Urak Lawoi (Malay: Orang Laut; Thai: อูรักลาโว้ย; RTGS: Urak Lawoi) are an aboriginal Austronesian people residing on the islands of Phuket, Phi Phi, Jum, Lanta, Bulon and on Lipe and Adang, in the Adang Archipelago,[1] off the western coast of Thailand. They are known by various names, including Orak Lawoiʼ, Lawta, Chao Tha Le (ชาวทะเล), Chao Nam (ชาวน้ำ), and Lawoi.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Southern Thailand | |
| Languages | |
| Urak Lawoi’, Malay, Thai | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional religion, Theravada Buddhism, Islam |
The population of approximately 6,000 speak a language related closely to Malay but influenced by Thai.[2] The Urak Lawoi are one of several Austronesian ethnicities referred to as "Sea Gypsies" (chao leh in Thai).[3] The local way of life has been changing rapidly in recent years, due to the rapid encroachment of the market economy, and the opening of Tarutao National Marine Park.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Wongbusarakum, Supin. "Changing Ways of Life of the Urak Lawoi (abstract)". Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ^ "Ethnologue report for language code:urk". Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ^ "Chow Lair Village in Ko Sireh". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
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