The thesis investigated the socio-political conditions and livelihood of the Lisu ethnic group in northern Thailand, who fought with state agencies over land ownership rights and the right to live on their indigenous land, and examined the impacts of area restriction and land and resource allocation on their ethnic identity.
      
          It was found that the ethnic group formed into villages, communities and networks to demand from concerned state sectors land title deeds and to campaign against the mainstream perspective that Lisu and other hilltribes were forest encroachers. In fact, they have implemented their folk wisdom to conserve the forest. Additionally, the investigation explored the livelihood and unique ways of life as well as present conditions that had changed from the past.