This is a north part of Thailand, bordering Thailand to Myanmar, China and Laos. There are 15 provinces in this region e.g. Pitsanulok, Pijit, Kumpaengpet, Tak, Sukhothai, Prae, Nan, Uttaradit, Petchaboon, Lumpang, Lumpoon, Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Payao and Mae Hongson.

         Although all 15 provinces are practically categorized the northern provinces, they are subdivided in to several groups, possessing their own unique characteristic and cultures. For example, a group of Pitsanulok, Pijit, Sukhothai and Kumpaengpet is called the upper central region because their cultures are similar to the central region of Thailand. Mae Hongson has cultures that are rather the mixture of Thai Yai and Burmese. Petcahboon's cultures are more alike those of the northeast's.

        A group of provinces that really and uniquely posses real northern cultures, consisting Lumpang, Lumpoon, Chaing Mai, Chiang Rai and Payao, is called Khon Muang, Yuan, or Thai Yuan which refers Yonok. Phrae and Nan also have their own characteristics.

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In the past, Thai people lived in scattered groups in the region of Indo-Chinese peninsula. Thai people living in the north set up their houses in the abundant flat area between the hillsides. As seen by historical records, the northern Thai had settled down and had been ruled by kings in the region for very along time. The most obvious ancient community, based on the evidences, is the king dom of Nan Jao. The kingdom situated in Hunan region of China, defeated and destroyed by Chinese forces in the year 1796 of the Buddhist era. Then, the kingdom of Chiang Saen started to settle their civilization since the 16th century of the Buddhist era. In 18th century of the Buddhist era, the biggest Thai group was divided in to 3 kingdoms; Chiang Saen in the north, Sukhothai in the central and the south, and Lan Chang on the east coast of Mekhon river that is, at present, Laos and the northeast of Thailand.

Category of Lan Na kings

After King Kaew, Lan Na kingdom was rule by Burma

Lan Na's administration was divided into main categories as below;

     People of Lan Na mostly lived with agricultural lifestyle. Since most of the area are mountainous and only 1/4 of the area are flat area. Farmers grew rice by water reservation method. Kao Rai (Rice grown in hilly area) was grown in higher lands. Flat areas between mountains (So called "Aeng"); such as Aeng Chiang Mai, Lumpoon and Aeng Chiang Rai; are suitable for growing rice and other plants. But those of Lum Pang, Prae, and Nan produced less rice. The economy system was only a production for domestic consumption. They used cows to carry their goods to other cities. The goods were wild products, salts, clothes, and jewelry. Local market was "Kart Mua", which meant that anyone could bring anything to sell at this place.

     The northerners preferred to build their houses close to each other to assemble a group or a village, mostly located along the riverside or at the abundant areas. The northern houses are mostly wooden, lifted above ground. The space under the house was used to keep agricultural equipment or for relaxation. Roof are covered by tiles or pieces of teakwood, which are bigger and last longer than tiles. High quality teakwood can last longer than 50 years.

     Next to the house is a rice silo, big or small depending on the owner's wealth. Besides this, there would be poultry, cattles, horses, orchards, and vegetable planting area.

    Mostly farmers, either paddy farming or orchard gardening. Only on a very low land that they would do spread paddy farming for rice. The northern normally consume sticky rice, which is very high quality, that is, clean, soft and scented. The famous one is Sun Pa Tong breed. Others popular plants are onions, garlic beans and tobacco. Fruit orchards, such as longan and Lichee, are also popular. Besides domestic consumption, these products are also main exports.

Bo sang Umbrella, Chiang Mai Province More pictures	carvings at "Baan Ta Whay", Chiang Mai Province More pictures

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     The local northern costumes for men and women are different. Men wear trouser with 3/4 length of legs, so called "Tiew" or "Tiew Sa Dor", made of cotton and dyed in blue or black. Shirt, called "Sua Mor Hom", is made from cotton, short sleeves, 5 black or blue chest bottoms. They wear this dress when working.

