| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| SouthernThailand | |
| Languages | |
| Urak Lawoi’,Malay,Thai | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional religion,Theravada Buddhism,Islam |
Urak Lawoi (Malay:Orang Laut;Thai:อูรักลาโว้ย;RTGS: Urak Lawoi) are anaboriginal Austronesian people residing on the islands ofPhuket,Phi Phi,Jum,Lanta, Bulon and onLipe andAdang, in theAdang Archipelago,[1] off the western coast ofThailand. They are known by various names, includingOrak Lawoiʼ,Lawta,Chao Tha Le (ชาวทะเล),Chao Nam (ชาวน้ำ), andLawoi.
The population of approximately 6,000 speak a language related closely toMalay but influenced byThai.[2] The Urak Lawoi are one of several Austronesian ethnicities referred to as "Sea Gypsies" (chao leh in Thai).[3] The local way of life has been changing rapidly in recent years, due to the rapid encroachment of themarket economy, and the opening ofTarutao National Marine Park.[1] They have largely not benefited from the tourism boom on Ko Lipe, where in many cases families were forced from their land by both legal and illegal means. In 2022, it was reported that 125 families, or half of the Urak Lawoi community on Lipe had lost the legal title to their land, and were illegally occupying it, leading to conflict with resort operators and developers.[4][needs update]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
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