Editing Mon people

{{Short description|Ethnic group of Southeast Asia}}
{{distinguish|Hmong people|Muong people}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Mon
| native_name      = {{native name|mnw|ဂကူမန်}}<br>{{native name|my|မွန်}}
| image            = 20200206 150859 Mon Girls in Mawlamyaing Myanmar anagoria.JPG
| image_caption    = Mon girls wearing traditional dress in [[Mawlamyine]]
| flag             = Flag of Mon State (2018).svg
| flag_caption     = Flag of Mon people
| pop              = {{circa}} 2.6 million
| region1          = {{flag|Myanmar}}
| pop1             = {{circa}} 1.8 million{{efn|According to [[CIA Factbook]], the Mon make up 2% of the total population of Myanmar (55 million) or approximately 1.8million people.}}
| ref1             = <ref name="CIA geos">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burma/ |title=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA.gov |access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>
| region2          = {{flag|Thailand}}
| pop2             = 500,000{{efn|name=burmese|The exact number of Mon living in other countries is unknown. They are usually counted as Burmese, [[Thai people|Siamese]] or other Asian in censuses.}}
| region3          = {{flag|Laos}}
| pop3             = 9000{{efn|name=burmese}}
| region4          = {{flag|United States}}
| pop4             = 8000{{efn|name=burmese}}
| region5          = {{flag|Canada}}
| pop5             = 650{{efn|name=burmese}}
| rels             = [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]], Mon folk religion, Mon Christian
| langs            = [[Mon language|Mon]], [[Burmese language|Burmese]], [[Thai language|Thai]], [[Lao language|Lao]], [[Isan language|Isan]], [[Northern Thai language|Lanna]]
| related          = {{ubl|Other [[Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic]] groups}}
                {{hlist|item_style=font-size:90%;
                |([[Monic languages|Monic]] – [[Nyah Kur people|Nyah Kur]])| 
                }}
}}
The '''Mon''' ({{langx|mnw|ဂကူမန်}}{{audio|LL-Q13349 (mnw)-咽頭べさ-ဂကူမန်.wav|listen}}; Thai Mon: ဂကူမည်; {{langx|my|မွန်လူမျိုး‌}}, {{IPA|my|mʊ̀ɰ̃ lù mjó|pron}}; {{langx|th|[[wikt:มอญ|มอญ]]}}, {{IPA|th|mɔ̄ːn|pron}} {{audio|Mon (TH).ogg|listen}}) are an [[ethnic group]] who inhabit [[Lower Myanmar]]'s{{sfn|Bauer|1990|p=14}} [[Mon State]], [[Kayin State]], [[Kayah State]],<ref>{{cite report|url=http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/588511569836274915/pdf/Myanmar-Peaceful-and-Prosperous-Communities-Project-Social-Assessment.pdf|title=Myanmar - Peaceful and Prosperous Communities Project : Social Assessment|author=World Bank Group|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref> [[Tanintharyi Region]], [[Bago Region]], the [[Irrawaddy Delta]], and several areas in [[Thailand]] (mostly in [[Pathum Thani province]], [[Phra Pradaeng district|Phra Pradaeng]] and [[Nong Ya Plong district|Nong Ya Plong]]).{{sfn|Foster|1973|page=204}}{{sfn|Bauer|1990|page=19–23}}<ref name="efe">{{Cite web|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/life/mon-thai-minority-who-once-ruled-southeast-asia/50000263-3283779|title=Mon, Thai minority who once ruled Southeast Asia|publisher=Agencia EFE|author=Gaspar Ruiz-Canela|date=June 1, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> The native language is [[Mon language|Mon]], which belongs to the [[Monic languages|Monic]] branch of the [[Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic]] language family and shares a common origin with the [[Nyah Kur language]], which is spoken by the [[Nyah Kur people|people of the same name]] that live in [[Northeastern Thailand]]. A number of languages in Mainland Southeast Asia are influenced by the Mon language, which is also in turn influenced by those languages.{{sfn|Matisoff|1991|p=482}}{{sfn|McCormick|Jenny|2013|p=86}}{{sfn|Jenny|2013}}

The Mon were one of the earliest to reside in [[Southeast Asia]], and were responsible for the spread of [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]] in [[Mainland Southeast Asia]].{{sfn|Swearer|2002|p=130–131}}<ref name="khinmay">{{Cite conference|author=Khin May Aung|conference=International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies|chapter-url=https://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/History/Khin-May-Aung-2015-Historical_Perspectives_on_Mon_Settlements_in_Myanmar-en.pdf|title=Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenge|chapter=Historical Perspective on Mon Settlements in Myanmar|date=July 24, 2015}}</ref> The civilizations founded by the Mon were some of the earliest in Thailand [[Prehistory of Myanmar#Pre-Pagan period|as well as Myanmar]] and [[Laos]]. The Mon are regarded as a large exporter of Southeast Asian culture.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Desakura|date=February 24, 2020|title=Where does the Mon Pak Lad shortcut?|url=https://stationremodel.com/2020/01/24/where-does-the-mon-pak-lad-shortcut/|access-date=August 7, 2020|website=Stationremodel}}</ref> Historically, many cities in [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]], and [[Laos]] today, including [[Yangon]], [[Pathum Thani province|Pathum Thani]], [[Lamphun]], [[Lampang]] and [[Vientiane]] were founded either by the Mon people or Mon rulers.

Nowadays, the Mon are a major [[List of ethnic groups in Myanmar|ethnic group in Myanmar]] and a minor [[Ethnic groups in Thailand|ethnic group in Thailand]].<ref name="efe"/> The Mons from Myanmar are called Burmese Mon or Myanmar Mon. The Mons from Thailand are referred as Thai Raman or Thai Mon.{{sfn|Foster|1973|page=211}}{{sfn|Ngamying|Keeratiburana|Thidpad|2014}} The Mon dialects of Thailand and Myanmar are [[mutually intelligible]].{{sfn|Bauer|1990|p=34}}

==Ethnonyms==
The Mon have been referred to by different names by different groups throughout history. During the pre-colonial era, the Burmese called them ''Talaing'' (တလိုင်း), which was adopted by the [[British people|British]] during the colonial era. The term "Peguan" was also used by Europeans when [[Bago, Myanmar|Pegu]] was the capital of [[Lower Myanmar]].{{sfn|Bauer|1990|p=16}}{{sfn|South|2002}}

The use of "Talaing" has been found on inscriptions dating back to the 11th century,<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url=https://archive.org/details/MiscellaneousNotesOnTheWordtalaing|title=Miscellaneous Notes on the Word "Talaing"|journal=SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research|date=2006|volume=4|issue=2|page=91−92}}</ref> but it is now considered a pejorative term and is no longer widely used, except in the context of specific historical terms, such as the eponymous song genre in the [[Mahagita]], the corpus of Burmese classical songs.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Garifas |first=Robert |date=1985 |title=The Development of the Modern Burmese Hsaing Ensemble |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/834011 |journal=Asian Music |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=1–28 |doi=10.2307/834011 |jstor=834011 |issn=0044-9202}}</ref> The etymology of Talaing is debated; it may be derived from Mon, or is a reference to [[Telinga]] or [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kaling]]a, a geographic region in southeast India.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=Aung-Thwin |first=Michael |title=Lower Burma and Bago in the History of Burma |date=2002-01-01 |url=https://brill.com/display/book/9789004502079/B9789004502079_s005.xml |work=The Maritime Frontier of Burma |pages=25–57 |access-date=2023-09-28 |publisher=Brill |language=en |doi=10.1163/9789004502079_005 |isbn=978-90-04-50207-9}}</ref> During the 12th century, the term acquired a derogatory connotation within the Mon community, when it became used by the Mon as a disparaging epithet for the mixed offspring of Mon women and foreign men.<ref name=":0" />

The term "Mon" (spelt {{lang|mnw|မန်}}in Mon and {{lang|my|မွန်}} in Burmese), which is synonymous with the Burmese word for 'noble,'<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=SEAlang Library Burmese Lexicography |encyclopedia=Myanmar–English Dictionary |publisher=Myanmar Language Commission |url=http://sealang.net/burmese/dictionary.htm?%E1%80%99%E1%80%BD%E1%80%94%E1%80%BA |access-date=September 12, 2018 |date=1993 |isbn=1881265471}}</ref> was likely derived from Old Mon "rmeñ" by way of Middle Mon "rman" (ရာမန်).<ref name="mistoflower" />{{sfn|South|2002}} The ethnonym "rmeñ" was first recorded in the [[Kyanzittha|Kyanzittha’s]] New Palace Inscription of AD 1102 in Myanmar. Derivatives of this ethnonym have been found in 6th to 10th-century Old Khmer and 11th-century Javanese inscriptions.<ref name="mistoflower">{{cite book|title=The Mists Of Ramanna: The Legend That Was Lower Burma|url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/e20971fc-2dc2-4fc0-ba00-0780fb97cb9e/content|author=Michael A. Aung-Thwin|date=January 1, 2005|publisher=Univ of Hawaii Pr|language=en|isbn=0824828860}}</ref>{{rp|44–58}} The geographic term [[Rāmaññadesa]], which now refers to the Mon heartland on the Burmese coast, was coined by King [[Dhammazedi]] in 1479.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Aung-Thwin |first=Michael |date=2008 |title="Mranma Pran": When Context Encounters Notion |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20071884 |journal=Journal of Southeast Asian Studies |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=193–217 |doi=10.1017/S0022463408000179 |jstor=20071884 |s2cid=154992861 |issn=0022-4634}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rāmañña |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100402836 |access-date=April 11, 2021 |website=Oxford Reference}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2009 |title=Ramanna, Rāmañña: 1 definition |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ramanna |access-date=April 11, 2021 |website=Wisdom Library}}</ref>

