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The major groups of Shan people are: Tai Yai (Shan:တႆးယႂ်ႇ) or Thai Yai (Thai: ไทใหญ่); the 'Shan Proper', by far the largest group, by which all Shan people are known in the Thai language. Tai Lü or Tai Lue (Shan:တႆးလိုဝ်ႉ). Its traditional area is in Xishuangbanna (China) and the eastern states.
The Thai name for the Shan people is Thai Yai, meaning great or big Thai. Indeed though possessing distinct cultural traits, a very separate history and inhabiting adjacent rather than overlapping regions, the Shan people are a part of the greater Tai* ethnic family — which also includes Lao, Tai Lu, Black Tai, White Tai and numerous other ...
The Shan have historically lived alongside ethnic Bamar, Intha, Kachin, Mon, Palaung, Pa-O, Rakhine, Taungyo, Wa and other peoples for much of this history. But Shan State has always had a majority population of ethnic Shan — numbering today between four and six million people.
The Shan population in Thailand is concentrated mainly in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, Mae Sai and Lampang, where there are groups which settled long ago and built their own communities and temples.
- 21 May 1958-present
- ongoing
- Shan State, Myanmar
Getting to know Shan people. Speaking of ethnic groups living in Thailand, surely we can never forget Shan people. These people have been living in Thailand for so long. Many tourist attractions or temples in northern Thailand, including Mae Hong Son, are inspired by Shan art and culture.
The British colonial rulers in neighbouring Burma (now Myanmar) referred to them as Siamese Shan to distinguish them from the Shan proper, whom they called Burmese Shan. [6] The Northern Thai people refer to themselves as khon muang, meaning "people of the (cultivated) land", "people of our community" or "society" (mueang is a central term in ...
The Shan people originated from the northeastern region of Myanmar, known as “Shan State,” specifically from towns situated along the Salween River, such as Maung Mog Mai, Maung Nai, and Maung Lang Kur.
