Lao people

The Lao people are a Tai ethnic group native to Southeast Asia, primarily inhabiting Laos and northeastern Thailand. They speak the Lao language, part of the Kra–Dai language family, and are the dominant ethnic group in Laos. Significant Lao communities also reside in Thailand’s Isan region, where they form a regional majority, as well as in smaller numbers in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Culturally and linguistically, the Lao share close ties with other Tai peoples, particularly the Thai. The Isan people of Thailand, for instance, are ethnically Lao but nationally Thai. Theravada Buddhism is central to Lao identity, shaping cultural practices and social norms, though animist traditions persist, especially in rural communities. This syncretism reflects a blend of indigenous beliefs and Buddhist influences.

Historically, the terms "Lao" and "Laotian" were used ambiguously in Western contexts. Before Laos gained independence from France in 1953, both terms often referred broadly to all inhabitants of the region. Post-independence, "Lao" typically denotes the ethnic group, while "Laotian" refers to any citizen of Laos, regardless of ethnicity. However, inconsistent usage persists internationally, with some sources conflating the terms. The Lao people trace their historical roots to the Lan Xang Kingdom (14th–18th century), a major Southeast Asian power that solidified their cultural and political identity.