Thai Leu Tribe in Phrae

[Thetyim]

There is a community of Thai Leu people living in Phrae.
They originally came from The Xishuangbanna region of China.
They keep to themselves mostly but last night they were having a bash and I got invited.

First up is the Thai Leu dancing.

[Thetyim]

Look at the girl on the right, she is only three years old

[Thetyim]

Then their elder sisters had a go

[Thetyim]

[Thetyim]

I was surprised to learn that they were all Bhuddists, even before they moved from Xishuangbanna.
This is the temple they have built

[Thetyim]

The Thai Leu grannies were there too, selling their handicrafts

[Thetyim]

She is making roofing sheets from teak tree leaves.
Ten baht a length but it needs replacing every year

[Thetyim]

Hand fans, little bottle thingies and handbags

[good2bhappy]

nice pics and thread

[Thetyim]

No evening would be complete without a live band and on hand to make it an evening to remember, was the local heavy rock group.
I think the guitarist may be a rolling stones fan.

[Thetyim]

And now the highlight of the evening, ...... the banquet.
It was different.

Definitely on the unkind side of delicious but the better side of edible.
I was worried that the bogs rolls were put out for a reason which would put a new meaning on the expression "fast food"
however I survived unscathed.

[thai-papa-jim]

Interesting photos. Thanks!

[MeMock]

Great stuff Thetyim, not sure how I missed it earlier.

[DaffyDuck]

Very cool.

I know a girl from Phrae, so now it's nice to know what her home is all about.

[Thetyim]

I know a girl from Phrae

Do you know which village she is from?

[astasinim]

Great thread Thetyim. What was the bash in aid of?
I find it interesting to see how each region has its own identifiable dress.

[Thetyim]

What was the bash in aid of?

Just to promote the Thai Leu as a possible tourist attraction.
I and two other farangs were invited along by the head of Phrae tourism.
There are 5000 Thai Leu living in Phrae and they are planning a big get together with members from other regions, Phayao and Lampang

[astasinim]

Good stuff. I hope it works out for them.

[madjbs]

I find it interesting to see how each region has its own identifiable dress.

They are a hill tribe, so that is not a dress style from the Phrae region. They will wear the same style wherever they are living.

[astasinim]

I know theyre a hill tribe. I wasnt trying to imply it was the regional dress for Phrae, but just commenting on, how I find the difference in dress from region to region interesting.

[bobbysan124]

Nice pics.

[Phuketrichard]

thanks, some nice shots. I was up in Mae Hong Son couple of months ago and visted the Padaung tribes and soem Karen refugess camps as well. I love the north for people photography.

[DrAndy]

I know theyre a hill tribe. I wasnt trying to imply it was the regional dress for Phrae, but just commenting on, how I find the difference in dress from region to region interesting.

that is not a dress style from the Phrae region. They will wear the same style wherever they are living.

as he said, it is a tribal dress, not a regional one

[robuzo]

Great thread and photos, thanks!

[Rural Surin]

Lovely cultural extension and images, Thety. Handsome folk, they are.