
This tribe is known by the Thais as "Phi Tong Luang", which means "spirits of the yellow leaves". There are only a few Mlabri still living in Thailand, just about 100 people. They can be found in the provinces of Nan and Phrae.
The Mlabri originate from Laos. These people are fragmented into extremely small, highly nomadic, family bands.
They used to rely almost exclusively on hunting and gathering. By custom they are not allowed to own rice fields but they can work as labourers in the fields the same as the Thais.
Mlabri practise patrilineal descent. The basic unit of their social organization is the band, consisting of three to a dozen members.
They usually move their campsites every week depending on the availability of their natural food supply.