| Total population |
|---|
| 6,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Thailand |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Tai Bueng | |
|---|---|
| Spoken in | Thailand |
| Region | Lopburi |
| Native speakers | 6,000 (date missing) |
| Language family | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
The Tai Bueng (Thai: ไทเบิ้ง, IPA: [tʰaj bɯːəŋ]) are an ethnic group in Thailand. They are also referred to as Lao Bueng (ลาวเบิ้ง).
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The Tai Bueng are located in two villages of Amphoe Phatthana Nikhom (อำเภอพัฒนานิคม) in Lopburi Province.
The Tai Bueng have maintained their unique culture despite being located in the heart of Thailand and heavy Thaification policies. Their distinctive dress consists of chong kaben (a type of pantaloon) with a silver belt. In other ways, they are very similar to surrounding Thai people and the Lao from which they descend. Admittedly, very little has been studied about the Tai Bueng language and culture.
The Tai Bueng believe they are descendants of ethnic Lao from the Lao city of Mueang Uthen (เมืองอุเทน), now located in Nakhon Phanom province along the Mekong River and modern-day Lao border. Although their arrival into Central Thailand is a mystery, it is possible that like other Lao-speaking tribal Tai groups, the Tai Bueng were enslaved or forced into corvée labour and forcibly removed to where they are now.
The Tai Bueng practise Therevada Buddhism.
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