| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 51,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Laos, Thailand | |
| Languages | |
| Phai; Lao and/or Thai as second languages | |
| Religion | |
| Animism, Theravada Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mal |
The Phai are an ethnic group in Thailand and Laos. They are one of two sub-groups of the Lua people (the other one being the Mal).
Name Variation
The Phai are also commonly referred to as Prai, Phay, Thung Chan Pray, Kha Phay, and Pray. In Laos they are also referred to as Htin.
Language
The Phai speak a language also called Phai, which belongs to the Khmuic branch of Austroasiatic languages There are several dialects called Phai, that are sometimes hardly mutually intelligible.
Geographic Distribution
- Population in Laos: 15,000 in Phongsali and Xaignabouli Provinces
There are also dozens of Prai villages in Thailand.
References
- Joachim Schliesinger (2003). Ethnic Groups of Laos, Volume 1: Introduction and Overview. White Lotus. p. 171.
- ^ Ethnologue report for Laos
- Frank Proschan. "A Survey of Khmuic and Palaungic Languages in Laos and Vietnam" (PDF). Pan-Asiatic Linguistics. 3: 895–919, at pp. 896, 898.
- Schliesinger, Joachim, Ethnic Groups of Laos, vol. 2, ISBN 974-480-036-4
- Jordan-Diller, K; Diller, FJ (2004). "The Prai of Northern Thailand: A sociolinguistic survey of a Mon-Khmer language". Mon-Khmer Studies.
| Ethnic groups in Laos by language family | |
|---|---|
| Lao-Tai | |
| Vietic | |
| Khmeric | |
| Katuic | |
| Bahnaric | |
| Khmu-Palaungic | |
| Hmong–Mien | |
| Tibeto-Burman | |
| Austronesian | |
| Other | |
| General grouping |
|
 Laos portal | |