Theravada Buddhism has long been introduced to Palaung people but the upland conversion to Buddhism does not always indicate a significant shift in their ethnic identity. While many upland groups are being converted by the Central Thai practices, Palaung people preserve their Yuan Buddhism as a way to draw distinction between them and Khon Muang, whom they originally derived from. Yuan Buddhism, therefore, is an important part of their identity and has enabled them to express their religious ethnic identity through it. (331, 347-348)