The Mon of Myanmar are divided into three sub-groups based on their ancestral region in Lower Myanmar, including ''Mon Nya'' ({{lang|my|မန်ည}}; {{IPA|/mòn ɲaˀ)}} from [[Pathein]] (the Irrawaddy Delta) in the west, ''Mon Tang'' ({{lang|my|မန်ဒိုင်}}; {{IPA|/mòn tàŋ/}}) in [[Bago, Myanmar|Bago]] in the central region, and ''Mon Teh'' ({{lang|my|မန်ဒ}}; {{IPA|/mòn tɛ̀ˀ/}}) at [[Mottama]] in the southeast.{{sfn|Stewart|1937}}
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== Distribution ==
who inhabit [[Lower Myanmar]]'s{{sfn|Bauer|1990|p=14}}[[Mon State]], [[Kayin State]]<ref>{{cite report|url=http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/588511569836274915/pdf/Myanmar-Peaceful-and-Prosperous-Communities-Project-Social-Assessment.pdf|title=Myanmar - Peaceful and Prosperous Communities Project : Social Assessment|author=World Bank Group|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref>, [[Tanintharyi Region]], [[Bago Region]], the [[Irrawaddy Delta]], the southern Myanmar border with [[Thailand]], and several areas in Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/life/mon-thai-minority-who-once-ruled-southeast-asia/50000263-3283779|title=Mon, Thai minority who once ruled Southeast Asia|website=www.efe.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>{{sfn|Foster|1973|page=204}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Food in merit-making ceremonies of Thai-Mon descendants and Mon workers: A case study on food of Sao Kradong Mon community, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Province|url=https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journal-la/article/view/164044|date=30 December 2018|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mon in Korat|url=http://www.koratmuseum.com/download/mon-in-korat.pdf|access-date=25 February 2021|lang=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JHUMANS/article/view/213162|title=Needs and Use of Learning Center and Learning Network of Mon Communities in Lamphun Province|date=30 August 2019|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.damrong-journal.su.ac.th/upload/pdf/102_5.pdf|title="Ban Thung-Khen": The Contemporary Mon Ethnic Community of Suphanburi|access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref>
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==History==
===Prehistory===
The Mon people, who descended from [[Proto-Austroasiatic]] people, are believed to have migrated from the [[Yangtze|Yangtze Kiang]]  valley in Southern China to Southeast Asia between 3,000 and 2,000 BCE, along the [[Mekong]], [[Salween River|Salween]], [[Sittaung River|Sittaung]], [[Irrawaddy River|Irrawaddy]], [[Ping River|Ping]] and [[Chao Phraya River|Chao Phaya]] rivers.{{sfn|Topich|Leitich|2013|p=14–15}}<ref name="khinmay"/><ref>{{Cite book|title=History of Burma in pictures|last=Tun|first=Than}}</ref><ref name="roler">{{Cite journal|title=The Trend of the Role of Ramañña Nikāya in the Next Decade in Mon State|journal=The Journal of International Association of Buddhist Universities |volume=11|issue=3|url=https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/Jiabu/article/view/219120|date=Jun 30, 2018|author=Za Wa Na, V.|pages=194–211}}</ref>{{rp|196}} They eventually settled in locations including as far south as [[Malay Peninsula|Malaya]].<ref name="khinmay"/>{{sfn|Andaya|2001|p=319}} Along the way, they brought with them the practice of riverine agriculture, including the cultivation of [[wet rice]].{{sfn|Pan Hla|1991}}{{sfn|Blench|2018|p=174–193}} Modern linguistic research by [[Paul Sidwell|Sidwell]] (2021) suggests that the locus of Proto-Austroasiatic people was in the [[Red River Delta]] area of [[Northern Vietnam]], around 4,000-4,500 years before present.<ref name="Sidwell2021">{{cite book|last=Sidwell|first=Paul|date=2022|chapter=Austroasiatic Dispersal: the AA "Water-World" Extended|title=JSEALS Special Publication No. 8: Papers from the 30th Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (2021)|chapter-url=https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10524/52498/1/JSEALS_Special_Publication_8_SEALSXXX.pdf|publisher=University of Hawai’i Press}} ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QREB1UttWTI Video presentation)]</ref>

===Early history===
{{see also|Mon kingdoms|Dvaravati|Lavo Kingdom|Hariphunchai}}
[[File:Ban-talat-Mon-inscription.jpg|thumb|180px|The Ban Tha Lat Mon inscription, dated 9th century CE, was discovered in 1968 in an area where other archaeological evidence confirmed the presence of the ancient Mon people. It is now located at the Ho Phra Kaeo Museum in Vientiane, Laos<ref>{{citation|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/265360818.pdf|title=The Diffusion of Lao Scripts|page=6|first=Michel|last=Lorrillard|access-date=26 February 2021|date=12 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://pdfslide.net/documents/inscription-laos.html|title=Mon inscription in Laos|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref>]]
[[File:Mon political entities.png|Political entities of the Mon people around the 6th-7th centuries.|thumb|180px]]
[[File:DvaravatiMapThailand.png|thumb|180px|Spread of [[Dvaravati art|Dvaravati Culture]] and [[Dvaravati|Mon Dvaravati]] sites.]]
[[File:Map-of-southeast-asia 900 CE.png|thumb|180px|Map of Southeast Asia c. 900 CE, showing the [[Hariphunchai]] in light green.]]
[[File:พระนางจามะเทวี - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|266x266px|Queen regnant [[Camadevi]] Monument in [[Lamphun]], Thailand]]
The Mon are believed to have been one of the earliest peoples of [[Mainland Southeast Asia]].{{sfn|Pan Hla|1991|page=15}}<ref>{{citation|title=MON STATE PROFILE|publisher=UNHCR|date=June 2014|url=https://themimu.info/sites/themimu.info/files/documents/Infographic_MonStateProfile_UNHCR_June2014.pdf|quote=The Mon people are one of the oldest civilizations in South-East Asia, with a recorded history dating back more than a millennium, and are believed to be a major source of influence for the cultures of Myanmar and Thailand, particularly regarding the spread of Buddhist religion.}}</ref> They established some of the earliest civilizations in the region, including [[Dvaravati]] in Central Thailand, which spread its culture into Northeastern Thailand, Sri Gotapura in Central Laos (modern Sikhottabong, Vientiane Prefecture),<ref name="l1">{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=seglAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA328|title=Historical Dictionary of Laos|author=Martin Stuart-Fox|date=6 February 2008|page=328|publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810864115|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="l2">{{cite web|url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/57571|title=The That Phanom chronicle : a shrine history and its interpretation|author=Phra Thep Rattanamoli|date=1976|access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref>{{rp|6,7}}<ref name="l3">{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCMgBlhtm8sC|title=Culture and Customs of Laos|date=2009|first=Arne|last=Kislenko|access-date=26 February 2021|page=19|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=9780313339776}}</ref><ref name="l4">{{cite web|url=https://vietlongtravel.com/news/laos-history/the-mon-and-khmer-kingdoms|title=The Mon and Khmer Kingdoms|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.heritagecruise.net/laos/laos-history/the-mon-a-khmer-kingdoms.html |title=Sri Gotapura |access-date=2013-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031024149/http://www.heritagecruise.net/laos/laos-history/the-mon-a-khmer-kingdoms.html |archive-date=2014-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Hariphunchai|Hariphunchai Kingdom]] in Northern Thailand, and the [[Thaton Kingdom]] in Lower Myanmar.<ref name="Coedes"/>{{rp|63,76–77}}The Mon were the first to receive [[Theravada Buddhist]] missionaries from [[Sri Lanka]], in contrast to their [[Hindu]] contemporaries such as Cham peoples.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Geography of Religion: Faith, Place, and Space|author=Roger W. Stump|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|date=2008|isbn=978-0742581494}}</ref>{{rp|153}} They adopted the [[Pallava script]], and the oldest form of the [[Mon script]] was discovered in a cave in modern-day [[Saraburi]], dating back to around 550 CE.<ref>{{citation|url=https://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/jiabs/article/view/8854|title=The Advent of Theravāda Buddhism to Mainland South-east Asia|author=Peter Skilling|journal=Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies|date=30 June 1997|pages=93–107|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/1991/03/JSS_079_1f_Bauer_MonEpigraphy.pdf|title=Notes on MON Epigraphy|author=Christian Bauer|date=1991|access-date=26 February 2021|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/128261411/Inscription-Narai|title=Inscription Narai
|author=Bee Htaw Monzel|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> Although no remains have been found from the Thaton Kingdom, it is widely mentioned in Bamar and Lanna chronicles.

