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Thailand and The Dialects
59,605,000. 93.5% Daic languages, 2% Austro-Asiatic
languages, 2% Austronesian languages, 1% Tibeto-Burman languages, 0.2% Miao-Yao
languages. Kingdom of Thailand, Muang Thai or Prathet Thai. Literacy rate 89%.
Buddhist, Muslim, Chinese traditional religion, Christian, tribal traditional
religion. Blind population 210,000. Deaf institutions: 22. The number of
languages for Thailand is 76. AKHA (KAW, EKAW, KO, AKA, IKAW, AK'A, AHKA, KHAKO,
KHA KO, KHAO KHA KO, IKOR, AINI, YANI) 25,000 in Thailand Chiangmai, Chiangrai,
Mae Hong son provinces BISU (MBISU, MIBISU) 1,000 or fewer in Southwest
Chiangrai, North Lampang. Two main villages, the largest with 100 houses BLANG
(SEN CHUN, HKAWA, KAWA, K'WA, K'ALA, BULANG, PULANG, PULA, PLANG, WA, KHON DOI,
KONTOI) 1,200 in Thailand Chiangrai; 1,000 live outside Mae Sai near the
northern border. About 200 live west of Bangkok and work in gardens. The
Thailand group came from Sipsong panna, Yunnan, China, stayed in Myanmar for a
while, and has been in Thailand since 1974. There are 6 to 10 dialects
represented in one refugee village in Thailand. In Thailand they call themselves
'Khon Doi', 'mountain folk'. Samtao is a different language, probably Angku. 25%
to 50% literate. Horticulturists. Hinayana Buddhist, some Christian. BRU, (BRUU,
B'RU, BARU). Ubon, 2 villages on Mae khong River; Sakorn Nakorn. 80% literate.
Work in progress. CHAM, WESTERN (CAMBODIAN CHAM, TJAM, CHAM, NEW CHAM) 4,000 in
Thailand; Ban Khrue, Bangkok, and possibly in refugee camps The language differs
somewhat from Eastern Cham of central Viet Nam. They have an old
Devanagari-based script. Austro-Asiatic influences. There are conflicting
reports about whether the people in Thailand still speak Cham or have shifted to
Central Thai. Recognized fairly recently as Cham. They are thought to be
remnants of Cham who fought in the Thai army about 200 years ago. CHINESE,
HAKKA (HAKKA) 58,800 in Thailand, 1% of Chinese-speaking Chinese in Thailand
whereas 12.1% of the population are ethnic Chinese, of whom 80% are
Thai-speaking CHINESE, MANDARIN 5,880 in Thailand, 0.1% of the Chinese
population in Bangkok, provincial towns, and Kra Peninsula in the south. Mainly
in China., Chinese. Dialect: HO (HAW, CIN HAW, YUNNANESE, WESTERN MANDARIN, HUI,
HUI-TZE, HWEI, PANGHSE, PANTHA, PANTHE, and PATHEE). Chinese folk religion; Hui:
CHINESE, MIN DONG (EASTERN MIN) Also in China. Chinese. Dialect: FUZHOU
(FUCHOW, FOOCHOW CHINESE, MIN NAN (MIN NAN, MINNAN) 18.4% of Chinese-speaking
population in Thailand, including Chaochow (18%), Fujian (0.3%), Hainanese
(0.1%) Chinese. Dialects: CHAOZHOU (CHAOCHOW, TIUCHIU, TEOCHOW, TECHU), SHANTOU
(SWATOW), HAINAN, FUJIAN (FUKIEN, HOKKIEN). Most Min Nan speakers in Thailand
speak Chaochow. Business, industrialists, clerks, sales, service,
agriculturists, professionals. Buddhist. CHINESE, YUE (CANTONESE, YUE, YUEH),
0.5% of Chinese-speaking Chinese in Thailand CHONG (SHONG, XONG, CHAWNG) 500
possibly in Thailand; Chantaburi, four villages, Trat Province, northwest of
Par. HMONG DAW (WHITE MEO, WHITE MIAO, MEO KAO, WHITE LUM, PEH MIAO, PE MIAO,
CHUAN MIAO, BAI MIAO) 25,000 to 30,000 in Thailand. Petchabun, Tak, Mae hong
son, Chiangmai, Nan, Chiangrai, Pitsanalok, Loei, Sukhothai, Kamphaengphet,
Prae, Phayao, Uttaradit, Lampang. Also spoken by the Hmong Qua Mba people, an
ethnic subgroup who live in Hmong Daw or Hmong Njua villages, except possibly in
Nan Province, with no significant dialect differences. Largely intelligible with
Hmong Njua. Mong Leng is intelligible with Hmong Daw, but sociolinguistic
factors require separate literature. Probably the same as Peh Miao (White Miao)
of China. HMONG NJUA (CHUANQIANDIAN MIAO, CHUANCHIENTIEN MIAO,
SICHUAN-GUIZHOU-YUNNAN HMONG, TAK MIAO, MEO, MIAO, WESTERN MIAO) 33,000 in
Thailand, Tak, Nan, Chiangmai, Mae hong son, Petchabun, Chiangrai, Phayao,
Phrae, Loei, Sukhothai, Kamphaengphet, Uthai. Hua, The Miao (Hmongic) group
consists of 30-40 inherently unintelligible varieties. May be the same as Ching
Miao (Blue Miao) of China. Largely intelligible with Hmong Daw. IU MIEN (MIEN,
YAO, MIAN, MYEN, YIU MIEN, YOUMIAN, HIGHLAND YAO, PAN YAO) 33,997 in Thailand.
Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Phayao, Lampang, Kampaengphet, Nan, and Sukhothai
provinces, 159 villages. , Mienic, Mian-Jin. Dialect: CHIANGRAI. Relatively
little dialect variation. All 'Yao' and 'Mien' in Thailand are Iu Mien. Swidden
agriculturists: rice; hunters, weavers, and embroideries. Polytheist, ancestor
worship KAREN, BWE (BGHAI KAREN, BAGHI, BGHE, KAYIN, YANG, BWE) 1,500 in
Thailand; total Karen in Thailand 380,000 .In extreme northwest, Mae hong son.
KAREN, NORTHERN PWO (PWO PHRAE, PHRAE, PRAE, NORTHEASTERN PWO KAREN). North
central Thailand, large area. , Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Pho, Pho-Phlon. Not
intelligible with other Pwo Karen languages. 50% to 75%% literate. KAREN,
PADAUNG (PADAUNG, KAYAM). A few in Thailand. Mae hong son KAREN, PA'O (TAUNGTHU,
BLACK KAREN, PA-U, PA'O, PA OH) 600 in Thailand in Mae Hong son. KAREN, PWO
KANCHANA BURI (PWO KANCHANABURI, PWO UTHAI THANI, KANCHANABURI) Kanchana Buri
area northwest of Bangkok. Not intelligible with other Pwo Karen languages. 14
villages in Uthai Thani, 15% to 50% literate. KAREN, PWO OMKOI (PHO KAREN,
HPALONE, TALAING KAYIN, MUTHEIT, SHU, PWO, PWO KAYIN) 60,000). Mae Sarieng town
in northwest Thailand, Mae Ngaw along the Salween River, 15 to 25 villages, Mae
Sot 15 villages, Hot to Mae Sarieng; Mae Sai to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand,
6 big villages. 3,000 square miles. Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Pho, Pho-Phlon.
Dialects: MAE SARIENG, LEKE, PHLON (PHLONG), HOD, OMKOI, UBONG, CHIANGRAI. Mae
Sarieng represents two dialects. Three dialects are intelligible with each
other. The Pwo Karen of Phrae, Kanchana Buri, and Hua Hin are not intelligible
with these. Little knowledge of Thai in Hot to Mae Sarieng area. Leke and Phlon
are reported to be separate languages. 25% to 50% literate. KAREN, PWO
RATCHABURI (HUA HIN PWO KAREN, RATBURI KAREN, SOUTHERN PWO KAREN) Ratburi and
Hua Hin provinces, northern peninsula. , Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Pho, Pho-Phlon.
Dialects: PHETBURI PWO KAREN, RATBURI PWO KAREN. Not intelligible with other Pwo
Karen languages. 91% to 98% lexical similarity between Phetburi and Ratburi; 84%
to 91% with North Kanchanaburi Pwo Karen; 72% to 75% with Sgaw Karen. Survey
needed. KAREN, S'GAW (S'GAW, S'GAU, S'GAW KAYIN, KANYAW, PAGANYAW, PWAKANYAW,
WHITE KAREN, BURMESE KAREN, YANG KHAO) 300,000 in Thailand Tak, Maehongsong,
Chiangmai, Chiangrai, near the Myanmar border. Closely related to Paku. 25% to
50% literate. KAYAH, EASTERN (RED KAREN, KARENNYI, KAYAY, KAYAH) 77,900 .
