Native speakers 870,000 (2002–2006) Glottolog phut1244 | ISO 639-3 pht | |
Language family Tai–KadaiTaiSouthwestern (Thai)Chiang Saen – PhuthaiPhu Thai | ||
Phu Thai (Phuu Thai; Thai: Phasa Phuthai, ภาษาผู้ไท or ภูไท) is a Thai language closely related to Tai Dam and Tai Dón, it is less closely related to the Isan and the Lao languages. It may be the same as Tay Khang.
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Speakers
Speakers of the Phu Thai language in Thailand numbered about 156,000 in 1993. They can be found mainly in the areas around Khamcha-i District, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Kalasin and Sakon Nakhon. Phu Thai speakers live as well in the Khammouane, Savannakhet, Saravan, and Champassak provinces of Laos, northern areas of Vietnam, and possibly also in China.
There is little dialect differentiation.
Tai Gapong or Tai Kapong found in the Nape district of Ban Nahuong, Bolikhamsai Province, Laos speak a slightly different dialect.
Status
Despite its rich heritage, and regional use, in Thailand this language group is increasingly becoming integrated into the mainstream Isan language.