According to the Northern Thai Chronicles, the city of [[Lavo Kingdom|Lavo]] (modern Lopburi) was founded by Phaya Kalavarnadishraj in 648 CE. He reportedly came from Takkasila, which is assumed to be the city of [[Tak Province|Tak]] or [[Nakhon Pathom Province|Nakhon Chai Si]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://kids-d.swu.ac.th/dspace/bitstream/123456789/1370/2/p02.pdf|title=ลพบุรีที่น่ารู้|page=5|author=Huan Phinthuphan|access-date=March 1, 2021|date=1969|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.thapra.lib.su.ac.th/objects/thesis/fulltext/thapra/Saritpong_Khunsong_Doctor/fulltext.pdf|title=พัฒนาการทางวัฒนธรรมของเมืองนครปฐมโบราณในช่วงก่อนพุทธศตวรรษที่ 19|author=Saritpong Khunsong|date=2010|access-date=March 1, 2021|language=th}}</ref>{{rp|29}}<ref>{{citation|url=https://arit.kpru.ac.th/contents/pdf/local/1289.pdf|title=กําแพงเพชร เมืองก่อนประวัติศาสตร์|language=th|date=February 28, 2021|access-date=March 1, 2021}}</ref> Another historical figure, Phaya Kakabatr, is believed to have also come from Takkasila and established the [[Chula Sakarat]] era in 638 CE,<ref>{{cite book|language=th|title=ตามพรลิงค์ศรีวิชัยอาณาจักรที่ถูกลืม|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lnRuAAAAMAAJ|isbn=9747115093|author=Sanphet Thammāthikun|publisher=Samnakphim Matichon|date=1995|access-date=March 2, 2021}}</ref>{{rp|22}} which was used by the Siamese and Burmese until the 19th century. Phaya Kalavarnadishraj, the son of Phaya Kakabatr, founded Lavo a decade later. By the late 7th century, Lavo had expanded to the north. The legendary Queen [[Camadevi]], who was said to be a daughter of a Lavo king, according to the Northern Thai Chronicle [[Cāmadevivaṃsa]], came to rule as the first queen of [[Hariphunchai]] (modern Lamphun) around 750-800 CE.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Swearer|first1=Donald K.|title=The Legend of Queen Cama: Bodhiramsi's Camadevivamsa, a Translation and Commentary|date=1998|publisher=State University of New York Press|location=Albany, New York|isbn=0791437752|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hFCMhlaj4bkC&q=Camadevivamsa&pg=PR9|first2=Sommai|last2=Premchit|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/johnjadd-3524a.appspot.com/o/ySroOyFbNphMLJ9kMTSmDpxsJeX2%2Fpdf%2F1547179111436-RT10_2Ch07%20Camadevi%20Worship%20%20Legend%20Reproduction%20and%20Social%20Space%20Construction.pdf?alt=media&token=fe0a1975-2a1b-41e2-8975-ef030228c936|title=Camadevi Worship: Legend Reproduction and Social Space Construction|date=2017|access-date=26 February 2021|author=Warisara Anantato}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Z9ODwAAQBAJ&q=Hariphunchai&pg=PT348|title=Discovery of Prehistory Ancient India|isbn=9781532037900|access-date=26 February 2021|last1=Motwani|first1=Dr. Jagat K.|date=22 February 2018|publisher=iUniverse }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/thailand/history-haripunjaya.htm|title=Thailand - 799–1292 - Hariphunchai / Haripunjaya Period|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> A few years later, her son Prince Anantayot founded Khelang Nakhon (modern [[Lampang]]), playing a significant role in the history of the Hariphunchai Kingdom.<ref>{{citation|url=https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/abc/article/view/206630|title=Music Composition Queen Chamdevi Suite|date=June 24, 2020|access-date=March 3, 2021|author=Chattiya Khieti-navy|author2=Bussakorn Binson|author3=Kumkom Pornprasit}}</ref>{{rp|28}}

After the year 1000 CE, the Dvaravati Mon people faced constant pressure from [[Tai peoples|Tai]] migrations from the north and [[Khmer people|Khmer]] invasions from the east.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Golden Peninsula: Culture and Adaptation in Mainland Southeast Asia|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|date=1994|author=Charles F. Keyes|isbn=082481696X}}</ref>{{rp|75,76}} Many Dvaravati Mons fled to join other Mon civilizations in the present-day Lower Myanmar, while their descendants, the [[Nyah Kur people]], still reside in Northeastern Thailand. Despite the pressure from the [[Northern Thai people]], the Hariphunchai kingdom managed to survive as a Mon outpost in Northern Thailand.

[[File:Myazedi-Inscription-Mon.JPG|thumb|234x234px|[[Myazedi inscription|Myazedi Inscription (AD 1113)]] in Mon language in [[Bagan]]. One of the oldest surviving stone inscriptions in Myanmar.|alt=]]
In 1057 CE, King [[Anawrahta]] of the [[Pagan Kingdom]] conquered the [[Thaton Kingdom]] of the Mon people in Lower Burma.<ref name="Coedes"/> The Mon culture and script had a significant influence on the [[Bamar people|Bamar]], bringing the Mons under Bamar control for the first time. Despite this, the Mon remained a majority in Lower Burma.{{sfn|Harvey|1925|page=307}}<ref>{{cite book | last=Htin Aung | first=Maung | title=A History of Burma | url=https://archive.org/details/historyofburma00htin | url-access=registration | publisher=Cambridge University Press | location=New York and London | year=1967}}</ref>{{rp|32,33}}

On one hand, the Hariphunchai Kingdom of the Mon prospered during the reign of King Aditayaraj in the early twelfth century. He is said to have fought wars with [[Suryavarman II]] of [[Angkor]] between 1113 and 1150 CE<ref name=Coedes>{{cite book|last= Coedès|first= George|author-link= George Coedès|editor= Walter F. Vella|others= trans. Susan Brown Cowing|title= The Indianized States of Southeast Asia|year= 1968|publisher= University of Hawaii Press|isbn= 978-0-8248-0368-1}}</ref>{{rp|161,195}} and constructed the [[Wat Phra That Hariphunchai|Hariphunchai stupa]]

In 1289, [[Mangrai]] also known as ''Mengrai''{{efn|The name "Mangrai" is the historical name used in most modern scholarly applications. "Mengrai," which was popularized by a 1907 publication, is more commonly found in popular usage. It is important to note that "Meng" is the Thai Yuan ethnonym for the Mon people}} was visited by merchants from the Mon kingdom of [[Haripunchai]]. Hearing of the wealth of that kingdom, he determined to conquer it, against the advice of his counselors.<ref name="Wyatt-Thailand">Wyatt, D. K. Thailand, A Short History, p. 35–38, Bangkok 2003</ref> As it was thought impossible to take the city by force, Mangrai sent a merchant named Ai Fa as a [[mole (espionage)|mole]] to gain the confidence of its Phaya Yi Ba. In time, Ai Fa became the Chief Minister and managed to undermine the King's authority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dl.kids-d.org/handle/123456789/1135|title=Chiang Mai : Nop Buri Si Nakhon Ping|author=Ministry of Education|date=1 January 2002|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref>{{rp|38}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Janos Jany|page=288|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-RHcDwAAQBAJ&q=Hariphunchai+ai+fa&pg=PA288|title=Legal Traditions in Asia: History, Concepts and Laws|date=8 April 2020|publisher=Springer |isbn=9783030437282|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> In 1292, taking advantage of discontent among the people, Mangrai defeated the Mon kingdom of Haripunchai and added it to his [[Lanna Kingdom|kingdom]].<ref name="roler"/>{{rp|196}} Phaya Yi Ba, the last king of Hariphunchai, was forced to flee south to [[Lampang]].<ref name=Coedes/>{{rp|208–209}} A few years later, Phaya Yi Ba's son, King Boek of [[Lampang]], attacked [[Chiang Mai]] with a large army. King Mangrai and his second son, Prince Khram, led the defence against the Lampang army. Prince Khram defeated King Boek in personal combat on elephant-back at Khua Mung, a village near Lamphun. King Boek fled by way of the Doi Khun Tan mountain range between Lamphun and Lampang, but he was caught and executed.<ref name="Wyatt-Thailand"/> King Mangrai's troops occupied the city of Lampang, and Phaya Yi Ba was made to flee further south, this time to [[Phitsanulok]]. The Mon culture was integrated into [[Lan Na|Lan Na culture]]. The Lan Na adopted the Mon script and religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/34506710/544360.pdf|title=Traditional Thai historiography and its nineteenth century decline|access-date=26 February 2021|author=Winai Pongsripian}}</ref>{{rp|29,30}}<ref name="dv1">{{cite web|url=https://pathsunwritten.com/thailand-dvaravati-culture/|title=Cultural Profile: Dvaravati, Ancient Thailand's Lost Civilization|author=Benjamin|date=4 August 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="lpw">{{cite web|url=http://www.lamphun.go.th/en/information/aboutus/9/history-of-lamphun-province|title=History of Lamphun Province|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref>