     For women, they wear big, full-length legs, piece of cloth called "Siin". A siin is a beautifully designed piece of cloth. Their shirts are equally beautiful. The northern women are concerned about their dress very important. They always dress beautifully. As said in a northern proverb;

     The northerners are kind, polite, and modest. Especially, their hospitality is well regarded. They like greetings and welcoming people to their home. This also applies to northern women and, unintentionally, may cause misunderstandings to visitors.

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     Like most of Thais, the northerners' old believes are based on the respect to spirits and ghost. Each family worships their own regarded spirits. Also, each village worships spirits of the village, for example, the spirits of ancestors, lands and trees. When Buddhism spread to the north, the northerner had become strict Buddhists. Almost every village has a local temple. Parents traditionally wish their sons to be Buddhist monk. In Mae Hong Son, the ceremony of becoming monks is called "Buad Luk Kaew". When the boys enter to his 9 years old, their parents regard that they are so pure and suitable to become monks. The ceremony is seriously taken. Boys of the same age are normally appointed to become monks at the same ceremony. Boys are luxuriously dressed as if they are kings. When parade begins, boys are sitting on horses, covered by big umbrellas. The parade is also beautifully decorated. After boys have become novices, they have to study Buddhism in the temple until they are 19 years old. Then they would leave monkshood and would be called "Noi" before their names as, for example, Noi Chaiya. For those who continue being monks for a few more years, after they leave monkshood, they would be called "Nan" as, for example, Nan Ho or Nan Inta.

"Buad Luk Kaew" ,  Mae Hong Son Province	Wat Chong Klang, Mae Hong Son Province	Doi su Teap, Chiang Mai Province
Pictures from Thailand Executive Diary 1997

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     The northerners live with nature, so they are so kind and calm. They love beauties of natures, arts and music. They are well known in artistic skills such as sculptures, carvings, silverware and lacquerware. All of these products' beauties reflect the great skills of the northerner.

    In the area of music and plays, there is a band that is called "Wong Salor Sor Sueng". A classic northern dance are "Fon Leb"(Nail dance) and "Fon tien"(Candle dance). Local plays are "Joi", "Sor"(like "Mor Lum" of the northeast), which is the acting like a play of men wooing women. This local play can still be seen at local ceremonies, though there is less than before.

     The northerners regularly consume sticky rice and meat as their meals. Only small amount of seafood consumed. Perhaps, because they believe that seafood can cause illness. Vegetables consumed are locally available. The ways of cooking are normal i.e. both dry and watery, for example, Lab(meat salad), Lue(blood salad), Sai Ua(sausage), steamed pork, Ho curry, and vegetable curry.

     There is one kind of food that northern must have it in their menu. That is "Tua Nao" (leavened and baked beans), which is made of Soya beans, leavened then spread as a thin round sheet. Then it is left in the sunlight. Dried Tua Nao are kept, as main ingredient, in kitchen and used to mix with other foods when desired.

     The use Soya beans, as ingredients for foods are absolutely genius of the northerners because Soya beans are main source for nutrition and energy.

     Another unforgettable food is Lue, an uncooked and savory dish.

    Lue is a kind of meat salad, northern style, mixed with blood. Lue can be cooked from pork, cow meat and baffalo meat, which is finely chopped, then mixed with sliced animal's organs. It tastes sour, salty, and strongly spicy. Popularly consumed with liqueur. Salad dish is served as a side dish for Lue. In the northeast, there is a similar kind of food, called blood salad, but this one is more watery, not quite thick as Lue of the north.

     The total of population in the north is at least 15 million. The northerners have rather pale skin. They mostly do agricultural works and are Buddhists, love to make merits and seriously preserve their unique traditions. They naturally kind and have good hospitality. Like staying with natures and peaceful environment. Generally medium rich, but there are still a lot of poor people. In the past, there were a lot of northern women had to go to prostitution. That is because of they were poor. Thai government continuously tried to solve this problem by providing more education, development for community, and providing more jobs. Finally, the problem progressively reduced. Above all, all Thais are, no matter where and which region they are, still Thai who have same origin. They always have love and good relation for each other, by blood and the origin of cultures.

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Translator : Aketawan Manowongsa