Name: Ban Malabri
Location: Western Nan Province
Ethnic group: Malabri or Phi-Thong Luang
Photo dated: 1st December 2014

The Malabri is one of the five ethnic tribal groups found in Nan Province. They originate from Chaiyaburi in Laos but many migrated to Thailand’s provinces of Chaiyaphum, Loei, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae and Nan in the last century.
Ban Malabri is a general name for a village of the ethnic group. There are a number of alternate names for this group; Mabri, Mlabri, Yambri, Ka Thong Luang and Phi-Thong Luang. The later name is the name usually used by Thais, as it refers to the tribes’ nomadic way of life. Periodically they would move to new shelters thatched with bamboo leaves when these turn yellow. While tribal origins are based on hunting/gathering they are often employed by other tribes producing such cash crops as maize. Today they are encouraged to settle in one particular area where the children receive schooling.
The Ban Malabri referred to in this review is located near Doi Phu Nang National Park in western Nan Province. It lies 11 kms from the 1091 road to Phayao and about 25 kms from the provincial border. There are about 30 dwellings in the village and a nursery school. Older children travel to other schools where they learn to speak Thai and mix with other tribal children. The village provides workers to neighboring villages.