=== 13th to 15th centuries ===
[[File:Rajadhirat-kamarwet-2.jpg|thumb|175px|Statue of King [[Razadarit]] ruled [[Hanthawaddy Kingdom|Hanthawaddy]] from 1384 to 1421 and successfully unified his Mon-speaking kingdom. He also successfully defended it against [[Ava Kingdom]]'s attacks during the [[Forty Years' War]].]]
In 1287, the collapse of the [[Pagan Kingdom]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India|author=Dr Th. Suresh Singh|publisher=Quills Ink Publishing|date=2014|isbn=978-9384318000}}</ref>{{rp|84}} created a power vacuum. [[Wareru]], who was born to a Mon mother and a [[Tai peoples|Tai]] father in [[Donwun]] Village in the Thaton District,<ref>{{cite book|title=The Relationship Between the Art and History of the Thai People|author=Nō̜. Na Pāknam|publisher=Office of the National Cultural Commission|date=1985}}</ref> went to [[Sukhothai Kingdom|Sukhothai]] for trade and later eloped with the daughter of the king.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=69}} He established himself as king of the Mon in [[Martaban]] (present-day [[Mottama]]),{{sfn|South|2002|pages=69}} and later moved the capital to [[Pegu]]. His [[Hanthawaddy Kingdom]], which existed from 1287 to 1539, was a period of prosperity and power for the Mon.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=73}}

In the mid-14th century, King [[Binnya U]] ruled over the Mon kingdom and successfully defended against an invasion by Lan Na. Despite losing control over the [[Tanintharyi Region|Tenasserim region]], he was able to re-establish his capital at Pegu.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=71}} After his death in 1384, King [[Razadarit]], Binnya U's son, took over and formed an alliance with the kingdom of [[Arakan]].{{sfn|South|2002|pages=71}} King Razadarit was known for his administration skills and successfully repelling invasions from the [[Ava Kingdom]] during his reign. He made significant contributions to the [[Shwedagon Pagoda]]{{sfn|South|2002|pages=72}} and is considered one of the most celebrated Mon kings in history,{{sfn|South|2002|pages=72}} with his reign lasting from 1384 to 1421.

After King Razadarit's death, there were brief disputes over the succession in Pegu. Eventually, King Razadarit was succeeded by his daughter, Queen [[Shin Sawbu]], in 1453. Queen Shin Sawbu, was a skilled politician and maintained harmony between rival kingdoms. She is remembered for her good nature, renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda, and construction of important monasteries, such as the [[Kyaikmaraw]] near [[Moulmein]].{{sfn|South|2002|pages=72}}

King [[Dhammazedi]], who succeeded Queen Shin Sawbu in 1470, was a just and wise ruler. He is remembered for his generosity, having donated a significant amount of gold to the Shwedagon Pagoda, as well as for building important temples in the vicinity of Pegu, including the Shwegugyi Pagoda.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=72}}

=== 16th to 17th centuries ===
In the early sixteenth century, the Bamar regained their momentum at [[Taungoo]], leading to the fall of Hanthawaddy to King [[Tabinshwehti]] in 1539. This was after a devastating attack on Lower Burma, in which the northern army overran the Irrawaddy Delta and captured Pegu. The siege of Pegu lasted four years and involved [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] mercenaries fighting on both sides. The History of Kings attributes Tabinshwehti's success, in part, to the decadence of the Mon king, Dhammazedi's heir.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=73}}

As a result of the fall of Pegu, large numbers of Mon refugees fled to [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayutthaya]], where the Mon aristocracy joined the court and exercised considerable influence. Meanwhile, back in Burma, the fall of Martaban in 1541 was accompanied by massacre and pillage on a large scale, as was the capture of the old Pyu capital of Prome the following year. This marked the first time, since before the Mongol invasions, that most of Lower and Central Burma was under the control of a Bamar monarch. King Tabinshwehti, founder of the new Toungoo dynasty, celebrated by decorating the Shwedagon and other pagodas with huge amounts of plundered gold.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=73}}

Although Tabinshwehti's made efforts to win over the Mon people, the Bamar monarch consistently emphasized his claim to Bamar nationality and sovereignty. Nevertheless, Tabinshwehti was relatively more tolerant than later Toungoo kings who outlawed the Mon language and persecuted the Mon people.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=74}}

Following Tabinshwehti's coronation in 1546, Ayutthaya launched several raids on Lower Burma, including the successful capture of [[Tavoy]] in 1548. With the Toungoo dynasty in disarray after Tabinshwehti's death in 1550, the Mon launched another bid for independence under the leadership of the legendary Mon rebel, the [[Smim Htaw]]. The Smim Htaw managed to capture the ancient settlement of Dagon and drive the Burmese from Pegu, but a series of intra-Mon disputes allowed Tabinshwehti's general, [[Bayinnaung]], to recapture the city.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=74}}

Despite Bayinnaung allowing the Mon people to rule over townships and villages and accept them into the military, he did not grant them the right of national [[self-determination]], and therefore the Mon became subservient to the Bamar. Significant Mon uprisings took place during Bayinnaung's reign, including in 1551 and 1564 when the royal palace at Pegu was destroyed.{{sfn|South|2002|pages=75}}

Following the death of King Bayinnaung, his successor King [[Nanda Bayin|Nanda]] instituted oppressive policies against the Mon people, leading to the Mon chiefs Phaya Kiat and Phaya Ram attempting to assassinate [[Naresuan]] of [[Phitsanulok]] in 1584. However, they learned that Naresuan was not responsible for the policies and instead joined his campaigns against the Toungoo court.{{sfn|Rajanubhab|2001|pages=85–87}}

In the 17th century, the Bamar king [[Anaukpetlun]] launched a counter-attack against the Mon rebels and captured their stronghold at Syriam. Eventually, the Mon lands were retaken, and the capital was moved to Pegu. An unsuccessful Mon uprising occurred in Martaban in 1661, which led to the pursuit of fleeing Mon refugees into Ayutthaya via the [[Three Pagodas Pass]].{{sfn|South|2002|pages=77}}

=== 18th to 19th centuries ===
In the early eighteenth century, the power of the Bamar declined rapidly. The Mon rebels joined forces with the Gwe [[Shan people|Shan]] to restore their former Hanthawaddy Kingdom, and in 1740, a monk with Taungoo royal lineage was made king of Pegu. [[Binnya Dala]] succeeded him in 1747, and with [[French people|French]] support, the Mon established an independent kingdom called the [[Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom]]. However, the kingdom fell to Bamar King [[Alaungpaya]] in 1757, who invaded and devastated the kingdom, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Mon civilians, including learned Mon [[Bhikkhu|monks]], pregnant women, and children. The victorious Bamar soldiers massacred over 3,000 Mon monks in the capital city alone.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kiernan|first=Ben|title=Blood and Soil: Modern Genocide 1500-2000|publisher=Melbourne University|year=2008|isbn=9780522854770|pages=148–154}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Harvey|first=G E|title=History of Burma|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=2000|isbn=9788120613652|pages=235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Donald Eugene|title=Religion and Politics in Burma|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2015|isbn=9781400878796|pages=35}}</ref>{{sfn|Harvey|1925|page=369}} During the [[Konbaung dynasty]] of Burma, the Mon people experienced harsh rule and massacres that led to a significant migration to Siam and Lanna. In addition to facing widespread violence and persecution, the Mon rebelled multiple times, including at [[Dagon]] during the reign of [[Hsinbyushin]], resulting in the destruction of the city. In 1814, the Mon rebelled again, but were harshly put down yet again. These uprisings played a major role in the large wave of Mon migration from Burma to Siam.{{sfn|Harvey|1925|page=272}}
[[File:King Rama I of Siam (Yodfa Chulalok) Portrait.jpg|left|thumb|237x237px|[[Rama I]] – founder of the reigning [[Chakri dynasty]] of [[Rattanakosin Kingdom|Siam]] (now [[Thailand]])]]
On the one hand in Siam side, after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, two descendants of Mon aristocrats who moved to Siam in 1584; [[Phraya Phichai|Phraya Pichai]] and [[Chao Phraya Chakri|Phraya Chakri]] became the left and right-hand man of King [[Taksin]] of Thonburi, and they largely helped Taksin's campaigns in the liberation of Siam from [[Myanmar|Burmese]] occupation and reuniting Siam.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Siamese Melting Pot|last=Roy|first=Edward|publisher=Flipside Digital Content Company Inc|year=2018|isbn=978-9814762854}}</ref> King Taksin himself also was a [[Thai Chinese|Sino]]-Mon descent and his maternal grandmother was a sister to chief of Siam's Mon community.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JSS_098_0i_VanRoy_ProminentMonLineages.pdf|title=Prominent Mon Lineages from Late Ayutthaya to Early Bangkok|journal=Journal of the Siam Society|date=2010|page=206}}</ref>

After the collapse of Taksin's [[Thonburi Kingdom]], Phraya Chakri founded the [[Chakri dynasty]] and ascended the throne in 1782 as Rama I. Rama I was born to Thongdi, a leading Mon nobleman serving the royal court in Ayutthaya in 1737.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A history of Thailand|last=Christopher|first=Baker|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2014|isbn=9781316007334|location=Melbourne, Australia|pages=26 and 309}}</ref> Rama I's queen consort [[Amarindra]] was born to a wealthy Mon family who migrated to Siam in the earlier times. Rama I founded [[Bangkok|Bangkok City]] and moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. When a huge wave of Mon migrations from Burma (now Myanmar) to Siam (now Thailand) happened in 1814, his grandson, the Prince [[Mongkut]] (later Rama IV) proceeded to welcome the Mon himself at the [[Three Pagodas Pass|Siam-Burma border]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Halliday |first=R. |date=1913 |title=Immigration of the Mons into Siam |url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/JSS_010_3b_Halliday_ImmigrationOfMonsIntoSiam.pdf |journal=Journal of the Siam Society |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=1–15 |access-date=2024-12-14}}</ref>

