This research project was aimed at investigating the history, language, and culture of the Bru ethnic group at Tha Long Village, Tambon Huay Phai, Khong Jiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The investigation also focused on knowledge, use and change of the Bru language as well as conservation and revitalization of the language with the participation of the villagers. The participatory research methodology was used together with documentary research and field data collection by means of participatory and non-participatory observations. Moreover, in-depth interviews with 52 community leaders, knowledgeable persons and villagers were conducted. Focus groups were carried out to share knowledge and experiences.
          It was found from the investigation that the ethnic group settled in the village in 1909. Cultural changes included a conversion from animism and speaking their ethnic language to Buddhism and making merit like the mainstream Isan people.
          Bru is an Austroasiatic language in the Mon-Khmer family of the Katu branch. The language does not have written script and is spoken by the Bru ethnic group. After 1987 when the ethnic group at the village had become Buddhists and discarded animistic practices as well as when there were socio-cultural changes and the nation-state building of the Thai government, the use of the ethnic language was dramatically limited. The ethnic group instead used Isan Thai dialect and even Standard Thai, especially among young people. Nevertheless, when the villagers were aware of the change and significance of their culture and language, they were mobilized to help maintain and revitalize their language by organizing various forms of language learning activities within their community and in school. The activities include compiling lexical items and their meanings, songs, and folktales by the elderly. They were broadcast via the village broadcasting tower in an attempt to maintain and revitalize their ethnic language.