House of the Lao Viang Ethnic Group in the Northeast: Traditional Preservation, Adaptation and Cultural Interaction.

Abstract

This article analyzes the cultural intercourse of Lao ethnic groups that settled in the northeast of Thailand through the expression of architecture and space utilization. A comparative case study was conducted in Nakhon Ratchasima and Mahasarakham, then compared with the Lao traditional house in Vientiane. Finally, the data was analyzed, discussed and summarized using historical data. The study indicated that the houses of the Lao Vieng ethnic group in Nakhon Ratchasima and Mahasarakham have some characteristics similar to the Lao traditional housing patterns in Vientiane. Houses of Lao Vieng Mahasarakham are similar to the Lao style in Vientiane, especially in structure, wall system, the position of doors and the use of space. There is evidence of Lao traditional preservation in houses of the Lao Vieng Nakhon Ratchasima for more than 100 years such as the structure and materials. However, they have combined the Korat house pattern and created some characteristics. This phenomenon reflects the cultural adaptation of living in harmony between maintaining the ethnicity, the faith and the tradition and blend it with the Thai Korat culture, which is the dominant group in the area.