The Mon in Thailand settled mainly in certain areas of [[Central Thailand]], such as [[Pak Kret]] in [[Nonthaburi Province|Nonthaburi]], [[Phra Pradaeng]] in [[Samut Prakan Province|Samut Prakan]] and [[Ban Pong]], among other minor Mon settlements. Mon communities built their own [[Buddhist temple]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Desakura|date=2020-05-27|title=Wat Suthatham Temple in Samut Songkhram, Thailand|url=https://stationremodel.com/2020/05/27/wat-suthatham-temple-in-samut-songkhram-thailand/|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Stationremodel|language=en}}</ref> Over time, the Mons were effectively integrated into Siamese society and culture, although maintaining some of their traditions and identity.<ref>[http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/928173/ Wat's the centre of Mon tradition - Bangkok Post]</ref>

=== 19th to 20th centuries ===
[[File:Mon woman, 1904.gif|thumb|An ethnic Mon woman in Thailand, in 1904.|231x231px]]
Burma was conquered by the [[British Empire|British]] in a series of wars. After the [[Second Anglo-Burmese War]] in 1852, the Mon territories in Burma were completely under the control of the British. The British aided the Mons to free themselves from the rule of the Bamar monarchy. Under Bamar rule, the Mon people had been massacred after they lost their kingdom and many sought asylum in the Thai Kingdom. The British conquest of Burma allowed the Mon people to survive in Southern Burma.

In 1947, [[Mon National Day]] was established to commemorate the founding of [[Hanthawady]], the last Mon Kingdom which was centered in Pegu. The holiday is observed on the full moon of the 11th month of the Mon lunar calendar, except in [[Phrapadaeng]], Thailand where it coincides with the [[Songkran (Thailand)|Songkran]] festival.

The Mon soon became anti-colonialists. Following the grant of independence to Burma in 1948, they sought self-determination. [[U Nu]], the first [[Prime Minister of Burma]] refused the Mon self-determination. Mon separatist groups have risen in revolt against the central Burmese government on a number of occasions, initially under the Mon People's Front and from 1962 through the [[New Mon State Party]] (NMSP). The [[Burma Socialist Programme Party|BSSP]]-led government established a partially autonomous [[Mon State]]  in 1974 out of portions of [[Tenasserim Division|Tenasserim]] and [[Pegu]] regions. Resistance continued until 1995 when NMSP and ruling [[SLORC]] agreed a cease-fire and, in 1996, the Mon Unity League was founded.

=== 21st century ===
Nowadays, the Mon are a major [[List of ethnic groups in Myanmar|ethnic group in Myanmar]] and a minor [[Ethnic groups in Thailand|ethnic group in Thailand]].<ref name="efe"/> The Mons from Myanmar are called Burmese Mon or Myanmar Mon. The Mons from Thailand are referred as Thai Raman or Thai Mon.{{sfn|Foster|1973|page=211}}<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last=Ngamying|first=Dusittorn|date=2014|title=Mon Dance: Creating Standards to Continue the Performing Arts of Thai-Raman|journal=Asian Culture and History|publisher=Canadian Center of Science and Education|volume=7|doi=10.5539/ach.v7n1p29|doi-access=free}}</ref> A recent study shows that there is a close genetic relationship between [[Thai people|central Thai]] and Mon people in Thailand, who migrated from southern Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2020|title=Close genetic relationship between central Thai and Mon people in Thailand revealed by autosomal microsatellites|journal=Int J Legal Med|doi=10.1007/s00414-020-02290-4|last1=Srithawong|first1=Suparat|last2=Muisuk|first2=Kanha|last3=Srikummool|first3=Metawee|last4=Kampuansai|first4=Jatupol|last5=Pittayaporn|first5=Pittayawat|last6=Ruangchai|first6=Sukhum|last7=Liu|first7=Dang|last8=Kutanan|first8=Wibhu|volume=135|issue=2|pages=445–448|pmid=32281021|s2cid=215741324}}</ref>

Due to the post-independence [[internal conflict in Myanmar]], many ethnic Mon from conflict zones have migrated to the [[First World countries]] via the refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar borders and in Malaysia. The Myanmar Mon refugee communities can be found in the [[United States]] (the largest community being in [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]] and the second largest being [[Akron, Ohio]]), [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Norway]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[Sweden]], and the [[Netherlands]].

==Language==
{{Main|Mon language|Thai language}}
[[File:Myakan-inscription.jpg|alt=|thumb|210x210px|Mon script on the Myakan inscription (ca. 1084–1112 CE)]]
The [[Mon language]] is part of the [[Monic languages|Monic]] group of the [[Austroasiatic languages]] (also known as Mon–Khmer language family), closely related to the [[Nyah Kur language]] and more distantly related to [[Khmer language|Khmer]] and [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]. The writing system is based on [[Brahmic family of scripts|Indic scripts]]. The Mon language is one of the earliest documented vernacular languages of Mainland Southeast Asia.

Many languages in the region have been influenced by the Mon language. [[Tai Tham script|Tai Tham alphabet]] and [[Burmese alphabet]] are adaptations of the [[Old Mon script|Mon script]]. Tai Tham alphabet is primarily used for [[Northern Thai language]], [[Tai Lue language]], [[Khün language]] and [[Laos|Lao]] Tham language. The Burmese alphabet is used for [[Burmese language]], [[Shan language]], [[S'gaw Karen alphabet|S'gaw Karen language]] and other languages.

Historically, the Tai adopted the Mon alphabet, which the Tai developed into their own writing systems as the [[Tai Tham script|Tai Tham alphabet]], for the [[Thai Yuan]] people in the northern Thailand.

Although Thai adopted more features from the [[Khmer alphabet|Old Khmer alphabet]] than from the Mon, plenty of vocabulary in [[Thai language]] today were derived from the Mon language.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A history of Thailand|last=Baker|first=Christopher|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2014|isbn=9781316007334|location=Melbourne, Australia|pages=3–4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Loanwords in the World's Languages: A Comparative Handbook|last=Haspelmath|first=Martin|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|year=2009|isbn=978-3110218435|pages=602}}</ref> Burmese has derived and borrowed vocabulary from the Mon language, especially related to administration, architecture, cloth, cuisine and flowers.

Nowadays, the Mon language is recognised as an indigenous language in both [[Languages of Myanmar|Myanmar]] and [[Languages of Thailand|Thailand]]. Due to the fall in number of Mon language speakers in the recent decades, Mon was classified as a "vulnerable" language in [[UNESCO]]'s 2010 ''[[Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger]].''<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in danger|url=http://www.unesco.org/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap/language-id-2222.html|access-date=2020-06-03|website=UNESCO}}</ref>

The language has an estimated 800,000 Thousand - 1,000,000 Million speakers<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-19 |title=Redirected |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/archive-redirect |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Ethnologue |language=en}}</ref>
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==Religion==
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==Culture==

=== Symbol ===
[[File:Shwedagon Crown.JPG|thumb|220px|Ceremonial helmet of Queen regnant [[Shin Sawbu]], now at the [[Victoria and Albert Museum|V&A Museum]], London]]The symbol of the Mon people is the [[hamsa (bird)|hongsa]] ({{langx|mnw|ဟံသာ}}, {{IPA|mnw|hɔŋsa|}}), a mythological water bird that is often illustrated as a swan. It is commonly known by its Burmese name, ''hintha'' ({{langx|my|ဟင်္သာ}}, {{IPA|my|hɪ́ɰ̃θà|IPA}}) or its [[Thai language|Thai]] name: ''hong'' (หงส์). The hongsa is the state symbol of Myanmar's [[Bago Region]] and [[Mon State]], two historical Mon strongholds. Also, the hongsa is the city symbol of Thailand's [[Pak Kret|Pak Kret City]], a historical Mon settlement area.
<gallery>
File:Flag of Mon State (2018).svg|[[Hamsa (bird)|Hongsa]] (the symbol of Mon people)
File:วัดหมื่นพุทธเมตตาคุณาราม Wat Muen Buddha Mettakhunaram Chiang Rai (October 2021) - img 04.jpg|Hongsa in Thai-Mon style
File:Mon Traditional Flower-garlands.jpg|Mon Traditional Flower-garlands
</gallery>
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===Marriage===
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=== Music===
[[File:Kong mon គងមន or Khong mon ฆ้องมอญ.jpg|thumb|260px|''[[Khong mon]]'' in Thai-Mon style]]
[[File:Chakhe.jpg|thumb|260px|The musical instrument known as 'Kyam' in Thai-Mon style is also called 'Chakhe']]
Mon culture and traditional heritages includes spiritual dances, musical instruments such as the [[kyam]] or "crocodile xylophone", the [[la gyan hsaing]] gong chime, the [[saung]] harp and a flat stringed instrument. Mon dances are usually played in a formal theater or sometimes in an informal district of any village. The dances are followed by background music using a circular set of tuned drums and claps, crocodile xylophone, gongs, flute, flat guitar, harp, violin, etc.<ref name="td">{{cite web|url=https://www.unesco-ichcap.org/kor/ek/inc/pdf/mon.pdf|title=Making Inventory of Craftsmanship and Performing Arts of Mon Traditional Musical Instruments|access-date=16 February 2021}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:Burmese Ramayana dance.jpg|A theatrical performance of the Mon dance
File:Lorchestre thaïlandais piphat mon (musée de la musique) (3771128467).jpg|Mon musical instruments
File:Kyam at Mon Buddhist Temple Fort Wayne.jpg|A ''[[kyam]]''
</gallery>

