Alternate Names: Dambro, Pak Tai, Pak Thai, Paktay
Dialects: Tak Bai (Tai Tak Bai), Thai Malay (Tai Islam). A group of dialects more distantly related to other Tai languages. Border dialects are quite distinct from others.
Status Notes: De facto language of provincial identity in southeasternmost 15 provinces.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 4,500,000 (2006 Mahidol University).
Language Use: 81% use Southern Thai in the home, Muslim Tai (Thai Malay) speak only Southern Thai. Also use Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Kensiu [kns].
Language Development: Read Central Thai. Bible portions: 2000.
Writing System: Thai
Nation of Origin: Thailand
Other Comments: Buddhist, Christian, Muslim.