According to the Tribal Research Institute, there are now in Thailand, mainly in the north of the country, nearly 1.5 million people from minority ethnic groups (tribes). In total, 38 different groups have been counted, ranging from tens of thousands to just a few dozen. Each has its own culture, history, language and tradition, although it is possible to define neighborhoods in terms of language and origin. Among the many ethnic groups, one can distinguish six main tribes (listed here in order of importance):

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KAREN

The Karen are from Southwest China they have left to settle in neighboring Burma. It is in the 18th century they began arriving in the mountains of northern Thailand. If some of them then fled the area and fighting between Thai and Burmese to settle in central and eastern Thailand, the vast majority of Karen now lives in the west of the country along the Burmese border. It is the largest ethnic group in Thailand. It now has approximately 500,000 individuals. Living mainly in the valley or at low altitude, the Karens growing mainly rice, fruits and vegetables and raise few pigs, buffaloes and chickens. The traditional dress of women is a sarong accompanied with an embroidered waistcoat or V-shape blouse.

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HMONG

The Hmong are about 200,000 in Thailand today. As Karen, they are from northern China (where they already lived 3000 years ago) but arrived in Thailand after living in Laos. During the Indochina War they also were the main Indochinese forces fighting for the French side. Established in altitude villages (usually about 1000-1500m high), they grow corn, rice and fruits, alternative crops to poppy which they were heavily involved in before it was banned in the mid-twentieth century. The traditional dress of the women consists of a pleated cotton or hemp skirt, apron and a velvet jacket decorated with geometric motifs and adorned with braids.

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LAHU

Main tribe (about 120,000 people) of the Tibeto-Burman ethnic group which also includes the Akha and Lisu, Lahu share a similar language, close socio-cultural characteristics and a common origin with those tribes. They left China in the 18th century, where they were living in the province of Yunnan, to go first to Burma then Thailand. They mainly live in the extreme north from the province of Mae Hong Son to the Golden Traingle along the Burmese border. Often installed over 1000m high in mountains, Lahu grow rice and corn after cultivating poppy for decades. They also have livestock. On the occasion of certain festivals (New Year in January and February for example), women are weraing a traditional costume consisting of a jacket and a sarong embroidered with geometric shapes.

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AKHA

As the majority of ethnic minorities in Thailand, Akha are originally from the south-western China (Yunnan). Before arriving at the beginning of the previous century, they settled in Burma. The majority of them also stayed there. Burma has approximately 350,000 Akha against just over 70,000 for Thailand. Originally installed along the Nam Kok River the majority of villages are found in low or medium altitude in the region of Chiang Rai. Akha traditional dress is especially beautiful and typical. It is recognizable to a cap of different shape, conical or round, inlaid buttons, coins, beads and tassels. The rest of the outfit consists of a jacket and a belt embellished with embroidered leggings and black skirt.

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YAO

As the Hmong, Yao are from Southwest China and settled in Thailand from Laos. Settled in the provinces of Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi, they began their migration to the south in the 19th century. Arrived a century later in Thailand, they are mostly located in the north-west, near Laos. Their villages are generally above 1000m high and never below a village of another tribe. For the new year and holidays the women wear many silver jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, chains, pendants). They also take the opportunity to wear their traditional dress especially recognizable by a long turban and a bright red boa.

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LISU

Smallest ethnic group among the six main tribes in Thailand (40,000), the Lisu arrived in the North in the second half of the 20th century. They began cultivating poppy and then focus on the slash and burn farming in altitude (rice, maize, potatoes, beans). Men are deemed very good hunters. Mostly found along the Burmese border between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai, Lisu villages are located at 1000m high near rivers. Lisu traditional dress consists of a black skirt and a large tunic with recognizable orange bands at the neck and shoulders. At parties women also wear a velvet waistcoat adorned with hundreds of silver buttons and a distinctive red cap.

Sources : Tribal Research Institute / Les Tribus montagnardes (Emmanuel PERVE) / Ethnic groups of Thailand (J. Schlieinger)