===Art===
====Pottery====
The Mon people in Thailand have been producing pottery for over 200 years. Their ancestors settled in [[Ko Kret|Koh Kret]] and [[Nakhon Sawan]], using their pottery making skills to earn a living in both places. The area is known for its high-quality clay and the Mon pottery, including containers and decorative items, is a symbol of their heritage and expertise. The pottery is made of porous earthenware in light orange to red color and features unique designs inspired by nature. Despite technological advancements, the Mon continue to preserve this traditional handicraft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Koh Kret Pottery|publisher=Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand|url=https://www.sacit.or.th/uploads/items/attachments/1a3d6a5affbc4a3a84214366730c4a80/_f7c5b81313883f49a64f0170a4d091fe.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The inspiration to inherit "Mon Pottery"|publisher=Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand|url=https://www.sacit.or.th/uploads/items/attachments/cceb1161867ab91def7fac026ead455c/_957c4efe123c30c4ee28fdd962456716.pdf|access-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/cultural_approach/article/view/239874|title=Creating Value Products from Local Wisdom, Ban Mon Pottery, Ban Kaeng Sub District, Nakhon Sawan Province under the Concept of Creative Economy|publisher=Journal of Cultural Approach|author=Jiratach Daosomboon|date=Sep 15, 2021}}</ref>

====Floral umbrellas====
Floral umbrellas have a long history in Mon culture, dating back to ancient times. In fact, inscriptions have been discovered in northern Thailand that mention the use of umbrellas and [[palm-leaf manuscripts]] in Mon religious ceremonies during the [[Hariphunchai Kingdom]], which lasted from the 7th to the 13th century.<ref>{{citation|title=A new look at the Old Mon inscriptions of northern Thailand|page=8|url=https://www.academia.edu/25226531|access-date=March 31, 2023|author=Hunter I. Watson}}</ref> Today, floral umbrellas are still used in various ceremonies and festivals throughout Mon communities, such as weddings, ordinations, and temple fairs, and remain an important part of Mon cultural heritage.

===Literature===
Mon literature is a rich collection of works created by the Mon people in Myanmar and Thailand, including chronicles, poems, songs, folktales, and religious texts. "[[Lik Amin Asah|Lik Smin Asah]]" is a legendary tale about the establishment of the city of Pegu, "Sangada" is a well-known Mon folktale that has been adapted into Thai and Laotian literature as "Sangsinchay", and "Rājādhirāj" or "Razadarit" is a chronicle of the Mon king translated into Burmese as "[[Razadarit Ayedawbon]]" and into Thai as "Rachathirat." Mon literature is considered important cultural heritage in Myanmar and Thailand. These works are highly valued for their cultural and historical significance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sure.su.ac.th/xmlui/handle/123456789/1838?attempt=2&|title=Lik Smin Asah : an analytical study|publisher=Silpakorn University Central Library|author=Thongpian Saramart}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Thai and Mon Literature:The Forgotten Role of the Mons of Siam Three examples of shared pieces of literature|author=Patrick McCormick|author2=Mathias Jenny|publisher=The Siam Society|date=November 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Jenny |first=Mathias |date=2011 |editor-last1=McCormick |editor-first1=Patrick |editor-last2=Jenny |editor-first2=Mathias |editor-last3=Baker |editor-first3=Chris |title=The Mon over two millennia. Monuments, Manuscripts, Movements. |publisher=Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University |pages=147–167 |chapter=The story of Prince Saṅgadā: a Mon legend in Southeast Asian context |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242204127 |doi=10.5167/uzh-49529 |isbn=9786165513289}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vithidkul |first1=Jiaranai |last2=Tudkeao |first2=Chanwit |date=2020 |title=Burmese, Mon, Thai, and Pali: The Diversity of Rachathirat Literatures in Thailand |url=https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jletters/article/view/234530 |journal=Journal of Letters |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=49–66 |access-date=2024-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Bunjoon |first=Ong |date=2016 |script-title=th:“บ้านทุ่งเข็น”: ชุมชนชาติพันธุ์มอญร่วมสมัยแห่งสุพรรณบุรี |trans-title="Ban Thung-Khen": The Contemporary Mon ethnic Community of Suphanburi |pages=88–90 |url=http://ethesisarchive.library.tu.ac.th/thesis/2016/TU_2016_5424300134_5308_5667.pdf |degree=PhD |language=th |publisher=Thammasat University}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
The Mon people have a mix of spiritual beliefs and [[Theravada Buddhism]] as their religion, with a majority of them practicing the mixture. Before Buddhism, three traditional beliefs were followed in the Mon Kingdom, including belief in Kalok (spirits), Isi (holy hermits), and [[Hinduism]]. The Mon people traditionally believed in various types of Kaloks (spirits), including family/clan kalok, guardian kalok of the house, town, village, farms, forest, and mountain. Kalok is considered to be a spirit, demon, or immaterial being that can take on a visible form.<ref>{{cite journal|title=An Analytical Trend in the Development of Buddhism in Mon Region of Myanmar in the next decade|publisher=Journal Of International Buddhist Studies College|date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>

=== Festivals ===
[[File:Mon National Day 72 Bago.jpg|thumb|220px|Mon National Day celebration in [[Bago, Myanmar]] (2019)]]
[[File:Mon_Youth_Day_by_Hein_Htet_Aung_(8).jpg|thumb|220px|Mon Youth Day celebration]]
Festivals celebrating Mon culture are an important part of the Mon community in Myanmar and Thailand. One such festival is the Loi Hamod Festival, which has its roots in the Hariphunchai era and is believed to be the precursor to the Loi Krathong Festival. While the festival is still observed in some Mon communities in [[Lamphun Province]], it is now referred to as "Jong Gring", which is derived from other Mon cultural practices and means "Loi Krathong". However, the Jong Gring tradition of Mon people in Lamphun is different from the general Loi Krathong festival, as it resembles the ancient "Loi Hamod" tradition of Mon people in Hariphunchai, which involves offering food, both fresh and dried, and lighting some lanterns and small krathongs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://konlanna.com/contents/read/1728|title=ประเพณี "ลอยหะโม้ด" สายสัมพันธ์หงสาวดี-หริภุญไชย|language=th|website=konlanna.com}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://lp.mcu.ac.th/userfiles/file/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%98%E0%B9%8C/%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97/%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2/2562/MCU62020258.pdf|title=A Study of Buddhadhamma in Yi Peng Tradition of Lanna|date=2018|author=Phrakhru Sathitthammaphinan|access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref>{{rp|7,8}}<ref name="lpw"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.matichonweekly.com/column/article_14572|title=ปริศนาโบราณคดี : ประเพณี "ลอยหะมด" ของมอญหริภุญไชย คือต้นกำเนิด "ลอยกระทง" ในสยาม?|date=13 November 2016|access-date=27 February 2021|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.m-culture.go.th/lamphun/ewt_news.php?nid=540&fbclid=IwAR3MD1Wvj3ZxrIWMaLKtjK5FF_GSi8ZN5ZbXJ6ERh8bub8fgi-5aHxYe53Y|title=ประเพณีลอยโขมดตำบลต้นธง ประจำปี 2559|date=10 November 2016|access-date=27 February 2021|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thainews.prd.go.th/th/news/detail/TCATG201108073719199|title=เทศบาลตำบลต้นธง จังหวัดลำพูน สืบทอดงานประเพณีลอยโขมดตำบลต้นธง ซึ่งครั้งนี้ได้จัดขึ้นเป็นครั้งที่ 6 อย่างยิ่งใหญ่ เพื่อเป็นการ อนุรักษ์ และสืบสานประเพณีวัฒนธรรมอันดีงามของท้องถิ่นให้คงอยู่สืบไป|access-date=28 February 2021|date=8 November 2020|language=th}}</ref>

Another traditional Mon festival is the Luknoo Festival, which marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the new year. It involves the launch of homemade rockets, food offerings to spirits, and cultural activities such as music, dance, and games. The festival is an important part of Mon culture and helps to connect with the community, preserve traditions, and bring good luck for the coming year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/vdo/thailand/233393/rocket-of-mon|title=Rocket of Mon|date=23 April 2011|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.m-culture.go.th/phatumthani/ewt_news.php?nid=403&filename=index|title=ประเพณีการจุดลูกหนู|date=1 July 2019|access-date=20 February 2021|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WujUlS_XdQw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/WujUlS_XdQw| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=ประเพณีการจุดลูกหนู (english subtitles)|date=11 August 2015|access-date=20 February 2021|language=th}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The Mon Floating Boat Festival is another traditional festival celebrated during the Mon New Year. It features boat races, music, dance, feasting, releasing lanterns, and gift exchanging. The festival brings the Mon community together to make offerings for peace and prosperity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/noname/30354455|title=Mon Floating Boat Festival 2018|date=14 September 2018|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tatnews.org/2018/06/mon-floating-boat-festival-2018/|title=Mon Floating Boat Festival 2018|date=27 June 2018|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dhammathai.org/culture/boat_kanchanaburi.php|title=ประเพณีลอยเรือจำลองสะเดาะเคราะห์ จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี|language=th|website=dhammathai.org}}</ref>

