Northern Khmer people
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Eastern Trat, Chanthaburi | |
| Languages | |
| Thai, Northern Khmer | |
| Religion | |
 Theravada Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mon, Wa, and other Mon–Khmer groups |
The Northern Khmer people, also known in Thai as Thai-Khmer people (Thai: ไทยเชื้อสายเขมร lit. "Thais of Khmer descent"),[1] is the designation used to refer to ethnic Khmers native to the Isan region of Northeast Thailand.
History
Khmers have had a presence in this area since at least the time of the Khmer Empire.[2] With the fall of the Angkor, the Khmers of the Isan region were subject to increasing Thai influence. In the 18th century, Thailand officially annexed the former Cambodian province of Surin. The Khmer residents became de facto subjects of the Thai monarchy and a long process of cultural assimilation began.
Culture
Although now a minority, the Northern Khmer have maintained some of their Khmer identity, practicing the Khmer form of Theravada Buddhism and speaking a dialect of the Khmer language known as Khmer Surin in Khmer or Northern Khmer in English. Few Northern Khmers are able to read or write their native language[3] due to Thaification policies either enacted or encouraged by the Thai government.
Thai language instruction in public schools has resulted in many of the younger generation being more comfortable using Thai as a medium of communication. Recent renewed interest in Khmer language and culture has resulted in a two-fold increase in the usage of Northern Khmer since 1958.[4]
Notable Thai-Khmers
- Suvadhana — Princess Consort to the King Vajiravudh of Siam. (Khmer descent from Battambang)
- Khuang Abhaiwongse — 4th Prime Minister of Thailand. (Khmer descent from Battambang)
- Nga Caravan (Surachai Chanthimathorn) — The lead vocalist and songwriter of the band Caravan. (Northern Khmer descent from Surin)
References
- ↑ Cuam and the Beliefs of the Thai-Khmer
- ↑ Thai People In Northeastern Thailand (Isan)
- ↑ "Khmer Surin Get Support from US Group"; VoA; 23 December 2010
- ↑ Smalley, William A. (1988). Language Sciences. Volume 10, Issue 2, 1988. Multilingualism in the Northern Khmer population of Thailand. New Haven, CT. pp. 395–408. doi:10.1016/0388-0001(88)90023-X.
External links
- Thailand’s Khmer as ‘Invisible Minority’: Language, Ethnicity and Cultural Politics in North-Eastern Thailand
- Kandrum (Kantreum) Folk Performers
- Ethnic Khmer Festival in Thailand
- Thai-Cambodia fighting disrupts border ties
- Puangthong Rungswasdisab, Thailand's Response to the Cambodian Genocide; insights on Thailand's foreign policy towards its neighboring countries
- World Directory of Minorities - Mon and Khmer
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