Maehongson, east of the Salween River. Distinct from but related to Bwe Karen
(Bghai), forming a continuous chain of dialects. Speakers have difficulty
understanding Western Kayah of Myanmar. 50% to 75%. KENSIU (KENSE, KENSIEU,
KENSEU, KENSIW, SAKAI, SEMANG, MONIQ, MONIK, MANIQ, MONI, MENIK, MENDI, NEGRITO,
KINTAQ, KENTA, KINTAK, NGOK PA, ORANG BUKIT, KINTAQ BONG, ORANG LIAR, TONGA,
MOS, MENGO, TIONG, MAWAS, BELUBN, KENTA-BOGN) 300 in Thailand; Southern Yala
Province, Phattaloong, Satun, Narathiwat provinces, Thai-Malay border. Some in a
resettlement camp in Yala. 5% to 15% literate KHMER, CENTRAL (CAMBODIAN) 100,000
in refugee camps in Eastern Thailand, 14 villages. The number in Thailand is
decreasing KHMER, NORTHERN 1,000,000 .Northeastern Thailand, mainly Surin,
Sisaket, Buriram, Korat Provinces. Dialects: BURIRAM, SURIN, SISAKET. Different
from Central Khmer. Dialects are intelligible with each other. 50% to 75%
literate. KHMU (KMHMU, KHAMU, KHMU', KHAMUK, KAMHMU, KAMU, KHA KHMU, KAMMU,
TMOOY, MOU, LUU, POUTENG) 15,000 to 40,000 Scattered through Thailand,
Chiangrai, Nan, Phayao. KUY (SUAI, SOAI, KUOY, KUI SOUEI, SUEI, SUOI, KUI,
CUOI, KHAMEN-BORAN) 234,000 in East central Thailand; Buriram, Surin, Sisaket,
Ubon, Roi Et. 25% to 50% literate. Traditional religion, Buddhist. LAHU (LOHEI,
MUHSUR, MUSSUH, MUHSO, MUSSO, MUSSER) 28,000 in Thailand in Chiangmai,
Chiangrai, Maehongson, Lampang, Tak provinces, 119 known villages. There has
been some migration from Myanmar and Laos LAHU SHI (KUTSUNG, KUCONG, KUI, KWI,
SHI, YELLOW LAHU, MUSSEH KWI, MUSSEH LYANG) A small number in Thailand; In
refugee camps near Laos border; formerly in Chiang Kham camp, but now in camps
near Pua, Nan, or elsewhere. Difficult intelligibility with Black and Red Lahu.
Distinct from Kui (Kuy, Suoi), with is Mon-Khmer. 5% to 15% literate. LAMET
(LEMET, KHA LAMET, KHAMET, KAMET) 100 in Lampang, Chiangrai. Mainly northwest
Laos. LAWA, EASTERN (WIANG PAPAO LUA, NORTHERN LAWA) 7,000. Northern;
Chiangmai, Chiangrai, one village: Wiang Papao. Dialects: PHALO, PHANG.
Unintelligible with Western Lawa. Speakers are bilingual in Northern Tai. Phalo
(100) and Phang (100) are treated as distinct 25% to 50% literate. Traditional
religion, Buddhist. LAWA, WESTERN (LAVA, LUWA, LUA, L'WA, LAVUA, LAVÜA, MOUNTAIN
LAWA) 7,000 in Thailand. Numerous villages in Chiangmai and Mae hong son
provinces of northern Thailand.. Unintelligible with Eastern Lawa. Some dialects
are unintelligible to each other's speakers. La-oor is becoming the standard for
literature. 25% to 50% literate. Traditional religion, Buddhist LISU (LISAW,
LI-SHAW, LI-HSAW, LU-TZU, SOUTHERN LISU, YAO YEN, YAW-YEN, YAW YIN, YEH-JEN,
LISO) 16,000 in Thailand. Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Maehongson, Tak, Sukhothai,
Kamphaeng Phet provinces. Some have migrated to northwest Thailand from Myanmar.
LÜ (LUE, TAI LUE, THAI LU, TAI LU, LU, PAI-I, PAI-YI, SHUI-PAI-I) 78,000 in
Chiangrai, Payao, Lamphun, Nan, Chiang Kham, and throughout northern Thailand.
