| Population |
6,000,000 in Thailand (1983 SIL). Population total all countries: 6,009,400. |
| Region |
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Maehongson, Hot, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit, Tak provinces. Also in Laos. |
| Language map |
Northern Thailand, reference number 31
|
| Alternate names |
Kam Mu’ang, Kammüang, Kammyang, Khon, Khon Meang, Khon Myang, La Nya, Lan Na, Lanatai, Lanna, Mu’ang, Mung, Myang, Northern Thai, Payap, Phayap, Phyap, Tai Nya, Tai Yon, Tai Yuan, Western Laotian, “Yuan” |
| Dialects |
Nan, Bandu, Tai Wang. Nan dialect is more distinct. |
| Classification |
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Be-Tai, Tai-Sek, Tai, Southwestern, East Central, Chiang Saeng |
| Language use |
88% use Northern Thai in the home, 3% use Central Thai [tha], 10% use both. Also use some Central Thai. |
| Language development |
Newspapers. NT: 1914. |
| Writing system |
Lanna (Tai Tham) script, most are not literate in this Old Northern script. Thai script. |
| Comments |
People are called Khon Mung. ‘Yuan’ is their term for Vietnamese. The name Phyap (Phayap) is Sanskrit for ‘north’. Buddhist. |