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ISAN
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Image: Thailand Isan.png framed|right|Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand '''Isan''' (also written as Isaan, Issan, or Esarn;
Thai language Thai/
Isan language Isan à¸à¸µà¸ªà¸²à¸™) is the northeast region of
Thailand. It is located on the
Khorat Plateau, bordered by the
Mekong Mekong River to the north and east, and by
Cambodia to the south. To the west it is separated from
Northern Thailand Northern and
Central Thailand by the
Phetchabun mountains Phetchabun mountain range.
Agriculture is the main economic activity, but due to the socio-economic conditions and hot, dry climate output lags behind that of other parts of the country. This is Thailand's poorest region.
The main language of the region is
Isan language Isan (which is similar to
Lao language Lao), but
Thai language Thai is also widespread and
Khmer language Khmer is spoken in the south. Most of the population is of
Lao origin, but the region's incorporation into the modern Thai state has been largely successful.
Prominent aspects of Isan
culture include ''
mor lam'' music,
muay Thai boxing,
cock fighting and the food, in which
sticky rice and
Chile pepper chillies are prominent.
History
''Main article:
History of Isan''
Isan has a number of important
Bronze Age sites, with
Pre-historic art cliff paintings, artifacts and early evidence of
rice cultivation. Bronze tools, such as found at
Ban Chiang, may predate similar tools from
Mesopotamia. The region later came under the influence first of the
Dvaravati culture and then of the
Khmer empire, which left temples at
Phimai historical park Phimai and
Phanom Rung historical park Phanom Rung.
After the Khmer empire began to decline from the 13th century, Isan was dominated by the
Lao Lan Xang kingdom. Thereafter the region was increasingly settled by Lao migrants.
Thailand Siam held sway from the 17th century, and carried out forced
population transfers from Laos to Isan in the 18th and 19th centuries.
France Franco-Siamese treaties of 1893 and 1904 made Isan the
Border frontier between Siam and
French Indochina.
In the 20th century a policy of "
Thaification" promoted the incorporation of Isan as an integral part of Thailand and de-emphasised the Lao origins of the population.
This policy extended to the use of the name "Isan" itself: the name is derived from that of Isana, a manifestation of
Shiva as
deity of the north-east. The name therefore reinforces the area's identity as the north-east of Thailand, rather than as a part of the Lao world. Before the central government forcibly introduced the Thai alphabet and language in schools, the people of Isan wrote in the Lao alphabet. Most Isan people still speak the
Isan language which is closely related to
Lao language.
Geography
Image: Isanrivers.png thumb|px200|right|The rivers of Isan:
1. The Loei
2. The Songkhram
3. The Chi
4. The Mun Isan covers 62,000 square miles (160,000 square km). It is roughly coterminous with the
Khorat Plateau, which tilts from the
Phetchabun Mountains Phetchabun mountain range in the west of the region (the location of several
National parks (Thailand) national parks) down towards the
Mekong Mekong River. The plateau consists of two main
plains: the southern Khorat plain is drained by the
Mun River Mun and
Chi River Chi rivers, while the northern Sakon Nakhon plain is drained by the Loei and Songkhram rivers. The two plains are separated by the
Phu Phan mountains. The
soil is mostly
sandy, with substantial
salt deposits.
Image: Isansatellite.jpg Laos.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|px200|right|A satellite image of Isan: the borders with [[Laos and
Cambodia can be seen due to the greater deforestation within Isan.html" title="Meaning of px200|right|A satellite image of Isan: the borders with [[Laos">thumb|px200|right|A satellite image of Isan: the borders with [[Laos and
Cambodia can be seen due to the greater deforestation within Isan">px200|right|A satellite image of Isan: the borders with [[Laos">thumb|px200|right|A satellite image of Isan: the borders with [[Laos and
Cambodia can be seen due to the greater deforestation within IsanThe Mekong forms a large part of the border between Thailand and
Laos to the north and east of Isan, while the south of the region borders on
Cambodia. The Mekong's main Thai
tributary is the Mun River, which rises in the
Khao Yai National Park near
Khorat and runs east, joining the Mekong in
Ubon Ratchathani Province. The other main river in Isan is the Chi River, which flows through central Isan before turning south to meet the Mun in
Sisaket Province. The smaller Loei and Songkhram rivers are also tributaries of the Mekong, the former flowing north through
Loei province and the latter flowing east through
Udon Thani Province Udon Thani,
Sakon Nakhon Province Sakon Nakhon,
Nakhon Phanom Province Nakhon Phanom and
Nong Khai Provinces.
The average
temperature range is from 30.2 °C to 19.6 °C. The highest temperature recorded was 43.8 °C in Udon Thani province, the lowest 0.1 °C in Loei province.
