Sikh Merchants in the Isan Region of Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this article is to study the settlement and lives of Sikh merchants in Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand. The Sikhs of Isan initially migrated from Punjab to Bangkok for trade, before moving on to several places in the Isan region, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani. The majority opened fabric and tailor shops. Later, during the Vietnam War, a second wave of Sikhs migrated from Bangkok to other parts of Isan, notably Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom, where they focused on foreign customers like American soldiers. Today, Thai Sikh families can be found throughout the Isan region with their businesses, although they are small in number. They maintain contact with each other via relatives and common socio-cultural and religious traditions. Their shops and businesses are mainly small-scale retail establishments adapted to and concentrating on local market trends and demand. Most of the newer generation, however, are looking to other kinds of careers more in line with their education, rather than continuing businesses started by their families.