Tai, Southwestern, East Central, Northwest. Most closely related to Khun. 88%
lexical similarity with Northern Thai; 74% with Central Thai. Central Thai is
used in schools and on the radio. Northern Tai is the language in town for
trade, employment, and with Northern Thai speakers. Many thousands of Lü people
including men and women, younger and older people understand very little Central
Thai. Lü is used exclusively in talking to other Lü people; in the home, with
friends, children, in the market, fields, in arguments, for telling stories, for
counting. The Lü are proud of their language and eager to be identified as Lü.
Extensive literature in old Lü script, which no one reads now. Literacy is high
in Central Thai in the Thai script. An official nationality in Viet Nam. 50% to
75% literate. Tropical forest. Valleys. Agriculturalists: wet rice, fishermen.
Traditional religion, Buddhist.. LUA' (EAST PUA PRAY, PRAY 2) East of Pua
District in Nan Province. Also on Laos-Thailand border. MAL (T'IN, HTIN, THIN,
TIN, T'IN, KHATIN) 3,000 to 4,000 in Thailand. East of Pua District and Chiang
Kam, valley near northern Laos border, Nan Province. Not intelligible with Lua,
Phai, or Pray 3. 'Mal' and 'Madl' are self names. 'T'in' is an ethnic name used
in Thailand. 1% to 15% literate. MALAY (BAHASA MALAY, MELAYU). Some villages
in Ranong, south Thailand. Shafi Muslim. MALAY, KEDAH A few villages near
Satun. Isolated. Apparently distinct from Pattani Malay or Standard Malay. More
people speak Thai than among the Pattani. Most outside contacts are with centers
of Thai population in Songkhla, Phattalung, and Haad Yai; with west coast Malay
states of Perlis and Kedah Culturally Malay. MALAY, PATTANI (THAI ISLAM), 4% of
the population. East coast of south Thailand below Songkhla, Yala to Suratthani,
near Rangsit. Similar to the Malay spoken in Kelantan and Trenganu states in
Malaysia. Different from Kedah Malay and Standard Malay. Muslim, Christian. MANG
(MANG U, XAMANG, CHAMAN, MANBU, BA'E) 5 in Thailand; 1 village in the northAn
official ethnic community in Viet Nam. MLABRI (MLA, MLA BRI, MABRI, MRABRI,
YUMBRI, MA KU, YELLOW LEAF, PHI THONG LUANG) 250 . Laos border area. Phayao,
Nan, Phrae, Utaradit, Phitsanuloke, Loey, and perhaps other provinces. Speakers
are sometimes employed by the Hmong. No literates. They speak or understand some
Hmong and Northern Thai. Mlabri are different from the Kha Tong Luang (Phi Tong
Luang, Yellow Leaf) in Laos, which are Western Viet-Muong. Some are nomadic. 1%
to 15% literate. Tropical forest. Agriculturalists: rice, maize;
hunter-gatherers. Traditional religion MOK (AMOK, HSEN-HSUM) 7. Northwest;
east northeast of Chiang Mai, on Wang River. Nearly extinct. MOKEN (MAWKEN,
BASING, SELUNG, SELONG, SALONG, SALON, CHAU KO'). West coast of south Thailand,
Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Ranong. Mainly in Myanmar. Dialects: DUNG, JA-IT, L'BE.
They live primarily on boats, but occasionally settle on islands in the area.
Closest to Moklen. Related to Urak Lawoi. Traditional religion, Muslim. MOKLEN
(CHAU POK) 1,500 or fewer. West coast of south Thailand, Phuket, Phangnga. Heavy
Thai and Mon-Khmer influence. Traditional religion, Muslim. MON (TALAING,
TALENG, ALENG, MUN, PEGUAN, TAKANOON) 70,000 to 100,000 in Thailand. On the
Myanmar border, Kanchanaburi, Pathum Thani, Rat Buri, Surat Thani, Lopburi,
Khorat; north and south of Bangkok. In some areas they have apparently
integrated with the Thai, in other areas they are separate. Traditional
religion, Buddhist MPI (MPI-MI) 2,000. Phrae, Phayao, two villages. NYAHKUR
(NYAH KUR, NYAKUR, NIAKUOL, NIAKUOLL, "CHAOBON", "CHAODON", LAWA) 300 Central
Thailand, Korat, Petchabun, Chayaphum, a few villages, from north of B. Khum
Chieo to south of Ban Kao, Thakhong and other rivers. Their name for themselves
is 'Nyahkur'. "Chaobon" is the Thai name and is derogatory. 75% to 100%
literate. Buddhist. NYAW (YO, NYO) 50,000 in Sakorn Nakorn, Ta Bo', Nong Khai;
Tha Uthen, Nakorn Panom. Closely related to Isan (Northeastern Thai) and Luang
Prabang Lao. Speakers use Isan as second language. Maw may be an alternate name.
