Thailand Hilltribes

 The Palang

• The Palang are very recent arrivals in Thailand from Burma and they belong to the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family. They have a unique culture, perhaps distantly related to the Karen ethnic group and like the Lua, they may have originally been a lowland peoples.
  
  

• There are at least six villages in the Doi Ang Khang and Chiang Dao areas, but in general, the Palangs can be found in Burma's eastern Shan state where they have been living for several centuries. At present the population there is about 60.000.
  
  

• The Palang are easily recognizable by the striking costumes of their women, consisting of red sarong-like garments, mostly a blue jacket with red collar and broad silver waistbands, together with plentiful silver jewelry. Both women and men like to have silver and gold in their teeth.
  
  

• Since their arrival, the Palang have been encouraged by the Thai government to grow a wide range of fruit crops as well as the traditional rice, corn and beans. Back in Burma, their main livelihood is the cultivation of tanatep, a large leaf to wrap Burmese cigars.
  
  

• Living in raised houses, families are extended with married sons usually living with the parents. Villages have a headman, who usually comes from the largest family, as well as monks and a shaman for curing sickness.

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