The Hae Hang Hong Tong Ta Khab Festival, also known as the Tawai Tong Ta Khab Festival, is an important tradition of the Mon people in Thailand, primarily in [[Pathum Thani]], [[Pak Kret]], and [[Phra Pradaeng]]. The festival is held during the Songkran festival and features a parade of flags that move towards the Hongsa Pole to offer tribute to the Buddha. Prior to the festival, the flags are prepared through the collective efforts of many individuals who come together to sew and decorate them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jcosci/article/view/138054|title=A Study the Traditional Identities of Hae Hang Hong Thong Ta Khab to be Development of Cultural Capital: The Creative Design Performance for Presentation of Tourism Image in Pathumthani Province|author=Pravit Rittibul|website=tci-thaijo.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.m-culture.go.th/chachoengsao/ewt_news.php?nid=314&filename=index|title=ประเพณีแห่ธงตะขาบ|date=11 April 2017|access-date=20 February 2021|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://culture.mcru.ac.th/8-en/86-en/6.pdf|title=Swan and Centipede Parade Festival|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thailandexhibition.com/Eat-Travel/1065|title=เที่ยวชมประเพณี แห่หงส์ ธงตะขาบ พระประแดง|date=18 April 2018|access-date=20 February 2021|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ilove8riew.com/en/event/%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%93%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9A/|title=Centipede Flag Parade|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

During the [[Songkran (Thailand)|Songkran]] festival in Thailand, the Mon residents of [[Phra Pradaeng District]] host unique Mon traditional ceremonies and folklore performances.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Songkran 2020 in Thailand - Dates|url=https://rove.me/to/thailand/songkran|access-date=2019-09-04|website=rove.me|language=en}}</ref> These festivals and traditions are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Mon people and serve as an important way to pass down their history and customs to future generations.

=== Traditional dress===
Mon women wear traditional shawl-like ''[[Sbai]]'', known as ''Yat Toot'' in Mon language, diagonally over the chest covering one shoulder with one end dropping behind the back. This tradition distinguished Mon women from other 134 ethnic groups in Myanmar. Archaeological evidence from the [[Dvaravati]] era portrays that Dvaravati ladies wearing what seems to be a piece of ''Sbai'' hanging from their shoulder.<ref>{{Cite web|title=มรดกช่างศิลป์ไทย : งานปูนปั้น|url=https://www.chatnirun.com/%e0%b8%a1%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%94%e0%b8%81%e0%b8%8a%e0%b9%88%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%87%e0%b8%a8%e0%b8%b4%e0%b8%a5%e0%b8%9b%e0%b9%8c%e0%b9%84%e0%b8%97%e0%b8%a2-%e0%b8%87%e0%b8%b2%e0%b8%99%e0%b8%9b%e0%b8%b9/}}</ref> Mon people of Myanmar and Thailand today are the descendants of ''Dvaravati.''

Mon men in Myanmar wear clothes similar to the Bamars. Those living in Thailand have adopted [[Thai people|Thai]] style garments. It seems that Mon clothing has been shaped through its dynastic traditions as well as external influences.

[[Thanaka]] is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark that is widely used in Myanmar, particularly by the Mon people. It is applied to the face, arms and legs as a form of sun protection and to beautify the skin. Thanaka has been a part of Mon culture for centuries and remains an important part of traditional beauty and skincare practices in the country.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Naturally beautiful: Cosmetic and beauty products from forests|publisher=Food & Agriculture Org|date=2020|isbn=978-9251323984|pages=44–50}}</ref>

=== Cuisines ===
[[File:Htamanè.JPG|thumb|''[[Htamanè]]'' glutinous rice]]
[[File:KhaoChae.JPG|thumb|Mon inspired ''Khao Chae'']]
Mon cuisines and culinary traditions have had significant influences on the [[Burmese cuisine]] and [[Thai cuisine#Regional cuisines and historical influences|Central Thai cuisine]] today. Some of dishes that are now popular in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand were originally Mon dishes. For example, [[Htamanè]] (ထမနဲ) in Myanmar, and [[Khanom chin]] and [[Khao chae]] in Thailand. A traditional Mon dish served with rice soaked with cool candle-and-jasmine-scented water is consumed by the Mon people during the Thingyan (Songkran) Festival in the summer. In Thailand, the dish is known as Khao chae (ข้าวแช่) and was considered "royal cuisine".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/eat/khao-chae-101-811318/|title=It's khao chae season: How to eat Thailand's classic summer treat|last=Chirapongse|first=Kitty|date=2012|work=CNN|access-date=September 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/a-guide-to-royal-thai-cuisine|title=A Guide to Royal Thai Cuisine|website=MICHELIN Guide|language=en|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref> As the dish is served during Thingyan as part of their [[merit-making]], it is known as [[Thingyan rice]] (သင်္ကြန်ထမင်း) in Myanmar today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/special-features/234-thingyan-2017/25640-how-to-spend-long-thingyan-holidays.html|title=How to spend long Thingyan holidays|date=2017-04-07|website=The Myanmar Times|language=en|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref> Like Cambodian, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, [[Pla ra|fermented fish seasoning]] are used in Mon cuisine.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sukphisit|first=Suthon|date=9 June 2019|title=An acquired taste|work=Bangkok Post|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1692012/an-acquired-taste|access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> 
<gallery>
File:Ngapyawbaung.jpg|Mon banana pudding
File:Khao khluk kapi, Pathum Thani, 2018-04-02 (3).jpg|Mon inspired [[Khao khluk kapi|Khao Khluk Kapi]] dish
File:Khanom Chin - Thai rice noodles.JPG|''Khanom Chin'' rice noodles
File:Nga paong thohk with a spoon.jpg|''Nga baung thohk'' (steamed fish dish wrapped in banana leaves)
</gallery>

=== Folk games ===
Many games in both Myanmar and Thailand were Mon origins. Among them, Len Saba ({{Lit|saba tossing game}}; {{langx|mnw|ဝိုင်မ်ဟနဂ်}}; {{langx|my|ဂုံညင်းဒိုး}}), Lor Kon Krok (Rolling a Mortar Bottom) and Mon Son Pa (Mon Hides a Cloth) are the most famous Mon traditional children games and are recognised as [[Intangible cultural heritage]] by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{Cite SSRN|date=2019|title=Local Folk Games and Health Promotion: Case Study, Saba Tossing Game of Thai Raman People in Ongkarak District, Nakornnayok Province|ssrn=3335646 |last1=Puncreobutr |first1=Vichian |last2=Wattanasan |first2=Piyada |last3=Thianthong |first3=Wilawan }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Intangible Cultural Heritage|url=http://www.unescobkk.org/culture/ich/children-games/games/by-research-sites/bkk/|website=UNESCO Bangkok}}</ref>

== Notable people ==

*[[Shin Arahan]] – [[Primate (bishop)|primate]] who spread [[Theravada Buddhism]] in [[Bagan Kingdom]] and [[mainland Southeast Asia]] 
*[[Wareru]] – founder of the [[Hanthawaddy Kingdom]] and ''[[Wareru Dhammathat]]'', the oldest extant [[legal treatises]] of Myanmar
*[[Shin Sawbu]] – the only female ruler in the recorded history of Burma (now Myanmar)
*[[Binnya Dala (minister-general)|Binnya Dala]] – Chief Minister-General responsible for the expansion of [[Toungoo Empire]], the [[First Toungoo Empire|largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia]]
*[[Osoet Pegua]] – an influential businesswoman in the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]] in the mid-17th century
*[[Taksin]] – founder of the [[Thonburi Kingdom|Thonburi dynasty]] of Siam 
*[[Rama I]] – founder of the reigning [[Chakri dynasty]] of [[Rattanakosin Kingdom|Siam]] (now [[Thailand]])
*[[Amarindra]] – Queen consort of King Rama I and mother of King [[Rama II]]
*[[Chulalongkorn]] (Rama V) – the fifth monarch of Chakri dynasty who modernised Thailand
*[[Debsirindra]] – Queen consort of [[Mongkut|Rama IV]] and mother of Chulalongkorn (Rama V)
*[[Shaw Loo]] – the father of western medicine in Myanmar and the first Myanmar in [[United States|the U.S]]
*[[Joseph Augustus Maung Gyi|Sir J A Maung Gyi]] – [[List of colonial governors of Burma|Governor of British Burma]]
*[[Min Thu Wun]] – a pioneer of literary movement in the 1930s and father of President [[Htin Kyaw]] (2016– 2018)
*[[Apasra Hongsakula]] of [[Thailand]] – [[Miss Universe 1965]]
*[[Htoo Ein Thin]] – Myanmar pop singer
*[[Thongchai McIntyre]] – Thai  singer and actor. Thailand's most famous superstar.
*[[Palmy]] – Thai pop singer
*[[Nandar Hlaing]] – Myanmar film actress
*[[Chintara Sukapatana]] - Thai film actress
*[[Natapohn Tameeruks]] - Thai film actress and model
*[[Srirasmi Suwadee]] – the third [[princess consort]] of then-[[Crown Prince of Thailand|Crown Prince]] [[Maha Vajiralongkorn]] (now Rama X) of Thailand
*[[Anand Panyarachun]] – Prime Minister of Thailand<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kaowao.org/PROUD%20TO%20BE%20MON%20SAYS%20FORMER%20THAI%20PM.php#1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023195520/http://www.kaowao.org/PROUD%20TO%20BE%20MON%20SAYS%20FORMER%20THAI%20PM.php#1|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2005-10-23|title=:: Kao Wao News Group|date=2005-10-23|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref> 
*[[Myint Swe (general)|Myint Swe]] – Vice-President of Myanmar
*Lily Pantila Win – Thai film actress and model

