Thai-Isan-Lao.com

Short introductions:

Thai-Isan-Lao Phrasebook
with MP3 sound tracks on CD-ROM.

The Thai-Isan-Lao Phrasebook with MP3 sound tracks on CD-ROM is the first and only book of its kind describing three Tai-Kadai languages comparatively using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).
Part I: Phrases.
Part II: Word lists.
Part III: Grammar by samples.
Part IV: Manuals in reading, writing, and tonal determination.
Appendixes: Alphabets compared, linguistic history etc.
Sound-tracks in 3 languages on CD-ROM read by local residents from Bangkok (Thai), Maha Sarakham (Isan), and Vientiane (Laos P.D.R) covering all texts in the book. Format: MP3. Duration: 6 hours.
www.phrasebook.thai-isan-lao.com

Astro-archaeology: A sundial experiment in NE-Thailand (Isan) and solar orientation of ancient Khmer temples

     Astro-archaeology is astronomy applied on archaeology. Solar observations are used in the final determining the orientation of ancient Khmer temples. The emphasis is on Phanom Rung, where annually 2 sunrises and 2 sunsets are visible through all 15 doorways. Other temples on mountains as Phu Phek, Wat Phu, and Preah Vihear are described too.
     Sundial: An experiment in getting insight in how pre-historic man could have determined the cardinal directions only by using a gnomon (vertical stick) and a water levelled surface. The sundial tells the annual movements of the sun, which between the tropics are characterized by that the sun passes zenith twice a' year.
www.thai-isan-lao.com/sundial.html

Phutai language, culture and history (ภาษาภูไท)

     The Phutai language belong to the Tai-Kadai language stock, but to another branch than Thai and Lao, the speakers of which have difficulties understanding Phutai language. This website contain wordlists, phrases, and writing manual in Phutai compared with Thai, Lao, and English. IPA (International Phonetic System) is used as phonetics.
     Emphasis is put on Phutai language, but culture and history is described as well.
Other local Phutai preservation projects by other authors are hosted as well: Phutai Traditional Healing (Mo Yao), Traditional Phutai Children's Games, Phutai Language and Revival Project.
Phutai Language / ภาษาผู้ไท / ພາສາຜູ້ໄທ