[ THE LINEAGE OF THAIS
IN RATCHBURI PROVINCE ]
 "Phahuchartiphun" society, or the various cultures, is one of the most
interesting aspects of like in Ratchaburi. Although their cultural
lifestyles have been changed by time and generations, many groups
still preserve their own ways of like that can be used as a model
for the new generations to study.
These many races, despite their different
beliefs and lifestyles, are able to live together in peace and
harmony, making Ratchaburi a colorful place to live and visit.
[
THAI SONG DAM OR LAO SORNG
]
The original Thai Song Dam lived in Dien Bien Foo, but the group which
moved to Thailand come from Lao during the Napburi period.
At first, they could be found mostly in
Khao Yoi, Phetchaburi, but during the reign of King Rama 4 they began to
move on to Ban Don Klang in Ratchaburi too.
The Lao Sorng have kept their
traditions, rites and ceremonies intact. Even their food and clothing
has managed to stand the test of time. As their name "Dam" or "black"
indicates, the tribe like to dress in mostly black attire. The men
wearing "Suang Kom", while the ladies prefer patterned brocades, with
their hair usually swept up and pinned on top of their heads.
The various Lao Sorng ceremonies are
certainly worth watching if you have the opportunity. Nowadays, most
Ratchaburi Lao Sorng can be found around Ban Don Klang, Amphoe Damnoen
Saduak , Don Khq , Amphoe Ban Phae, Amphoe Chom Bung and Amphoe Pak
Tho.
[
THAI TANAWASRI OR KAREN
]
This is a hill tribe of mixed race, originating from Tibet and
Myanmar. They now live near the Thai/Myanmar border and are the
biggest hill tribe in Thailand.
When they first arrived in this
country, Thai Tanawasri lived in Nong Krarien,
Tambon Rangbua and Amphoe Suwan Pueng, but after experiencing drought
conditions in this area they moved onto the banks of the Pha Chi
tributaries.
Thai Tanawasri have continued their
unusual annual tradition of making and eating rice wrapped in leaves.
This festival can be observed every year during the 9th lunar month ,
which usually falls in August, and is known as the "Suwan Pueng Thai
Tanasri."
The hill tribe have a special costume
which is worn only on important ceremonial occasions.
[
THAI TAE BAN PHOHAK
]
It is often said that the Thai Tae Ban Phohok are really Thais. They
have a distinctive abrupt style of speech and vocabulary , Often using
old colloquialisms.
One of the tribes interesting
traditions is called "Khanara" which is a tradition about love. They
also popularly like to build clusters of Thai-style houses in the
beautiful green and fertile fields and meadows along the banks of the
Phohak. This was the area that inspired, and was chosen for, the
classic Thai film "Plae Kao", which was produced by Churd Songsri and
starred two of the great Thai actors and actresses ; Kwan as the hero
and Riem as the heroine.
[
THE LINEAGE OF
THAI MON (OR PEGUAN) ]
The forefathers of the Mon tribe moved to Ratchaburi during the first
Rattanakosin period and lived beside the Mae Klong River in Amphoe Ban
Pong and Amphoe Photharam. Even now ,they continue to follow their old
tradition of paying respect to the household spirits, and the spirits
of their ancestors. They are also very serious about their Buddhist
religion, believing that they were the first race to bring Buddhism
from India.
The Mon's most important ceremony is
called "Songkran Cho Mon" or "Mon New Year", and is usually held about
one week after Thai Songkran. They have many interesting games, most
notably "Mon Saba" which is a pitch-and-toss game. "Song Phikala" nad
"Phrikadong"
On the final day of Buddhist Lent, the
Thai Mon always go to the various temples situated on the banks of the
Mae Klong River , where they listen to sermons on the story of the
last great incarnation of the Lord Buddha, a story which consists of
many episodes.
[
THE LINEAGE OF
THAI LAOWIENG OR LAOTI ]
The reason for calling this tribe "Laoti" is because of their custom
of saying "ti" at the end of most words. They first came from
Vientianne and settled in Ratchaburi more than 200 years ago. They
reside on the banks of the Mae Klong River atSroi Fa Temple and Papai
Temple. They can also be found within the boundaries of Amphoe Chom
Bung, and in Ban Nasamor and Ban Sungnem. Many of their unique customs
have disappeared now , even the merit-making ceremonies such as the "Sart
Lao" festival , the "Khao Pradap Din" festival of the tenth lunar
month, the "Khao Ji" festival of the third lunar month and the "Prawet"
festival of the eleventh lunar month are no longer observed.
[
THAI YUAN ]
This is the name that the people used to call themselves during the
Lanna period. Documented evidence shows that the Yuan were moved to
Ratchaburi during the reign of King Rama I, when the King gave the
order to attack Muang Chiang Saen to protect the selves from Myanmar.
Most Yuan can be found in Koo Bua, Ang
Thong, Don Rae and Chedihak. They are skilled cart makers and skirt
weavers.
Unfortunately, very few of their
traditions have withstood the test of time, except for an annual
ceremony held before the start of Buddhist Lent. For this ceremony,
the older generation, who have stong Buddhist beliefs, don traditional
clothing to pay
respect to and feed the spirits of their ancestors.
[
THE LINEAGE OF THAI KHMEN
LAO DERM ]
Thai Khmen Lao Derm, or Thai Cambodian Laos, settled here during the
Thonburi period of Thai history. Originally, they lived in Laos but
were forced to move to Cambodia, before being brought to Ratchaburi by
the Thai army. They live along the banks of the Mae Klong River at Ban
Pong Sawai and Ban Kung Nam Wan.
Just one of the Thai Khmen Lao Derm's
traditions remains, which is the order generation's belief that they
must go and inform the spirits in native Cambodian language of any
upcoming auspicious occasions
[
THE LINEAGE OF THAIJIN ]
Thai Jin, of Thai Chinese, were the biggest minority group to come to
Thailand during the reign of King Rama V. Many can still be found
living in Amphoe Ban Pong and around the canals of Damnoen Saduak and
Ban Nok Kwak.
The Thai Chinese who follow Buddhism,
annually have a tradition of taking Buddhist images out in boats for a
trip along the rivers around Prasart Sit Temple. Unfortunately, it is
difficult to be precise about the exact dates of this important and
spectacular ceremony.
The other group of Thai Chinese who
follow Christianity have built many beautiful churches all over
Ratchaburi.
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