Rainfall is unpredictable, but is concentrated in the
rainy season from May to October. Average annual
Precipitation (meteorology) precipitation varies from 2000 mm in some areas to 1270 mm in the southwestern provinces of
Nakhon Ratchasima Province Nakhon Ratchasima,
Buriram Province Buriram,
Maha Sarakham Province Maha Sarakham,
Khon Kaen Province Khon Kaen and
Chaiyaphum Province Chaiyaphum.
The other
seasons are the cool season from October to February, and the hot season from February to May.
Economy
''Main article:
Economy of Isan''
image:RfIsaan034.jpg thumb|200px|Growing rice in Isan (September 2004)
Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy, generating around 22% of the Gross Regional Product (compared to 8.5% for Thailand as a whole).
Rice is the main
agriculture crop (accounting for about 60% of the cultivated land), but farmers are increasingly diversifying into
cassava,
sugar cane and other crops. Many farmers still use
water buffalo rather than
tractors. The main animals raised for food are
cattle,
pigs,
chickens,
ducks and
fish.
Despite its dominance of the economy, agriculture in the region is extremely problematic. The climate is prone to
drought, while the flat terrain of the
plateau is often
flooded in the rainy season. The tendency to flood renders a large proportion of the land unsuitable for
cultivation. In addition, the soil is highly
acidic,
salt saline and infertile from overuse.
Since the 1970s, agriculture has been declining in importance at the expense of the
trade and
service sectors.
Isan is the poorest region of Thailand: in 2002 average wages were the lowest in the country at 3,928 baht per month (the national average was 6,445). The region's poverty is also shown in its infrastructure: eight of the ten provinces in Thailand with the fewest physicians per capita are in Isan (Sisaket has fewest, with one per 14,661 in 2001; the national average was 3,289); it also has eight of the ten provinces with the fewest hospital beds per head (Chaiyaphum has fewest, with one per 1,131 in 2001; the national average was 453). The region also lags in new technology: there was only one Internet connection per 75 households in 2002 (national average one per 22 households).
Many Isan people seek higher-paying work outside the region, particularly in
Bangkok, where they fill many of the worst paid and lowest-ranking jobs. Some of these people have settled permanently in the city, while some migrate to and fro. Others have emigrated in search of better wages.
Demographics
Isan's total population as of 2000 was 20,825,000. 40% of the population is concentrated in the provinces of Khorat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. These provinces surround the four major cities of the same names; as of 2000, their populations were:
Udon Thani 220,493;
Khorat 204,391;
Khon Kaen 141,034; and
Ubon Ratchathani 106,552. However, as of 1996 only 6.3% of the region's population lived in municipal areas. Khon Kaen was the most urbanised province (with 12.4% in municipal areas), and Roi Et the least (2.8%). Thus, the population is still largely rural, but concentrated around the urban centres.
Most people are of
Lao origin, although the distinction between the Lao and Thai ethnicities is often blurred. Although there are certain physical features which are more prominent in the Lao, the distinction is primarily one of culture and language. The main language of the region is
Isan language Isan (which is similar to
Lao language Lao).
Thai language Thai is also widespread and
Khmer language Khmer is spoken in the South. The number of speakers of
Isan language Isan has been estimated at between 15 million and 23 million, the majority of these being in Isan. Most of these also speak standard
Thai language Thai, generally more fluently the younger they are.
The
Khorat Thai Khorat dialect, spoken by around 400,000 people, occupies a linguistic position somewhere between Isan and standard Thai.
There is a substantial
Khmer people Khmer minority, concentrated in the southern provinces.
Other languages spoken in Isan are as follows:
{| border=1 cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background-color: #cccccc;"
! Language!! Family!! Speakers!! Distribution
|-
|
Aheu language Aheu
|
Mon-Khmer
| 750
| Sakon Nakhon
|-
|
Eastern Bru language Eastern Bru
| Mon-Khmer
| 5000
| Sakon Nakhon
|-
|
Western Bru language Western Bru
| Mon-Khmer
| 20,000
| Mukdahan, Amnatcharoen, Ubon
|-
|
Northern Khmer language Northern Khmer
| Mon-Khmer
| 1,000,000
| Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Khorat
|-
|
Kuy language Kuy
| Mon-Khmer
| 300,000
| Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, Ubon, Roi Et
|-
|
Nyah Kur language Nyah Kur
| Mon-Khmer
| Unknown
| Khorat, Chaiyaphum
|-
|
Nyaw language Nyaw
|
Tai-Kadai languages Tai-Kadai
| 50,000
| Sakon Nakhon, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom
|-
|
Nyeu language Nyeu
| Mon-Khmer
| Unknown
| Sisaket
|-
|
Phu Thai language Phu Thai
| Tai-Kadai
| 156,000
| Nakhon Phanom, Ubon, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon
|-
|
Phuan language Phuan
| Tai-Kadai
| Unknown
| Udon, Loei
|-
|
Saek language Saek
| Tai-Kadai
| 11,000
| Nakhon Phanom
|-
|
So language So
| Mon-Khmer
| 55,000
| Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Khai, Kalasin
|-
|
Tai Dam language Tai Dam
| Tai-Kadai
| 20,000
| Nong Khai, Khorat, Loei (plus
Saraburi province Saraburi)
|-
|
Yoy language Yoy
| Tai-Kadai
| 5,000
| Sakon Nakhon
|-
|}
As in the rest of Thailand, the population is almost exclusively
Theravada Buddhism Buddhist, although this is combined with elements of
animism.
