The Tai Lue are one of the many ethnic groups living in North Thailand that make the North such a fascinating place to ride a motorbike around.
Originally from S-W China, the Tai Lue has one of the oldest recorded histories, with the Lue Kingdom in Yunnan in 1180. In 1570 this Lue Kingdom was divided into 12 tax collection regions now known as Sipsongpanna.
Conflicts between competing kingdoms plus battles with the Burmese saw many Lue migrate south to the North of Laos, Thailand & Myanmar.
In North Thailand the 2 centuries of wars between Burma & Siam also saw much of the ravaged & depopulated. When the Burmese were defeated King Kawila from Chiang Mai set about capturing Lue to re populate towns in the North. In 1805 10,000 Yong from Muang Yong were settled in Lamphun. Nan was repopulated starting from the early 1790s. In 1790, 585 families from Muang Yong were settled in Nan. In 1812, another 6,000 war captives from Muang La, Muang Phong (in Sipsongpanna) and from Luang Phu Kha (northern Laos) were resettled in Nan. Some later came voluntarily because of civil war & anarchy in Sipsongpanna in the 1830s. A civil war in 1836-37 between two aristocratic factions over precious elephants from Laos saw a group of Lue from Muang La (in southern Sipsongpanna) to seek safety in Nan. They established three villages near Thawangpha - Nong Bua, Ton Hang and Don Mun. Later others followed & there are now more than 50 Lue villages in the area.
From Nan many Lue also settled in Phayao province – Chiang Muan, Pong, Chiang Kham.
Chiang Kham is now recognized as the Lue Cultural Centre of North Thailand; & they usually have an annual Lue Cultural festival in March.
In 2017 the festival was centred on Phrathat Sop Waen temple.
as with all good festivals they often start with merit making at the wat.
The money trees came in all shapes & sizes
more to come...
Originally from S-W China, the Tai Lue has one of the oldest recorded histories, with the Lue Kingdom in Yunnan in 1180. In 1570 this Lue Kingdom was divided into 12 tax collection regions now known as Sipsongpanna.
Conflicts between competing kingdoms plus battles with the Burmese saw many Lue migrate south to the North of Laos, Thailand & Myanmar.
In North Thailand the 2 centuries of wars between Burma & Siam also saw much of the ravaged & depopulated. When the Burmese were defeated King Kawila from Chiang Mai set about capturing Lue to re populate towns in the North. In 1805 10,000 Yong from Muang Yong were settled in Lamphun. Nan was repopulated starting from the early 1790s. In 1790, 585 families from Muang Yong were settled in Nan. In 1812, another 6,000 war captives from Muang La, Muang Phong (in Sipsongpanna) and from Luang Phu Kha (northern Laos) were resettled in Nan. Some later came voluntarily because of civil war & anarchy in Sipsongpanna in the 1830s. A civil war in 1836-37 between two aristocratic factions over precious elephants from Laos saw a group of Lue from Muang La (in southern Sipsongpanna) to seek safety in Nan. They established three villages near Thawangpha - Nong Bua, Ton Hang and Don Mun. Later others followed & there are now more than 50 Lue villages in the area.
From Nan many Lue also settled in Phayao province – Chiang Muan, Pong, Chiang Kham.
Chiang Kham is now recognized as the Lue Cultural Centre of North Thailand; & they usually have an annual Lue Cultural festival in March.
In 2017 the festival was centred on Phrathat Sop Waen temple.
as with all good festivals they often start with merit making at the wat.
The money trees came in all shapes & sizes
more to come...
Last edited:
