Community History/Location
There is a story that has been told for many years by elderly Thai people about the historic village of Baan Khok Kong, which was established back in 1889. At the time, there were villagers from Khao Hey, Nong Sung (Mukdahan Province) which migrated 2 households, with 19 people, led by Mr. Upphachai to settle in the east of the current Khok Kong and named Ban Thung Bok Tao. Then, about two years later, the Kula people migrated further to settle down in this region, bringing opium along with them too. Kula had a reputation for being dangerous, with robberies and trouble caused to the other villagers. As a result, the villagers eventually had to move all the way back to Ban Khao Hey and the Kula tribe was eventually suppressed. Then, by the year 1906, Khao Hey villagers gathered together to resettle at Thung Bok Tao again, with the new name of ‘Baan Khok Kong’. After that, the people became sick and died due to unknown reasons, which forced the relocation of the village from the east to the north, which is still where they settle today. Now, the Khok Kong villagers are made up of Thai people who still maintain local traditions, such as language, dress, food, customs and culture – no matter how much time goes by.
Location: Moo 5, Kut Wa Sub-district, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province
Primary Occupation
- Agriculture
Secondary Occupations
- Weaving
- Raising livestock
- Wickerwork
- Culture, tradition
- Yao ceremony
- Monthly religious rites
Community Features and Identity
Everyone in the community wears traditional Phu Thai outfits and they continue to converse in their native spoken language, known as ‘Phu Thai’. As for arts and crafts, a group of female weavers makes Phu Thai-style clothes by using both machinery and their bare hands. There is also a wickerwork group that weaves household appliances out of bamboo.
Community Products
- Pha lai khid
- Pha khao ma
- Pha thung
- Handmade shirts
