Isan province is an area in the northeastern part of Thailand. During the reign of King Taksin, the country was enlarged to include an area called Champasak and vassal states located on both the left and right bands of the Mekong River. This occurred in B.E. 2319 makig Champasak, or the southern portion of Laos which now known as Ubolrajchatani, Srisaket, Surin, Boi-et, Yaso thorn, Manasarakhom, and Kalasin, a part of the Thai kingdom. This thesis is concerned with the above mentioned area and will refer to it as “Khet Phun Muang Isam” or Traditional Isan Area. Development of this area was historically important to the relationship between Thailand and Laos from the Ayuthtaya period until Thailand lost some of this northeastern srea on the left side of the Meknong River to France. The remaining area was gradually developed until it become one province and was administered as the rest of the country. Since Thailand gave freedom to this area to govern themselves the only commitments were for this area to send Saui(tribute) and to provide labor and military forces. However, as France extended her power over Cambodia and Vietnam, the Thai government has to increase its authority in this area to make it stronger. This caused the life of the society in this area to change in many ways such as the customs, traditions, collection of profits, and laws. But these changes mentioned for the most part responded to the government’s policy. The relationship between this area and the government will probably remain as responsibilities to each other. As for the custom and traditions, basically they will remain the same, although there will be some mixing and assimilation form other areas.
