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Lao Wiang People

1. Origin of Lao Wiang People

Thai-Lao Wiang People, also called Lao Tee, in are a group of Laotians who were forcibly moved from , Lao DPA, 200 years ago, in the reign of King the Great. During 1778-1779 AD, King Taksin the Great, commanded Thai armies to move to suppress since the Laotian royalties were not in unity. At that time, Chaophraya Mahakasatri Suek was appointed as the commander in chief to suppress Krung Si Satta Nak Nahut, Vientiane, Luang Phra Bang, and other provinces nearby. After the battle, the Emerald Buddha statue and Bang Buddha statue was brought from Vientiane to Krung Thonburi (Thonburi Capital City). From the royal profile of His Majesty the King Phra Phut Yot Fa Chula Lok the Great, or King Rama I, before appointed as Chaophraya Mahakasatri Suek, he was in the position of Luang Yokkrabat, the governor of in 1760. In those days, commanders and some soldiers were conscripted from Ratchaburi to join the troops deployed to defeat Phrachao Wiangchan Bunsan. After being defeated, Laotians were forcibly moved to Ratchaburi as captives. Some captives were bestowed by the king as the servants to the army commanders who joined in the battles. The other captives were allowed to set up houses in the arranged territory, which was the area nearby Phaya Mai Temple, District in Ratchaburi Province. The area was taken care by the government. When there were more Laotians’ families, the areas for making a living were extended to the nearby regions. They also crossed the River and went along to the west and settled in the area of Khao Rang Sub-district, Khao Wang Sadueng, Nong Hoi, Nang Kaeo, and in the area called ‘Ban Khong Sub-district’ at the present time. Later in the reign of the King Rama III, in 1826, there was a battle with Chao Anuwong of Vientiane. Some Laotians were forcibly moved to Ratchaburi once more. Afterwards some Laotian families immigrated to live with their relatives and friends. Hence, there were more Laotians in Ratchaburi until King Rama V declared the abolition of slavery. As a result, all Laotian captives in Ratchaburi were free to build houses and make a living in other places. In moving to different places, they were divided into two main groups. One group moved to the west, from Khao Rang to , and settled in various regions such as Na Samo Village, Sung Noen Village, Thamniab Village, Ko Village, Nong Ban Kao Village, and Wang Maduea Village. The other group went to the east from Phaya Mai Temple, and settled in various regions such as villages in Bang Kaeo Sub-district; Wat Ban Khong Village; villages in Ban 2

Lueak Sub-district and in Ban Sing Sub-district; Ban Nong Ri in ; and Don Salao Village, Nogn Pla Duk Village in the region of . Up to the present day, Laotians from Vientiane had set up their houses in for many generations and harmonized with Thai citizens. Therefore, this group of people are called ‘Thai Wiang.’ Thai-Lao Wiang people in the region of Photharam District who settled in the area around Phaya Mai Temple moved to inhabit in the sub-districts of Nang Kaeo, Ban Khong, and Ban Lueak. There were some Thai-Lao Wiang people who were forcibly moved to Thailand in the reign of King Taksin the Great, and in the early reign of the Rattanakosin (Bangkok) Period, those Laotians set up their houses in the area around Mae Klong River, from the place beyond Chaloem Aad Temple to Soifa Temple (in the present). Later many of escaped from the Burmese and moved to the west of Photharam District, and settled there plentifully. The government at that time were afraid that a fight could arise between Thai-Lao Wiang people and Mon people, which might cause a war. For this reason, Thai-Lao Wiang people were moved to the west bank of the Mae Klong River, which was an abundant region. This area is now in the sub-districts of Ban Sing and Ban Lueak. To state that the area where the Mon people are living now were inhabited by the Thai-Lao Wiang people, the place was named ‘Ban Laaw’. The name was later on pronounced in a shorter sound as ‘Ban Lao’. Later on it was officially named ‘Soifa’ Sub- district after the name of the character in Thai literature, ‘Khun Chang, Khun Phaen’. There was a legend of Thai-Lao Wiang people settling in Ban Khong Sub-district in Photharam District. The story goes like this: In the early reign of King Rama I in the Rattanakosin Period, a number of Laotians emigrated from Vientiane led by the monk named ‘Venerable Master Manao Chiao (Pra Ajarn Manao Chiao)’, who had special talents. He knew the language of birds, and also had a great memory. He was able to recite each prayer in a very short period of time, spending the time as short as cutting off a lime. When sleeping, he used a coconut instead of a pillow. There were 3 other relatives who came from Vientiane: an unknown-name layman; an old lady, named Ko; and Mrs. Prathumma, an oracle (a person who can communicate with the spirits). They stayed at Pu Ta Shrine (currently in Ban Khong Sub-district), which was 500 meters away from the north of a deserted temple. When searching for food, they found the deserted temple. After that they moved to inhabit there in the temple and renovated it. Later other groups of Laotians moved to live with their relatives and friends, so there were many people and caused the shortage of water. Consequently, they helped one another to dig a large pond in the west of the temple. 3

