Prai people

Phai

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

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]

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] [ better source needed ]}

References

1. Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 1: Introduction and Overview. White Lotus. p. 171.
2. Ethnologue report for Laos
3. Frank Proschan. "A Survey of Khmuic and Palaungic Languages in Laos and Vietnam" (PDF). Pan-Asiatic Linguistics. 3: 895–919, at pp. 896, 898.
4. Schliesinger, Joachim, Ethnic Groups of Laos, vol. 2, ISBN   974-480-036-4
5. Jordan-Diller, K; Diller, FJ (2004). "The Prai of Northern Thailand: A sociolinguistic survey of a Mon-Khmer language". Mon-Khmer Studies .