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Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine Vol. 5 No. 2 May-August 2007
Vol. 5 No. 2 May - August 2007
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Original Article

Traditional Medical Knowledge of the Phu Tai

Ethnic Group in Northeastern Thailand:

Part 1 Methodology and Samples of Healers

, †
Chayan Picheansoonthon*
Wasuphol Kayormdock*
Songkun Chantachon ‡
§
Vichai Chokevivat

Abstract
This qualitative study was carried out during the period 2005-2006, with the aims of compiling the per-
ception of diseases/ illness among the Phu Tai ethnic group, to describe the health conditions treated and
treatment methods, and to identify the herbs used in their treatment. A list of 461 Phu Thai traditional healers
was retrieved from four of the group’s most populated provincial public health offices, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon,
Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan. Two hundred and sixty-three of these healers were randomly sampled for
general interviews, and six inclusion criteria were proposed for selection of these traditional healers for fur-
ther in-depth studies. Finally, 20 healers (10 herbalists, 6 “blowing” healers, and 4 “Yao” healers) were in-
cluded in this study. Profile interview, socio-demographic interview, free-lists, health condition logs, observa-
tion and unstructured interviews, treatment method interviews, participatory observation and specimen col-
lection were the methodologies applied to gain information. This report is the first part of this research,
dealing with methodology, inclusion criteria of the Phu Tai healers studied, and the healers selected for this
study. The results on the health conditions treated and methods of treatments, their role as health practitio-
ners, uses of materia medica, relationship between healers and local natural resources, and effect of socio-
demographic factors on materia medica knowledge will be discussed in forthcoming papers.
Key words: traditional medical knowledge, the Phu Tai ethnic group, northeastern Thailand, research
methodology, sampled healers

Introduction Tai comprise one of the many Thai-Lao racial groups

The northeastern region of Thailand is consid- living in Southeast Asia. The Phu Tai were originally
ered the largest part of the country, consisting of many from northern Laos, but had slowly migrated to the
racial groups. All of these ethnic groups have their northeastern part of Thailand during the period 1844-
1
own history, culture, beliefs, and traditions. The Phu 1878. Most of the Phu Tai living in Thailand migrated
2
from Khammuan district in Laos . The Phu Tai settled
in certain areas of Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon
*Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Roi
†
The Academy of Science, The Royal Institute of Thailand, Sanam
Et, Ubonratchathani, Udon Thani, and Nongkhai prov-
Suea Pa, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
‡
The Research Institute of Northeastern Art and Culture, Mahasarakham inces, but they are concentrated in four provinces:
University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand
§ Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and
Department for Development of Thai and Alternative Medicines, 2
Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand. Mukdahan.
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