Northern Khmer people
Encyclopedia
Nothern Khmer people, also known in Thai as Thai-Khmer people ( lit. "Thais of Khmer descent"), is the designation used to refer to ethnic Khmers native to the Isan
region of Northeast Thailand. Khmers have had a presence in this area since at least the time of the Khmer Empire
. With the fall of the Angkor, however, the Khmers of the Isan
region were subject to increasing Thai
influence. In the 18th century, Thailand officially annexed the former Cambodia
n province of Surin
. The Khmer residents became de facto subjects of the Thai monarchy and a long process of cultural assimilation
began.
The Northern Khmer have maintained their Khmer identity, practicing the Khmer form of Theravada Buddhism and speaking a dialect of the Khmer language known as Khmer Surin in Khmer or Northern Khmer in English. Few Northern Khmers are able to read or write their native language due to Thaification
policies either enacted or encouraged by the Thai government. Thai language instruction in public schools has resulted in many of the younger generation being more comfortable using Thai as a medium of communication. However, recent renewed interest in Khmer language and culture has resulted in a two-fold increase in the usage of Northern Khmer since 1958.
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
region of Northeast Thailand. Khmers have had a presence in this area since at least the time of the Khmer Empire
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
. With the fall of the Angkor, however, the Khmers of the Isan
Isan
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
region were subject to increasing Thai
Thai people
The Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
influence. In the 18th century, Thailand officially annexed the former Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
n province of Surin
Surin Province
Surin is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et and Sisaket...
. The Khmer residents became de facto subjects of the Thai monarchy and a long process of cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
began.
The Northern Khmer have maintained their Khmer identity, practicing the Khmer form of Theravada Buddhism and speaking a dialect of the Khmer language known as Khmer Surin in Khmer or Northern Khmer in English. Few Northern Khmers are able to read or write their native language due to Thaification
Thaification
Thaification is the process by which people of different cultural and ethnic origins living in Thailand become assimilated to the dominant Thai culture, or more precisely, to the culture of the Central Thais...
policies either enacted or encouraged by the Thai government. Thai language instruction in public schools has resulted in many of the younger generation being more comfortable using Thai as a medium of communication. However, recent renewed interest in Khmer language and culture has resulted in a two-fold increase in the usage of Northern Khmer since 1958.
External links
- Thailand’s Khmer as ‘Invisible Minority’: Language, Ethnicity and Cultural Politics in North-Eastern Thailand
- Kandrum (Kantreum) Folk Performers
- Ethnic Khmer Festival in Thailand
- Thai-Cambodia fighting disrupts border ties
- Puangthong Rungswasdisab, Thailand's Response to the Cambodian Genocide; insights on Thailand's foreign policy towards its neighboring countries
- World Directory of Minorities - Mon and Khmer