Tai Groups of Thailand Vol 1: Introduction and Overview

Tai Groups of Thailand – Introduction and Overview describes the early events of Southeast Asia and today’s territory of Thailand before the coming of the Tai, presents the history after their arrival, informs about the hypothesis of the origin of the Tai race and shows the development of the ethnic Tai people in the context of the many distinct Tai groups and their kingdoms, states and principalities in Asia in general and in Thailand in particular.

Linguistic development and classification of the Tai language, its branches and dialects, is explained as well as the description of the central Thai language. Finally, Tai agriculture and food, Tai handicrafts, Tai architecture and Tai religion are highlighted. Their way of living is clarified with 163 color illustrations and an extensive bibliography for further reading.