Renata KowalskaThe indigenous Thais are the original people of Thailand. They have inhabited the country for thousands of years, and as a result they have shaped it culturally. In Thai, they are referred to as ท้องแค (t’hng kha), which translates directly into English as “original people”. There are several theories regarding the origins of the Thais, with no definitive answer yet available. Some scholars believe that modern Thais descend from various aboriginal tribes that lived in Thailand at different points in history. Others believe that a single group of people migrated from southern China and founded several independent kingdoms before uniting under a central government under the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1949. In any case, it is clear that most of the original inhabitants who live today within Thailand do not self-identify as Thais but rather as ท้องแค (t’hng kha) or “Thailand’s original people” instead. An estimated 8% of the population currently self-identifies with this label, although this figure is likely higher since many do not publicly admit to their true heritage.
If you are wondering what vaccinations you should visit before traveling abroad, read about it on the Vaccines and Travel Medicine page.
What is an indigenous person?
An indigenous person is a person with a distinct history who lives in a specific territory according to their own customs. The concept of indigenous peoples was created by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to distinguish the rights of the indigenous people from the colonizing countries. Indigenous peoples are “the original people of a country, usually living in the remote mountains and forests”. In Thailand, the term has a slightly different meaning, as it does not refer exclusively to the original people of the land. “Thais with Indigenous Ancestry” is an inclusive term used to refer to all Thais with a mix of Thai, tribal, and other ancestries. However, in recent years, the term “indigenous people” has become a more popular term to refer to people with a distinct racial ancestry who want to identify as an “indigenous people”.
Before traveling, remember to vaccinate. You will perform them in the travel medicine clinic.
What does it mean to be indigenous in Thailand?
Being an indigenous Thai means being part of Thailand’s original people, who have inhabited the country for thousands of years. It also means having a distinct racial heritage and having multiple bonds to Thailand, such as language, religion, and culture. To be considered an indigenous person, one should meet at least one of the following criteria: – Be a descendant of the original inhabitants of the land in Thailand, who lived there before the Siamese-Burmese wars that took place in the 17th century and at least 500 years ago – Be a direct descendant of an original person of the land and have lived there for at least five generations – Be a direct descendant of an original person and have lived there for at least one generation.
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Why are some people asking for recognition as an “indigenous person” in Thailand?
There are a few reasons why some indigenous Thais want to officially identify as “indigenous people”. One reason is to obtain legal recognition for social benefits, such as getting government support for services related to the indigenous people. Another reason is to show the world their distinct racial ancestry and Thai identities. And lastly, some people want to be recognized as indigenous to reclaim pride in their ancestors and to fight against the negative stereotypes of the Thai people.
If you are wondering what vaccinations you should visit before traveling abroad, read about it on the Vaccines and Travel Medicine page.