Culture
Isan's culture is predominantly
Lao, and has much in common with that of the neighbouring country of
Laos. This affinity is shown in the region's
cuisine,
clothing dress,
temple architecture,
festivals and
arts.
Isan food is distinct from
Cuisine of Thailand Thai and
Cuisine of Laos Lao cuisines, but has elements in common with each. The most obvious characteristics are the use of
sticky rice rather than plain rice, as well as fiery
Chile pepper chillies. Popular dishes include
tammakhung, or in central Thai, ''
som tam'' (
papaya salad), ''
larb'' (
meat salad) and ''
gai yang'' (
Grilling grilled
chicken).
These have all spread to other parts of Thailand, but normally in
bowdlerised versions which temper the extreme
Scoville scale heat and
sourness favoured in Isan for the more moderate Central Thai
Taste palate.
Image:Khenesarong.jpg khene.html" title="Meaning of thumb thumb|100px|left|A [[khene player wearing an Isan men's sarong and pakama.html" title="Meaning of 100px|left|A [[khene">thumb|100px|left|A [[khene player wearing an Isan men's sarong and pakama">100px|left|A [[khene">thumb|100px|left|A [[khene player wearing an Isan men's sarong and pakama
Image:Isansarong.jpg thumb|100px|right|A musician wearing an Isan women's sarongConversely Central Thai food has become popular in Isan, but the
French cuisine French and
Vietnamese cuisine Vietnamese influences which have affected Lao cuisine are absent. The people of the region famously eat a wide variety of creatures, such as
lizards,
frogs and fried
insects such as
grasshoppers,
silkworms and
dung beetles. Originally forced by poverty to be creative in finding foods, Isan people now savour these animals as delicacies. Food except soups are commonly eaten by hand.
The traditional dress of Isan is the
sarong. Women's sarongs most often have an
embroidery embroidered border at the hem, while men's are in a chequered pattern. They are worn "straight", not hitched between the legs in Central Thai style. Men also wear a ''pakama'' — a versatile length of cloth which can be used as a
Belt (clothing) belt,
hat,
hammock or bathing garment.
Isan is the main centre for the production of Thai
silk. The trade received a major boost in the post-war years, when
Jim Thompson (designer) Jim Thompson popularised Thai silk among westerners. One of the best-known types of Isan silk is ''mut-mee'', which is tie-
dyed to produce
geometry geometric patterns on the
thread.
The
Buddhism Buddhist temple (or ''
wat'') is the major feature of most villages. These temples are used not only for religious ceremonies, but also for festivals and as assembly halls.
Image:tungsrimuanglibrary.jpg right|thumb|The library of Tung Sri Muang temple, Ubon Ratchathani, illustrates the typical style of Isan.They are mostly built in the Lao style, with less ornamentation than in Central Thailand.
Lao Buddhist sculpture Lao style Buddha images are also prevalent.
Image:Isanhouse.JPG right|thumb|Isan houses are often built on stilts: the area underneath the house can be used as a living area, for storage or for keeping animals. The large jar or ''ohng'' (โà¸à¹ˆà¸‡) to the left of this house is used for storing water.
The people of Isan celebrate many traditional festivals, such as the ''Bun Bungfai''
Rocket Festival. This
fertility rite, originating in pre-Buddhist times, is celebrated in a number of locations both in Isan and in Laos, but most vigorously and most famously in
Yasothon province. Other Isan festivals are the
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival Candle Festival, which marks the start of
vassa in July in Ubon and other locations; the
Khon Kaen Silk Festival Silk Festival in Khon Kaen, which promotes local handicrafts; the
Surin Elephant Round-up Elephant Round-up in Surin; and the ''bangfai phayanak'' or
Naga fireballs of Nong Khai.
The main
folk music indigenous music of Isan is ''
mor lam''; it exists in a number of regional variants, plus modern forms. Since the late 1970s it has acquired greater exposure outside the region thanks to the presence of migrant workers in Bangkok. Many ''mor lam'' singers also sing Central Thai ''
luk thung'' music, and have produced the hybrid ''luk thung Isan'' form. Another form of folk music, ''
kantrum'', is popular with the
Khmer people Khmer minority in the south.
