 Thai people in the north-east of Thailand, locally known as Isaan are planning to rehabilitate their traditional culture after years of westernisation. Every week, many visitors cross the Mekong River to see the culture in Vientiane because it mirrors the culture that many Isaan people feel they have lost. According to an official at the Friendship Bridge international border checkpoint, over 150 Isaan people come to Laos every day. However, during the dry season, which is peak time for tourism, the number jumps to between 700 and 800 people per day. Local people in Isaan have become frustrated with the increase of western influence upon their architecture, particularly temples, and the way people dress, with a large number of young girls wearing short skirts instead of the traditional "Sinh" Lao skirt. Thai, especially Isaan people are very curious to get their culture back so that they can live in the culture of their ancestors, said the delegates. After collecting information they are planning to promote their original culture back at home to create awareness among young Isaan people. Nothing changes in Laos, the temples are in their original form, there has not been a lot of construction and people are still friendly. According to history, Isaan used to be part of Laos. People on both sides of the Mekong River could go and visit each other easily. They shared the same traditional culture and the same way of life. Inspired by this history, many Isaan people want to rediscover their age-old culture and many of them now take weekly trips to Laos. Today, there are over 20 million Lao people living in Isaan. 16 provinces of northeastern Thailand were once part of the Lan Xang Kingdom until Thailand conquered it. Most people that live in Isaan are Lao descendants, Thai by citizen and Lao by ethnicity so they speak Lao language at home and Thai language for business. |
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