Lanna Thais, ethnic Thais descending from the Lanna Thai (One Million Thai Rice Fields) Kingdom, are the dominant ethnic group in northern Thailand and constitute twenty percent of the population of Mae Yao. Lanna Thais have their own culture and history; they consider themselves a distinct but integral part of the Thai ethnic majority that dominates the Thai peninsula.

In Mae Yao, however, Lanna Thais form just another part of the mix, albeit the most powerful part. Being born with automatic citizenship gives the Thais of Mae Yao access to all local amenities. They are able to buy land and vehicles, go to school for free, get proper jobs in the city and vote. Most of the Thais of Mae Yao are farmers, producing corn, rice and fruit for the region. They are also the major service providers, working as shopkeepers, teachers, health workers and local government officials. It would be impossible to ignore the valuable role that Thais play in the community of Mae Yao.

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