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Lamine Pagoda and hermit.jpg|Mon people parade at Lamine Pagoda
File:Mon Dhamma School 3.jpg|Mon Dharma School
File:Photo of Zingyaik pagoda, Paung township, Mon State.jpg|[[Zinkyaik Pagoda]], An ancient Mon-style [[Stupa]] on the top of Zinkyaik Mountain, [[Mon State]], [[Myanmar]]
File:Chompoo-Veth-(2).jpg|Mon [[Rattanakosin]]-style [[Stupa]] located at [[Wat Chomphuwek]], [[Mueang Nonthaburi District|Nonthaburi, Thailand]]
File:Wiang Tha Kan Compound 9.jpg|The remains of an ancient walled town of the [[Hariphunchai|Hariphunchai Kingdom]], Wiang Tha Kan, founded approximately 1,000 years ago located in [[San Pa Tong District|San Pa Tong District, Chiang Mai, Thailand.]]
File:Lampangluang1.JPG|Mon [[Hariphunchai]]-style architecture located in [[Lampang|Lampang, Thailand]]
File:Wat JamaDevi.jpg|Mon [[Hariphunchai]]-style architecture located in [[Lamphun|Lamphun, Thailand]]
File:Golden Rock (28249624117).jpg|[[Kyaiktiyo Pagoda|The Golden Rock Stupa]] located in [[Mon State]], [[Myanmar]]
File:Wat Chiang Yeun chedi 2.jpg|[[Hamsa (bird)|Hongsa]] pole with Centipede flag
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Hariphunchai]]
* [[Nyah Kur people]] 
* [[List of Burmese monarchs|List of Mon monarchs]]
* [[Prehistory of Myanmar]]
*[[Wat Chana Songkhram]]
*[[Wat Paramaiyikawat]]
*[[Si Kak Phraya Si]]
*[[Khlong Mon]]
*[[Mon State Cultural Museum]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

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*{{Cite book|first=Donald|last=Swearer|chapter=Buddhism in Southeast Asia|title=The Religious Traditions of Asia: Religion, History, and Culture|editor=Joseph Kitagawa|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5LSvkQvvmAMC&pg=PA130|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9780700717620|date=September 20, 2002|pages=119–142}}
*{{Cite book|first=Christian|last=Bauer|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hoDGBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA14|title=Ethnic Groups Across National Boundaries in Mainland Southeast Asia|date=1990|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=9813035579|editor=Gehan Wijeyewardene|access-date=April 4, 2021|pages=14–47|chapter=Language and Ethnicity: The Mon in Burma and Thailand|doi=10.1355/9789814379366-005}}
*{{Cite book|first=Ashley|last=South|title=Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma: The Golden Sheldrake|date=October 3, 2002|doi=10.4324/9780203037478|publisher=Routledge; 1st edition|isbn=9780700716098}}
*{{Cite book|first=Patcharin|last=Piumsomboon|chapter=Mon people in Nakhon Ratchasima|title=Good things Korat: Korat's Diaries|volume=3|date=1982|publisher=Office of the National Culture Commission|chapter-url=http://www.koratmuseum.com/download/mon-in-korat.pdf|access-date=February 25, 2021|pages=98–105|language=th}}
*{{Cite journal|first1=Dusittorn|last1=Ngamying|first2=Ying|last2=Keeratiburana|first3=Pairat|last3=Thidpad|date=2014|title=Mon Dance: Creating Standards to Continue the Performing Arts of Thai-Raman|journal=Asian Culture and History|publisher=Canadian Center of Science and Education|volume=7|issue=1|pages=29–34|doi=10.5539/ach.v7n1p29|doi-access=free}}
*{{Cite journal|first=Michael|last=Smithies|title=Village mons or Bangkok|journal=Journal of the Siam Society|volume=60|issue=1|url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/1972/03/JSS_060_1j_Smithies_VillageMonsOfBangkok.pdf|date=1972|pages=307–333}}
*{{Cite journal|first1=Patrick|last1=McCormick|first2=Mathias|last2=Jenny|title=Contact and convergence: The Mon language in Burma and Thailand|volume=42|issue=2|date=2013|pages=77–117|journal=Cahiers de Linguistique Asie Orientale|doi=10.1163/19606028-00422P01}}
*{{Cite journal|first=James A.|last=Matisoff| title=Sino-Tibetan Linguistics: Present State and Future Prospects|journal=Annual Review of Anthropology|volume=20|pages=469–504|year=1991|doi=10.1146/annurev.an.20.100191.002345}}
*{{Cite journal|first=Mathias|last=Jenny|date=2013|title=The Mon language: Recipient and donor between Burmese and Thai|journal=Journal of Language and Culture|url=https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JLC/article/view/20286/17624|volume=31|issue=2|pages=5–33}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Foster|first=Brian|year=1973|title=Ethnic Identity of the Mons in Thailand|url=http://www.siamese-heritage.org/jsspdf/1971/JSS_061_1i_Foster_EthnicIdentityOfMonsInThailand.pdf|journal=Journal of the Siam Society|volume=61|pages=203–226}}
*{{Cite journal|ref=CITEREFNuchprayoon2007 |last1=Nuchprayoon |first1=Issarang |last2=Louicharoen |first2=Chalisa |author3=Warisa Charoenvej |year=2007 |title=Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase mutations in Mon and Burmese of southern Myanmar |journal=Journal of Human Genetics |volume=53 |issue=1 |pages=48–54 |doi=10.1007/s10038-007-0217-3 |pmid=18046504|s2cid=22331704 |doi-access=free }}
*{{Cite journal|last1=Stewart |first1=J. A. |year=1937 |title=The Song of the Three Mons |journal=Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies|volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=33–39  |jstor=608173 |doi=10.1017/s0041977x00070725|s2cid=161601386 }}
*{{Cite journal|first=Chatuporn|last=Petchaboon|title=Food in merit-making ceremonies of Thai-Mon descendants and Mon workers: A case study on food of Sao Kradong Mon community, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Province|journal=Journal of Liberal Arts|url=https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journal-la/article/view/164044/120663|pages=35–57|volume=10|issue=2|publisher=Prince of Songkla University|date=December 30, 2018|access-date=February 25, 2021|language=th}}
*{{Cite journal|first1=Watusiri|last1=Jaiklang|first2=Watsaporn|last2=Arayaphan|first3=Nantawan|last3=Muangyai|url=https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JHUMANS/article/view/213162/148155|title=Needs and Use of Learning Center and Learning Network of Mon Communities in Lamphun Province|journal=Journal of Human Sciences|volume=20|issue=2|pages=101–132|date=August 30, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2021|language=th}}
*{{Cite journal|first=Ong|last=Bunjoon|url=http://www.damrong-journal.su.ac.th/upload/pdf/102_5.pdf|title=Ban Thung-Khen: The Contemporary Mon Ethnic Community of Suphanburi|journal=Damrong Journal of the Faculty of Archaeology|pages=115–140|volume=16|issue=2|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=March 1, 2021|language=th}}
*{{Cite book|title=Our Wars With the Burmese|last=Rajanubhab|first=Damrong|publisher=White Lotus Co. Ltd|year=2001|isbn=9747534584|location=Bangkok}}
*{{cite book | last=Harvey| first=G. E.| title = History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824 | publisher=Frank Cass & Co. Ltd | year = 1925 | location = London}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |title=Ancient Chiang Mai |chapter=Historic Lamphun: Capital of the Mon Kingdom of Hariphunchai|volume=4|first=Andrew |last=Forbes |author2=Henley, David|year=2012|publisher=Cognoscenti Books|asin=B006J541LE }}
* {{Cite book |title=Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma: The Golden Sheldrake|last=South|first=Ashley|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781136129629}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mon people}}
* [http://www.monnews.org/ Independent Mon News Agency]
* [http://www.virtualmuseum.finearts.go.th/hariphunchai/index.php/en/ Hariphunchai National Museum]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060208093247/http://www.kaowao.org/ Kao Wao News Group]}}
* [http://www.albany.edu/~gb661/ The Mon Information Home Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408203116/http://www.eumon.org/inscriptions.php Dating and Range of Mon Inscriptions]

{{Ethnic groups in Burma}}
{{Ethnic groups in Thailand}}
{{Ethnic groups in Laos}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mon People}}
[[Category:Mon people| ]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Laos]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Thailand]]
[[Category:Members of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]]
[[Category:Dvaravati]]
[[Category:History of Central Region (Thailand)]]