SELF-AWARENESS OF LUANG PHRABANGLAONESS IN THAILAND - 1 - A CASE STUDY OF MYTH AND RITUAL

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

Study examines Lao migrants who moved from Luang Phrabang to settle in Thailand, focusing on communities in Amphoe Lom Kao and Lom Sak, Phetchabun Province, and Amphoe Dan Sai, Loei Province. It analyzes how they sustain self-awareness of Luang Phrabang Lao identity over long residence, and how myth telling and spirit offering rituals support ethnic maintenance. The article frames legends and local rituals as mechanisms linking present life to Lanxang Luang Phrabang’s historical and religious memory.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The importance of Luang Phrabang Laoness in the context of Thai society

SELF-AWARENESS OF LUANG PHRABANGLAONESS IN THAILAND: 1 A CASE STUDY OF MYTH AND RITUAL2 Bourin Wungkeeree3 Abstract This article offers a study of Lao people who migrated from Luang Phrabang to settle in Thailand, especially at Amphoe Lom Kao and Lom Sak, Phetchabun Province and Amphoe Dan Sai, Loei Province. These migrants have maintained their self-awareness as Luang Phrabang 1 The Lao identity here means, in the context of the research, the fact that they are aware that they are from Lao Luang Phrabang in the Kingdom of Lanxang. The tradition, ceremonies, beliefs, religions, and languages emphasize their identity and language. In this context, the awareness of being Luang Phrabang Lao is part of their identity. However, as they have lived in Thailand for along time, they call themselves “Thai people of Luang Phrabang ancestry.” 2 This article is a part of a Ph.D. thesis entitled,“Folk Literature in Luang Phrabang Laotian Communities and Its Role in Transmitting Luang Phrabang Laoness in Thai Social Context,” Ph.D. Program in Literature and Comparative Literature, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. An earlier version was presented to the International conference“Thai Language and Literature: Wisdom and Dynamism in the Global Context,” November 10–12, 2006, at the Imperial Queen’s Park, Bangkok, Thailand. I would like to thank Associate Professor Dr. Siraporn Nathalang for her guidance and for inviting me to join this conference. 3 Lecturer, Department of Thai, Faculty of Humanities, Chiangmai University. Lao by transmitting their own folk literature—for instance, local legends and hero tales, and rituals. Such ethnic transmission has been interpreted as an important mechanism for ethnic maintenance. Repeatedly reproduced in a discourse of myth telling in the context of spirit offering rituals, this transmission helps the community realize and remember that they are from Luang Phrabang, Lanxang, which was once a prosperous Buddhist centre in ancient times. Introduction A legend or a myth is an ancient story that has been passed on over many generations in a given culture. As such, it is a vital tool in recording the events, attitudes, and thoughts of the society. Most legends are generally related to supernatural or mysterious things. They might be variably interpreted across the course of their history. There are several types of legends: most notably, the legend of the origin of the world and the universe; the ghost legend; the ritual legend; and the local legend. Ritual and local legends are distinctive in their purposes to show cultural origins, to explain local geography and how to build a community, or to explain the background of each ritual. Thus, legends and myths make it possible for people in the community to understand their culture as well as to create mutual appreciation of their history. Luang Phrabang Laotians have migrated into Thailand since the reign of King of Thon Buri, who led the military conquest of Vientiane, then under King Siriboonsan. After his victory, King of Thon Buri appointed two noblemen, Chaophraya Chakkri and Phraya Phichai, to lead the Luang Phrabang Laotians to the city of Nam Pat, Lom, and Loei. There were MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities 11.1, 2008 subsequent migrations into Thailand between the reigns of King Rama I and King Rama III, especially during the war of Chao Anuwong of Vientiane which saw the largest single wave of Laotian migration. Even after resettlement, the Luang Phrabang Laotians maintained much of their lifestyle, society, culture, and attitude in their new home. Two key issues emerge out of a consideration of this history of Lao-Thai migration. Firstly, why do the Luang Phrabang Laotians in the city of Lom Kao and Lom Sak (excluding the Vientiane Laotians in Tambon Ban Tio, Ban Rai, and Ban Wai) in Petchabun Province and in the city of Dan Sai in Loei Province still have a strong sense of Luang Phrabang Lao identity even though they ha

FAQs

Which Thai regions and districts are examined for Luang Phrabang Lao migrants?

The study focuses on Amphoe Lom Kao and Lom Sak in Phetchabun Province, and Amphoe Dan Sai in Loei Province.

What does the article identify as the two main factors for maintaining identity?

It highlights pride in the glorious past of the Kingdom of Lanxang Luang Phrabang and a desire to resist Thai social influence to preserve cultural distinction.

How do myth telling and ritual practices help transmit Luang Phrabang Laoness?

Repeated myth telling in the context of spirit offering rituals helps the community remember they originate from Luang Phrabang and supports continued transmission of identity across generations.

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore