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Khon Muang
The biggest ethnic group in Chiang Rai is Tai Yuan, which means “city people”, who live on the plains. Most of them came from Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Phrae. They usually build their homes as a one-storied house on high poles, with beautifully carved wooden gable-decorations called “Ka-Lae”. Agriculture is their main profession. They are excellent craftsmen, very keen on wood carving, weaving, lacquerware making, and instrument making. Their major musical instruments are phin pia, sa-lo, sueng, pi-nae, and klong.
The festivals that these people observe are similar to those maintained by people in the Central Plains, such as Songkran, and Loi Krathong. Some other rituals are their local practices, such as a ceremony to bless people at a crucial time of their life, to bless someone with longevity, and to make merit to area temples.
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Tai Yai
 The ethnic group who call themselves “Tai” (called “ngiao” by the Thais) moved from Shan State in Myanmar and came to settle in Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Mae Fa Luang. They grow rice, farm, raise cattle, and trade. Their craftsmanship includes weaving, pottery, wood carving, and making bronze-ware. They observe several practices similar to those of the Central Thai, such as Songkran, and other Buddhist festivals including Wisakhapucha (when Buddhists commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha which fell on the same lunar day). |
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Akha (I-ko)
The biggest tribe in Chiang Rai, calling themselves “akha”, came from Yunnan in China to settle along mountain ranges in many districts. They like to live on high grounds, about 1,200 meters above sea level. They also build a village gateway or “Pratu-phi” (“gateway of spirits called Phi”) to protect the village. This is styled with a symbolic sword and arrow, believed to ward off evil spirits and ghosts. I-ko still believe in the spirits. Their major festivals are the swing ceremony and Lunar New Year celebrations.
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Lahu (Musor)
Like I-ko, “Lahu” came from Yunnan to live in the high mountains. Their biggest communities are on Doi Tung. They are expert hunters and planters. They also worship spirits. They celebrate New Year and the new rice season. |
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Karen
The smallest group, “Paka Koeyo”, have settled in Mae Chan, Mae Suai, Wiang Pa Pao, and Muang District in bands such as karen sa-ko, karen-po, and ba-weh. They like to live in the valleys and along the riverbanks.
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Chin Ho
These former members of the Chinese 93 rd Infantry came to take refuge in the northern areas starting in 1961. Their biggest villages are on Doi Mae Salong, Doi Wawi and Doi Pha Tang. Their traditions are like those of the Yunnan Chinese.
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Hmong (Maeo)
From southern China , they build their houses on high grounds and raise livestock, and grow rice, corn, tobacco and cabbages. They are also expert silversmiths and embroidery. Their rituals are related to birth, marriage, death, funerals and mourning.
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Tai Lue
From the Mekong basins in the Sip Song Pan Na region in China , this ethnic group migrated to Central Chai Buri in Laos and then to Chiang Rai. They settled down around Wiang Kaen and Chiang Khong. Their abode is usually a one-room wooden house built on high poles. They are weaving experts who make beautiful long tungs (flags) for area temples annually. Other festivals they observe are Songkran, food-basket donations, and “poi-luang” (big functions).
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Lisu (Lisor)
Unlike others, this group came from Salawin basin in China . They build houses on high poles and on the ground. They grown corn and rice. Men are also expert hunters. They believe in spirits and celebrate New Year too.
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Yao
The “mien” people came from Yunnan and Kwang-si to settle along mountain sides, growing corn and other crops. They are expert blacksmiths, silversmiths and embroidery. They are most like the Chinese, with high endurance and diligence. Their dialect is like the Hmong's. Their New Year celebration includes the self-mortification ritual of fire-walking.
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