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Northern Khmer people (Khmer: ជនជាតិខ្មែរខាងជើង; Thai: เขมรเหนือ) or colloquially as Thais of Khmer origin (Thai: ชาวไทยเชื้อสายเขมร);[2] mostly referred to as Khmer Surin (Khmer: ខ្មែរសុរិន Thai: เขมรสุรินทร์) is the designation used to refer to ethnic Khmers native to the Isan region of Northeast Thailand.[3][4]
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|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ≈ 1.4 million[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Isan (Buriram, Surin, Sisaket) Eastern (Trat, Chanthaburi) | |
| Languages | |
| Northern Khmer, Thai, Isan | |
| Religion | |
 Theravada Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Khmer, Khmer Krom |
Khmers have had a presence in this area since at least the time of the Khmer Empire.[5] With the fall of the Angkor, the Khmers of the Isan region were subject to increasing Thai influence. In the 18th century, the Thai kingdom officially annexed the former Cambodian province of Surin. The Khmer residents became de facto subjects of the Thai monarchy and a long process of gradual cultural assimilation began.
| Province | Khmer % in 1990 | Khmer % in 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Surin[6] | 63.4% | 47.2% |
| Buriram[7] | 0.3% | 27.6% |
| Sisaket[8] | 30.2% | 26.2% |
| Trat[9] | 0.4% | 2.1% |
| Sa Kaew[10] | N/A | 1.9% |
| Chanthaburi[11] | 0.6% | 1.6% |
| Roi Et[12] | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Ubon Ratchathani[13] | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Maha Sarakham[14] | 0.2% | 0.3% |
Although now a minority, the Northern Khmer have maintained some of their Khmer identity, practicing the Khmer form of Theravada Buddhism and speaking a dialect known as Khmê in Khmer and Northern Khmer in English. Few Northern Khmers are able to read or write their native language,[15] since teaching in public schools is exclusively in Thai.
The Thai language instruction has resulted in many of the younger generation being more comfortable using Thai as a medium of communication. In 1998, Smalley reported renewed interest in Khmer language and culture had resulted in a two-fold increase in the use of Northern Khmer since 1958.[16] However, usage of Khmer has subsequently declined.[17]
In the past two decades, there has been state-directed revitalization of 'local' cultures in Thailand, including of Khmer culture, which has been challenged for adopting a state narrative and insufficiently empowering the Northern Khmer themselves.[18]
Kantrum (Thai: กันตรึม, Khmer: កន្រ្ទឹម) is a popular musical genre in the Southern part of Isan that originated within the Khmer community. The musical accompaniment is similar to that of Cambodian music, includinc both drums and fiddles. The lyrics are sung in Khmer.[19] Popular songs include สาวกันตรึม (‘Kontrum Girl’), รักสาวสะเราะแอง (‘In love with a girl of my country’), รักบ่าวอีสานใต้ (‘In love with a Southern Isan boy’), and คืนลับฟ้า (‘The night sets in the sky’).
An annual festival is celebrated each year in front of Prasat Phanom Rung temple to celebrate the 1000-year-old Khmer heritage of the region. During the festivities, Apsara dancers are parading in front of the temple. [20]
Although it is not anywhere near the scale of the protests of the Khmer Krom in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, some Northern Khmers living in the Isan region have demanded more rights and oppose Thaification of the Surin Khmer. Also, the occasional hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia have made their relations sometimes difficult.[21][22]
A 2016 study revealed genetic distinctiveness between samples taken from two geographically close Northern Khmer population clusters as well as with an ethnolinguistically related group, the Cambodian Khmer. [23]
- Suvadhana — Princess Consort to the King Vajiravudh of Siam. (Khmer descent from Battambang)
- Bejaratana — Princess of Thailand. (Khmer descent from Battambang)
- Khuang Abhaiwongse — 4th Prime Minister of Thailand. (Khmer descent from Battambang)
- Nga Caravan (Surachai Chanthimathorn) — The lead vocalist and songwriter of the band Caravan. (Northern Khmer descent from Surin)
- Chai Chidchob - Former President of the National Assembly of Thailand and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Newin Chidchop - an influential modern Thai political figure of Northern Khmer ancestry
- Siroch Chatthong – Thai footballer of Khmer origin from Battambang
- Sasalak Haiprakhon - Thai footballer (Northern Khmer from Buriram)
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