While digging the pond, they found a huge bronze gong underground as big as a cart wheel. They hung the gong under the bullet wood tree. With gladness, the villagers hit it with sticks and stones. To their surprises, the gong didn’t make any noise, but when they stopped hitting for a while, it would sound vibrantly loud all over the temple area, the sky became dark, the wind blew strongly causing all the trees to bent. It seemed like the sky had collapsed. All the birds chirped loudly and flew back to their nests. Venerable Master Manao Chiao saw the phenomena arise and knew that calamity would occur. Mrs. Prathumma, the oracle, told all of the villagers that they had made a big mistake hitting the gong for entertainment. The gong was the national treasure. It was a sign of royal power for many generations. The ordinary people were not worth hitting it for the pleasure. In the past, when this gong was dug and used, many disasters occurred. Wherever the sound of the gong went to, all of the people there would face the troubles. After hearing that, the villagers buried the gong back at the same place it was dug from. Thus, they dug the pond elsewhere. That silent dark night, the villagers heard beautiful vibrant sounds of the gong hitting. Everybody heard the sounds, but they were half-asleep. In the morning, they all told one another that they heard the beautiful vibrant sounds of the gong. Hence, all of the people in the village conjoined to give alms, observe the precepts, devote any accrued merits to their ancestor’s souls and glorious gods. Later on, the village was named “Wat Khong Yai (Huge Gong Temple)”, which brought the villagers auspicious and peaceful living until today. The cultural traditions of people at Wat Khong Yai are similar to Thai- traditions. At present, they still speak with a Lao accent, and communicate to one another with . The elderly people have great expertise in growing white mulberry, raising silkworms, and weaving silk. Since there are many people living crowdedly in Ban Khong Sub-district, some moved to make a living in Tha Pha Sub-district in Ban Pong District. They named the new village “Ban Khong Noi”, which means Small Gong Village. They also built the temple and named it “Ban Khong Noi Temple (Small Gong Temple).”

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2. Settlement Lao Wiang people settled on the right bank of the Mae Klong River near Phaya Mai Temple in Khok Mo Sub-district, Mueang Ratchaburi District. When there were more people inhabited in the area, Lao Wiang people extended the area of living along the river in the west and built their houses around Khao Wangsa Dueng, Nong Hoi, Nang Kaeo, and Ban Khong. But when Mon people, who had a higher social status, moved into the area, Lao Wiang people moved to the inner part of the river, 2 kilometers away from the riverbank in the west. These Lao Wiang people are now people in Ban Khong, Ban Bo Krud, Ban Lueak, Ban Sing, Ban Kamphaeng Nuea, Ban Kamphaeng Tai, Ban Don Sai, Ban Bang Lan in Photharam District, and Ban Don Salao, Ban Nong Pladuk, Ban Nong O in Ban Pong District.