Buddhist.. NYEU (YEU) Small number in Sisaket. Accessible. Closely related to
Kuy. 25% to 50% literate. PALAUNG, PALE (DI-ANG, NGWE PALAUNG, SILVER PALAUNG,
PALE, PALAY, SOUTHERN TA-ANG) 5,000 in Thailand A distinct language from Shwe
Palaung and Rumai Palaung. Below 5% literate. PHAI (PHAY, THUNG CHAN PRAY, KHA
PHAY, PRAY 1, PRAI) 31,000 in Thung Chang District of Nan Province. More Pray
speakers have recently come from Laos to refugee camps, which could represent
additional dialects. PHU THAI (PUTHAI, PUTAI, PHUU THAI, PHUTAI) 50,000 in Kham
Chai, Nakorn Panom, Ubon, Kalasin, Sakorn Nakorn. Little dialect
differentiation. Close to Tai Dam and Tai Don. Isan (Northeastern Tai) is used
as second language. 75% to 100% literate. Buddhist. PHUAN (LAO PHUAN, PHU UN)
Uthai Thani, Phichit, Petchabun, Lopburi, Singburi, Suphanburi, Saraburi, Nakorn
Nayok, Phrachinburi, Udon, Loei, and one village south of Bangkok, Chiang Saeng.
They were relocated to Thailand from 1827 to 1890. Vigorous language use and
sense of identity. There is an annual Phuan celebration in Bangkok. A socially
prominent group. Closely related to Northern Tai, Tai Dam, Song, Lao. The name
is also used for Lao speakers in Thailand. Buddhist. PHUNOI (PHU NOI, PUNOI,
PHOUNOY, CÔÔNG). Some in Chiangrai. Closely related Bisu, Pyen, and Mpi. Those
listed as dialects may be separate languages. Known as 'Côông' in Viet Nam. 50%
to 75% literate. PRAY Interspersed in Thung Chang and Pua districts among the
Mal. Needs intelligibility testing. One dialect is more distinct, but people
speak Mal fairly well. Separate from Phai and Lua. 25% to 50% literate. Survey
needed. SAEK (SEK, TAI SEK) 11,000 in Thailand in Northeastern, Nakorn Panom.
Tai, Northern. Second language is Lao. Buddhist. SHAN (SHA, TAI SHAN, SAM, TAI
YAI, THAI YAI, GREAT THAI, TAI LUANG, "NGIO", "NGIOW", "NGIAW", "NGIAO", "NGEO")
56,000 in Thailand in Mae hong son, Myuang Haeng, Chiangrai, Chiangmai, Maesai,
Tak, on northwestern border. Also in 1 village in China, East Central,
Northwest. Plains. Paddy rice, artisans (gold, silver, blacksmiths),
shopkeepers. Buddhist, traditional religion. SÔ (KAH SO, THRO) 55,000 in
Thailand in Nakorn Panom, Sakorn Nakorn, Nong Kai, Kalasin. Both sides of Mekong
River in northeastern Thailand. 53 villages in Thailand, People speak So in the
home. Spoken by all ages. They came from Laos, and the same dialect is spoken
there. They are adjusting to Thai culture and gradually becoming bilingual in
Thai. Closely related to Bru. 25% to 50% literate. Plains. Agriculturalists: wet
rice. Buddhist, traditional religion. SO TRI (TRI, SO TRII) 5,000 in Thailand in
Sakorn Nakorn Province, 2 villages. Close to So. Young people in Thailand do not
speak Tri. Bilingual in Northeastern Tai. Survey needed. SONG (THAI SONG, LAO
SONG, LAO SONG DAM) 20,000 to 30,000 . Kanchanaburi, Phetburi, Pitsanulok,
Nakorn Sawaan, Nakorn Pathom, Suphanaburi. , Tai, Southwestern, East Central,
Chiang Saeng. Only slight dialect differences. Closely related to Tai Dam.
Traditional religion. TAI DAM (JINPING DAI, TAI NOIR, THAI DEN, BLACK TAI)
20,000 in Thailand, Widely scattered in Nongkhai, Korat, Loei, and Saraburi.
