The relaxed and fun-loving Lao consider one another more valuable than time or production. There is always time for a good ballad sung to a reed instrument known as a knene. The Lao live simply, in raised wooden houses, with a diet that lacks quantity, variety and some needed vitamins. A poor road system deters communication and transportation, but allows these people to stay as they have been. While the Lao see no reason to be a work driven people, when it comes to spiritual things, hard work is the only way to make merit for their sins and keep the spirits happy.
Ethnicity
The lowland Lao, or ethnic Lao, are descended from the Thai people, who migrated south from China in the 13th century. The Thai refer to the Lao people as "Isan," which means northeastern. The Lao in Thailand are closely related to, if not identical with, the lowland Lao (the Lao Loum) in Laos.
Language
Lao is closely related to Thai. Numerous dialects, mostly mutually comprehensible, are spoken by different sub-groups across northeast Thailand and Laos.
Population
Because many Lao living in Thailand are refugees, they are very hard to count. It is estimated that about 288,000 Lao of 10 different tribes live in Thailand, which has a population of 65.4 million.
Location
The Lao live primarily in the northeastern region on the bank of the Mekong River which makes up most of the border of Laos with Thailand.
Culture
The Lao have been influenced by the Khmer culture. In the 14th century the Lao embraced Theravada Buddhism. Village life today still centres around the Buddhist temples. Their houses are made of wood and built on stilts with thatched roofs, although tin is popular these days. The extended family is usually spread throughout several houses in one compound.
Livelihood
The cultivation of rice is the main economic activity. Irrigated paddy fields predominate. Fishing and animal husbandry are important supplementary activities. The northeast of Thailand is still the poorest and least developed part of Thailand, with the highest incidence of poverty, malnutrition and child mortality. The lifestyle of the Lao people is based on seeking subsistence within a natural environment. As a result, the government invests considerable resources in trying to develop the area, the most significant recent effort being Isan Khiaw (the Green Northeast) program, which is attempting to reforest the plateau.
Religion
Lao are predominantly Buddhists, but many retain animistic beliefs. In dealing with day-to-day problems and hardships, Lao are likely to turn to the world of spirits, collectively known as phi. Lao believe in spirits that inhabit certain locations. Many of these spirits, especially village spirits and the rice goddess, receive regular offerings.
Missions
It is not known if there is mission work among the Lao or Isan in Thailand. In any case, very few are Christians. In neighboring Laos, where missionary work is not officially permitted, a number of expatriate believers are ministering through non-governmental organizations administering aid and relief. FEBC broadcasts 16 hours weekly in Lao, Hmong, Khmu and Lahu.