Lao Wiang

Lao Wieng

Regions with significant populations
Thailand
Languages
Lao, Thai
Religion
Theravada Buddhism

The Lao Wieng (Thai: ลาวเวียง, IPA laːw wiːaŋ), are a Tai sub-ethnic group of the Isan region. Of the approximately 50,000 proclaimed Lao Wieng live in villages throught the region, especially the provinces of Prachinburi, Udon Thani, Nahkon Pathom, Chai Nat, Lopburi, Saraburi, Phetchaburi and Roi Et with a significant number in Bangkok as migrant labourers or in search of better economic opportunities.

Alternate Names

The Lao Wieng are also referred to as Tai Wieng (ไทยเวียง), Lao Vientiane (ลาวเวียงจันทน์), Tai Vientiane (ไทยเวียงจันทน์) or simply as Wieng (เวียง). These names are also used in Laos to refer to the inhabitants of Vientiane or its descendants in Thailand. Many who are in fact Lao Wieng may only consider themselves Isan or Lao.

History

The Lao Wieng, as their name suggests, are descendants of Lao people from the Vientiane region (Thai: เวียงจันทน์) in modern-day Laos. After the fall of Lanxang, the three successor kingdoms were over-run by Siam and forced population transfers by the Siamese into Isan were undertaken. Much of Isan was settled this way, and is one of the main reasons for the shared Lao culture of Laos and Isan. Originally slaves and forced into providing corvée labour, the Lao Wieng were freed and integrated into the general Isan population.

Culture

The Lao Wieng are a sub-group of the general Isan (ethnic Lao of northeastern Thailand) distinguished from other Isan people by the location of their ancestors. Most have assumed either Thai or Isan identity, but some maintain their distinctiveness. Like their neighbours, they share Theravada Buddhism, Isan language, and rice farming, with only slight differences in traditional clothing and dialect.