The origin research on Tai and Dai nationalities is hot spot of academic circles.

The Dai-Tai ethnic groups formed through continuous multiethnic and cultural blending over a long period of migration, the Baiyue, Indian and Southeast Asian cultures have been interacting and integrating to form the Dai-Tai multiple ethnic culture.

There are record of Erhai Lake,Lancang River and a tribe named the "Heman People" found in the ancient scriptures of Thailand,which,although being primarily historical legends,reflect that Thai ancestors may have had relation with Erhai Lake,or even resided there before Nanzhao Kingdom was founded.