This investigation indicated a changed relationship due to development, border capitalism, and access to resources for socio-economic and cultural life of the Khmu at Hua Khong village in Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province. The investigation revealed that the growth of this border district was due to it being a sale center of forest products in the Mekong River. The economic growth turned the district into a tourist attraction and attracted various ethnic groups to settle there. The Khmu were the last to migrate, experiencing an inferior social status and being restricted to access to farmland, which was essential to the uplifting of their social status. With less negotiation power than other ethnic groups, there was less of a social platform for them to stand on. However, later economic and technological progress enabled a group of Khmu to become wealthy with access to farmland. Holding Thai citizenship, education and local politics brought about differences of social status among the ethnic group. The differences were related to religious conversion in order to become accepted, to gain access to resources and educational opportunities, and to raise their household status.