The Tai valleys of the Yom and the Nan are ringed by hills held by Mon-Khmer speakers whom the Tai and Lao call Kha.
The Lua of Nan are a distinct, more distantly related people from the Lawa (English Wikipedia). They farm hill rice, gather lac, wax, honey and forest drugs and work with the salt-makers of Bo Kluea. The names are modern; the Chinese trade lists note the products without the people.
Who he is
- Title
- Village headmen of the Kha (Mon-Khmer hill peoples)
- Since
- not known
- Born
- not known
- Family
- None named.
- Confidence
- low
The Lao and Tai exonym "Kha" for the Mon-Khmer hill peoples; modern names Lua, Htin, Mal, Khmu.
What it holds
- The hill ridges of the Phi Pan Nam between the Wang and the Yom
- The ranges east of the Nan toward the Lao border
- Lac, wax, honey and forest drugs for the valley markets
How it was acquired
Native.
Allies and rivals
Trade with the Tai valleys of Phrae and Nan; dependence on their salt.
How things stand that morning
Self-governing villages in the hills.
Wealth
Hill rice, lac, wax, honey.
Military
Village fighters.
Threats
- Valley chiefs taking labour or captives (later chronicles)
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Ethnographic (modern) and the Chinese trade lists; nothing dated names a Kha headman.
On the map: Two ranges standing for scattered villages; no boundaries implied.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.