e area. It was not until after World War II that the Thai Government began to develop programs for the tribal people because of the important role they play in the country. They are in a strategic location as the area is difficult to defend; they are vulnerable to Communism and other ideological influences; and economically they effect the forests and watershed areas because of the type of agriculture the tribes practice (Lewis, 1984, p.,13).
As of the early 1980s only thirty percent of the tribal people had citizenship papers furthering a situation whereby most hill groups feel they do not "belong." And, though programs have been set up to bridge the communication between the tribal groups and the government, most have not been successful (Lewis, 1984, p. 13). But no tribe exists in total isolation as there are degrees of interaction between the different groups and they are very loyal to their own members, especially when facing what they consider a hostile world.
The six groups have remained in the border areas and now share the region with each other as well, including their slash-and-burn agriculture. However, though they have experienced the same natural environment, each tribe has responded differently to it, developing cultures unlike one another and becoming distinct ethnic groups
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