| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 53,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Thailand | |
| Languages | |
| Lao,Thai | |
| Religion | |
| Theravada Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Lao,Thai, otherTai groups. |
TheLao Khrang (Thai:ลาวครั่ง,RTGS: Lao Khrang,pronounced[lāːwkʰrâŋ]; endonym:[láːwkʰāŋ]) are a sub-group of theLaoethnic group. Also known as theTai Khrang (Thai:ไทครั่ง), they speak a dialect of theLao language that is not too different from the modern Lao/Isan languages of Laos andIsan. The Lao Khrang should not be confused with the Tai Khang (spelt the same as 'Thai Krang' in Thai) who are a closely related people inhabiting northeastern Laos.
The Lao Khrang are spread out throughout Western and Central Thailand, especially the provinces ofPhichit,Suphanburi,Uthai Thani,Chai Nat,Phitsanulok,Kamphaeng Phet,Nakhon Pathom andNakhon Sawan.
The Lao Khrang are descendants of Lao people fromLuang Prabang andHouaphanh provinces who were enslaved by invadingSiamese soldiers after the fall of the last remnant kingdoms ofLan Xang. The Lao Khrang were settled in the rich farmlands of Central Thailand to work as farm labourers to increase food production for the army and capital. Aside from their geographic isolation, the cultural traits and language of the Lao Khrang give away their ancestors' traditional homeland.
The Lao Khrang areTheravada Buddhists, but also maintain olderanimist beliefs. Especially revered is the tutelary spirit of the village, thehu chao nei. Traditional activities include farming, as well as making a red dye from beetles used to stain textiles, hence the namesakekrang or 'lac'. Traditionally, marriages were only between members of the same group.