Urak Lawoi (Malay: Orang Laut; Thai: อูรักลาโว้ย; RTGS: Urak Lawoi) are an aboriginal Austronesian people residing on the islands of Phuket, Phi Phi, Jum, Lanta, Bulon and on Lipe and Adang, in the Adang Archipelago,[1] off the western coast of Thailand.
The population of approximately 6,000 speak a language related closely to Malay but influenced by Thai.
[2] The Urak Lawoi are one of several Austronesian ethnicities referred to as "Sea Gypsies" (chao leh in Thai).
[3] The local way of life has been changing rapidly in recent years, due to the rapid encroachment of the market economy, and the opening of Tarutao National Marine Park.
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