22 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Their culture of eating is similar to the Isan people as their popular food includes sticky rice and
pickled fish. Famous Northern food include green chili paste (Namprik Num), Northern sausage (Sai Oau),
Nam ngiao curry noodles (Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiao), etc. Due to its high mountainous terrain rich in forest,
most of the Northern Thais make their living by raising livestock and agriculture in the lowlands. Their slow
ways of life makes themselves gentle and kind. Through many generations, they continue to adhere
to their native traditions and customs that have been developed into the lifestyles of Lanna people.
Isan or the Northeastern Region of Thailand is diverse in terms of arts, culture and traditions that vary
from place to place due to the ethnic interactions. Isan people have a simple way of life. Despite their poor living
conditions, the Northeast Thais are still very diligent, hard-working, and retain the ancient traditions of the ancestors
strictly, both dialects used in communication and beliefs in spirit of the ancestors and farms. They normally hold
worship ceremonies as they believe that ghosts have superstitious power which can bring them good or bad luck.
Northeastern tradition and indigenous games are unique, such as the tradition of Phi Ta Khon,
rockets, fire boats, Moh-Lam Dance with string musical instrument or reed mouth organ. The show is
fun and lively to replace the arid landscape. Another very famous thing is the food, especially “Som
Tam”, which is popular among people in all parts of Thailand. The indispensable ingredient for Isan food
is “pickled fish” or so-called “Pla Dak” by the Isan people.