Northern Khmer in Thailand


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Northern Khmer are mostly found in the lower northeast of Thailand, in the provinces of Buriram, Surin and Sisaket, which border Cambodia. They are also known as Thai-Khmer or Khmer-Surin. Northern Khmer speakers are also found in villages along the Thai-Cambodian border in Prachinburi province. The dialect of Khmer spoken in Cambodia across the north is very similar to the dialect in Thailand, though in Thailand many Thai words are also used.

The Khmer have been in the lower northeast of present-day Thailand even longer than the Thai. There are many Khmer ruins dating from the pre-Angkor and the Angkor periods in the three provinces and beyond, notably at Phanomrung (Buriram), still with concentrations of Khmer–speaking communities nearby. A linguistic survey carried out in the 1960s discovered that Buriram province was approximately 75% Khmer-speaking, Surin 90% and Sisaket 70%. These figures may have changed since then, but the broad coverage of the language can still be found in each of the provinces. In Thailand, many Khmer are migrant laborers, especially in the dry season, and can be found on construction sites in Bangkok and in fruit and sugarcane plantations in other parts of the country. Many of the young people from the region are now working in factories in and around Greater Bangkok.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Northern Khmer are traditionally rice farmers, following the rhythm of the monsoon which can be notoriously fickle, with one village able to plant crops while another suffers drought. They are also skilled timber-cutters and house builders, and many Khmer women weave silk and cotton cloth during the dry season. Due to lack of ground water, only small-scale agriculture is possible, apart from raising cattle or buffaloes. Their food is distinctively Khmer with the popular somlor (soup) and liberal use of prohok.

Music is also very much part of their culture with the Khmer violin and pleng kantrum (Khmer folksong) at the centre of village life and celebrations. They dress much like the Thai, but with distinctive colors and patterns in their sarongs.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Outwardly they are followers of the Thai national religion of Theravada Buddhism, with a strong admixture of spirit-worship and divination which is performed by the kruu, who may be either a monk or a layman. The Khmer are known (and sometimes feared) within Thailand for their powers of witchcraft and sorcery. As well as Buddhist festivals, they also hold a festival to the spirits of the dead known as Prachum Ben. Most Khmer houses have a spiritshelf near the house, and another inside the house with items placed there by the khruu.


What Are Their Needs?

In Thailand, the Northern Khmer come at the bottom of educational success, and alcoholism among both men and women is a major problem in many families. Their greatest need is to hear the Gospel presented in a way they can understand.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Khmer, Northern in Thailand.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Khmer, Northern
People Name in Country Khmer, Northern
Natural Name Northern Khmer
Alternate Names Khmer Lue; Thailand Khmer; Upper Khmer
Population this Country 1,502,000
Population all Countries 1,507,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 19921
ROP3 Code 107448
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Surin, Buriram, Chanthaburi, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Thailand
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Surin, Buriram, Chanthaburi, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
78.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
8.00 %
Ethnic Religions
9.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
2.00 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Khmer, Northern (1,502,000 speakers)
Language Code kxm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Khmer, Northern (1,502,000 speakers)
Language Code kxm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Khmer, Northern
Photo Source Kathi Hayes 
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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