Khorat Thai

In 1999, Joachim Schliesinger estimated the number of Khorat Thai living in Thailand at 10,000. According to the Christian missionary Joshua Project, the population mainly inhabits two villages, Ban Nung Thap Prang and Ban Nong Samrong, both in the Chok Chai District about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the provincial capital. About 4,000 Khorat Thai live in each village. A few thousand Khorat Thai live in smaller villages in and around Nakhon Ratchasima City. Thailand's 2011 report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination estimated the number of Thai Korat at 600,000, based on the 2005 Ethnolinguistic Maps of Thailand. In addition to Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thai Khorat also inhabit adjacent provinces: • Nakhon Ratchasima Province: all districts, except for the northern part, e.g., Non Sung District, Bua Yai District. • Saraburi Province: Wang Muang District • Lopburi Province: Phatthana Nikhom District, Chai Badan District, Khok Samrong District and Sa Bot District • Phetchabun Province: Si Thep District and Wichian Buri District • Chaiyaphum Province: Chatturat District and Bamnet Narong District • Buriram Province: Mueang Buriram District, Nang Rong District, Lahan Sai District, Nong Ki District, Chamni District and Lam Plai Mat District ==History==

The Khorat Thai can be traced back at least to the late-17th century, when King Narai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom ordered a new city built as the eastern fortress of his kingdom. This was the origin of Nakhon Ratchasima city. The city thus marked the boundary between Ayutthaya and the Lao regions. The Khorat Thai are closely related to the Thai people. Some claim they are descended from Thai soldiers who married Khmer women, though evidence proving this is lacking. ==References==