The Lao Phuan live in Laos, while another large group live in the neighboring country of Thailand. Both groups speak Phuan, a language that belongs to the Chiang Saeng branch of the Diac language family. In Thailand, the term Lao phuan usually means "transported Lao," and refers to any Lao-speaking person. However, the Lao Phuan are a distinct, socially prominent ethnic group who value their own language and identity.

The Lao Phuan claim to be the descendants of the Tai. During the thirteenth century, the Tai immigrated to Thailand from southwestern China due to Chinese oppression. As they journeyed, they conquered many peoples and cultures along the way. From 1827 to 1890, many of the Lao Phuan were taken from Laos to Thailand as captives of war. The largest majority, however, remained in Laos. Throughout their history, repeated cycles of warfare and resettlement have caused massive social upheaval for the Lao Phuan.

Most of the Lao Phuan are subsistence farmers, living in fertile, green valleys where they cultivate wet-rice. They make use of irrigation and terraces and also engage in some "slash and burn" agriculture on the mountain sides. Some Lao Phuan, especially in villages along trade routes, have specialized in occupations other than farming, such as blacksmithing. New road construction projects in the area are allowing more accessibility to markets for them. In addition, as the economy improves, rice farmers have found new jobs as merchants, businessmen, skilled workers, and civil servants.

The Lao Phuan are organized into small village kingdoms limited to a single valley under the control of a chao muong, or prince, to whom the commoners pay taxes. Social justice is usually dispensed by a village headman in the presence of village elders. Within the villages, the wealthier Lao Phuan live in sturdy, teak or mahogany paneled houses that are raised off the ground and have a plank floor and tile roof. The less wealthy live in low-pitched, bamboo-framed houses with thatched roofs and earthen floors. The most important institution in the village is the temple, which symbolizes unity and provides a variety of activities for the people.

The basic social unit of the Lao Phuan is the family. Although the foundation of their social structure is patriarchal (ruled by males), relations between husband and wife are harmonious. There is almost no division of labor by sex. Both men and women plow, fish, cook, tend babies, clean house, and wash clothes.

In general, the Lao Phuan are hard-working, honest, and peaceable. They are thrifty and habitually save things for future use. Lao Phuan social life revolves around "merit-making" ceremonies, ordinations of monks, marriages, and housewarmings. In Bangkok, a large annual celebration called the "ceremony of the rice packet" is held in honor of the spirits.

While the Lao Phuan of Thailand are primarily Buddhist, nearly all of the Lao Phuan in Laos practice traditional ethnic religions. Many of them have mixed Buddhism with folk animism, a practice in which they seek help through the worship of spirits and objects. They believe in guardian spirits and locality spirits, which are identified with different levels of society. They believe that one must please these spirits in order to avoid curses and receive blessings.

The Lao Phuan are without any Christian resources in their own language.

The Lao Phuan women often give themselves and their children to prostitution for economic reasons. These precious women and children need special prayer so that they might find hope, love, and acceptance through Jesus Christ. Loving Christian workers are needed to live among them and show them the love of Jesus in practical ways.

Ask the Lord to send laborers who can minister the love of Jesus to the Lao Phuan.
Pray that God will give the Lao Phuan believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a strong and growing Lao Phuan church for the glory of His name!

Scripture Prayers for the Lao Phuan in Laos.