Although there is no tradition of written secular literature in the Isan language, in the latter half of the 20th century the region produced several notable writers, such as
Khamsing Srinawk (who writes in Thai) and
Pira Sudham (who writes in
English language English).
Isan is known for producing a large number of
muay Thai boxers: as with Western
boxing, kickboxing provides a rare opportunity to escape from poverty. Isan's most famous sportsman, however, is
tennis player
Paradorn Srichaphan, whose family are from
Khon Kaen.
The cultural separation from Central Thailand, combined with the region's
poverty and the typically
Human skin color dark skin of its people, has encouraged a considerable amount of
racism against the people of Isan from ethnic Thais; the
novelist
Pira Sudham wrote that,
"Some Bangkok Thais... said that I was not Thai, but... a water buffalo or a peasant". Even though many Isan people now work in the cities rather than in the fields, they are largely restricted to low-status jobs such as
construction workers and
prostitutes, and discriminatory attitudes persist. Nevertheless, the Central Thai perception of Isan is not wholly negative: Isan food and music have both been enthusiastically adopted and adapted to the tastes of the rest of the country.
The process of Thaification has diluted somewhat the distinctive character of Isan culture, particularly in the cities and in provinces, such as Khorat, which are closest to the Central Thai heartlands and which have been under Thai rule the longest.
Transportation
The
State Railway of Thailand has two lines in Isan, both connecting the region to Bangkok. One runs east from Khorat, through Surin to Ubon; the other runs north through Khon Kaen and Udon to Nong Khai.
There are 15,000 km of
highway, centred on the ''Thanon Mitraphap'' ("Friendship Highways") built by the
United States to supply its military bases in the 1960s and 1970s. A road
bridge (the ''Saphan Mitraphap'' or Friendship Bridge) connects Nong Khai to Laos near
Vientiane.
There is little traffic using the
Mekong, as
rapids and variable flow make
Seamanship navigation difficult.
There are
List of airports in Thailand airports at Khorat, Khon Kaen, Ubon, Udon, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Roi Et and Buriram.
Administration
Isan returns 136 of the national parliament's 400 constituency MPs. Preliminary results from the
Thailand legislative election, 2005 2005 election indicated that the
Thai Rak Thai party had taken 126 of these seats, with six for
Chart Thai Party Chart Thai and two each for the
Democrat Party (Thailand) Democrat party and
Mahachon [http://202.60.196.117/election2005/northeast.php].
Isan is divided into 19
Provinces of Thailand provinces, although the south-western province of
Nakhon Ratchasima Province Nakhon Ratchasima is considered by some to be more closely connected with Central Thailand.
Image:Isan provinces.png 250px|right|The provinces of Isan
#
Amnat Charoen Province Amnat Charoen
#
Buriram Province Buriram
#
Chaiyaphum Province Chaiyaphum
#
Kalasin Province Kalasin
#
Khon Kaen Province Khon Kaen
#
Loei Province Loei
#
Maha Sarakham Province Maha Sarakham
#
Mukdahan Province Mukdahan
#
Nakhon Phanom Province Nakhon Phanom
#
Nakhon Ratchasima Province Nakhon Ratchasima
#
Nongbua Lamphu Province Nongbua Lamphu
#
Nong Khai Province Nong Khai
#
Roi Et Province Roi Et
#
Sakon Nakhon Province Sakon Nakhon
#
Sisaket Province Sisaket
#
Surin Province Surin
#
Ubon Ratchathani Province Ubon Ratchathani
#
Udon Thani Province Udon Thani
#
Yasothon Province Yasothon
References
*Alpha Research Co. ''Pocket Thailand in Figures''. Alpha Research Co. 2005. ISBN 9789749254653.
-
Isan: The People and Region of Northeast Thailand
-
Ethnologue report on Thailand
-
Annual population data for Thailand to 1997 (Chulalongkorn University)
-
Population statistics from citypopulation.de
-
Estimates to 2004, from world-gazeteer.com
-
Books/Asedp/pdf/066_cap6.pdf Toward a Knowledge-Based Economy: Northeastern Thailand
-
Pira Sudham's official site
External links
-
Basic Isaan phrases (Some basic Isaan phrases with sound files).
-
Isan Information, Northeast Thailand Cultur, People, Buddhist temples
Category:Regions of Thailand
Category:Isan
bg:ИÑ?ан
de:Isaan
fr:Isan
nl:Isaan
ja:イーサーン
no:Isan
sv:Isan
th:ภาคà¸à¸µà¸ªà¸²à¸™
'''Isan''' is the northeastern region of
Thailand.
Category:Regions of Thailand
see
International Standard Audiovisual Number
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