| Group: | Urak Lawoiʼ |
| Population: | 3,000 |
| Popplace: | Southern Thailand |
| Rels: | Traditional religion, Theravada Buddhism, Islam |
| Langs: | Urak Lawoi’, Malay, Thai |
Urak Lawoi (Malay: Orang Laut; Thai: อูรักลาโว้ย;) 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. They are known by various names, including Orak Lawoiʼ, Lawta, Chao Tha Le (Thai: ชาวทะเล), Chao Nam (Thai: ชาวน้ำ), and Lawoi.
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.