Partially intelligible with Tai Kao (White Tai). Officially included under Dai
in China. Part of the Thai official nationality in Viet Nam TAI, NORTHEASTERN
(ISAN, ISAAN, ISSAN) 15,000,000; at least 1,000,000 in Bangkok; Kalerng has a
few thousand speakers. Northeastern; 17 provinces. Kalerng is in Sakon Nakhon
and Nakhon Phanom. Dialects: NORTH ISAN, CENTRAL ISAN (KALERNG, KALEUNG),
SOUTHERN ISAN. KORAT. Written in Thai script. The people are called Isan. 88%
use Isan in the home, 1% use Central Thai, 11% use both. The Korat dialect is
quite different, and may be a separate language. TAI, NORTHERN (LANNA, LAN NA,
LANATAI, "YUAN", PHYAP, PHAYAP, PAYAP, KAMMÜANG, KAMMYANG, MYANG, KAM MU'ANG,
MU'ANG, KHON MUNG, KHON MYANG, TAI NYA, LA NYA, NORTHERN THAI, WESTERN LAOTIAN)
6,000,000 in Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Lamphun, Lampang, Maehongson, Hot, Nan,
Phayao. Dialects: NAN, BANDU, TAI WANG. Has had Yuan script for a long time, in
which are written Buddhist sermons, inscriptions, the Bible. The script is not
used much now; few can read it. The Thai script has been used for newspapers and
other literature in Northern Tai also, although it lacks some necessary
contrasts. People are called 'Khon Mung', but do not like the name "Yuan". Rural
or uneducated speakers have limited bilingualism in Central Thai. The Nan
dialect is more distinct. 87.5% use Northern Tai in the home, 3% use Central
Thai, 9.5% use both. Buddhist TAI, SOUTHERN (PAK THAI, PAK TAI, PAKTAY, DAMBRO)
5,000,000 Chumphon, Nakorn Srithammerat; 14 provinces total. Muslim Tai in
provinces of Chumporn, Nakorn Srithammerat, Phattalung, Songkhla, Ranong,
Phanga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun. A group of dialects more distantly related
to other Tai languages. The border dialects are quite distinct from others. 81%
use Southern Tai in the home, 8.5% use Central Tai, 10.5% use both. Muslim Tai
('Thai Malay') speak only Southern Tai. Buddhist, Muslim. THAI (CENTRAL TAI,
STANDARD THAI, THAIKLANG, SIAMESE) 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 in Thailand, Central
Thailand, centered in Bangkok. Khorat dialect in Ratchasima. KHORAT THAI
(KORAT). Official language of the country and medium of education and most mass
communication. Thai script. People sometimes called Siamese. National language
THAI SIGN LANGUAGE, . Dialect: CHIENGMAI SIGN LANGUAGE. The first deaf school
was established in 1951, with influence from Gallaudet University. It uses a
combination of indigenous signs and American Sign Language. Total communication
used in school: speaking and signing. The sign language used in the classroom
and that by deaf adults outside is different. Some signed interpretation on TV.
There is a manual system for spelling. Dictionaries. There are at least five
sign languages reported among ethnic groups in the mountains. There are
conflicting reports about Chiengmai Sign Language, and whether or not it is
inherently intelligible with Thai Sign Language. The signs used at the deaf
school at Tak are reported to be very different. UGONG (LAWA, 'UGONG, GONG) 100
to 1,000 (1993). Kanchanaburi, Uthai Thani, Suphanaburi. None in Myanmar. Not
closely related to other languages. Reported to be used by 100 adults as
language of the home. Children speak Thai as mother tongue. All speak some
variety of Thai. Distinct from Lawa in the Palaung-Wa branch of Mon-Khmer.
Survey needed. URAK LAWOI' (ORAK LAWOI', LAWTA, CHAW TALAY, CHAWNAM, LAWOI)
3,000. Phuket and Langta islands, west coast of southern Thailand. Strand
dwellers. Aboriginal Malays who speak a unique Malay language. URDU . Bangkok,
Mookherji area YONG (NYONG) Chiangrai, Chiangmai, Lamphun. Phonology similar to
Lü. Second language is Northern Tai. Buddhist. Survey needed. YOY (YOI, YOOI,
YOOY) 5,000 in Thailand in Sakorn Nakorn. Tai, Unclassified. Bilingual in
Northeastern Thai. Survey needed.
02. December 2004