Thai Song Dam : Local Culture, Ratchaburi

Abstract

In Thailand, there are a group of people called “Lao Song” originated from the land of Sib Song Chu Thai (twelve capacity). Their land is located at the interface between China, Vietnam and Laos. They are called himself “Phutai” or “Phutai dam”. The history of this people was a thousand years ago. They are thriving with arts, culture and tradition and inventing the alphabets and calendars for using in their own tribe. The dressing culture is unique. Men and women mainly wear black clothing embroidering with colorful silk on the textile to look nice following their own belief. They respect and focus on spirits and angels that they believe that the natural surroundings mountains, forests, rivers which are resided with different souls and they give top priority to the “prince of the elves (Payathan)” who is in the universe, the souls of parents and the ancestors of the family.
          Therefore, to learn the culture and the way of life of Thai Song Dam in thevillage of Donklang sub – district, Damneounsaduak district in Ratchaburi province is the continuance of the best civilization of Thai Song Dam since ancient times
and pass to the next generations.