Origins & History
This category groups mainland Southeast Asian peoples including Thai, Vietnamese, Lao, Khmer, and Burmese populations. These groups share the region's geography and long histories of cultural exchange with India, China, and each other, though they are ethnolinguistically distinct. Kingdoms such as Angkor, Ayutthaya, and Dai Viet shaped the region for over a thousand years.
Geographic Distribution
Mainland Southeast Asia is home to approximately 240 million people. Vietnamese are the largest single group (around 90 million), followed by Thai (around 60 million), Burmese (around 40 million), Khmer (around 16 million), and Lao (around 7 million). Each speaks a different language family, though Buddhism is a shared thread for many.
Diaspora & Migration
Southeast Asian diasporas are extensive, particularly following 20th-century wars and political upheavals. Vietnamese communities are large in the United States, France, Australia, and Canada. Thai and Cambodian populations are also present in the United States and Western Europe. Recent decades have added significant labor migration to the Middle East and East Asia.
About This Map
This map shows crowd perceptions of where Southeast Asian populations live. Because this is a broad regional category, votes may reflect familiarity with any of its constituent groups.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Southeast Asian (Thai/Viet) populations live.