The Phuan people, also known as Tai Phuan, Thai Puan or Lao Phuan, are a Theravada Buddhist Tai people spread out in small pockets over most of the northeastern Isan region with other groups scattered in central Thailand and Laos (Xieng Khouang Province).

There are also approximately five thousand Phuan in Mongkol Borei District of Banteay Meanchey Province in Cambodia, as well in Battambang Province.

According to the Ethnologue Report, the Phuan number 204,704 and that is split fairly evenly between populations in Laos and Thailand.