen Tok, Ban Hia, Ban Hua Doi(all from Chiangroong, Muang Len, Muang Yong, Muang Ngoen, and Muang Puan), Ban Ket, Ban Rong Ngae, Ban Don Kaew, Ban Mon(all from Muang Lin and Muang Yong of Myanmar), Ban Khon, Ban Pa Lan(all from Muang Khon, Muang Yong, and Muang Puan), Ban Don Kaew(from Muang Yong and Muang Puan), Ban Prang(from Muang Yong), Ban Na Pan, Ban Santisuk(both from Muang Yong, Chiang Lab, Muang La, Muang Ngoen). In fact, there are still many more villages, at least about 20 villages, inhabited by Tai Lu People.

Other counties are Chiang Klang, Dong Kwae, and Tung Chang.

So, if you’re in Thailand, be sure to travel to Nan and visit any of these village, in order to learn how they live. With that, you will have a valuable knowledge to give to your children and grandchildren.