Political Decentralisation and the Resurgence of Regional Identities in Thailand

Abstract

This article looks at the cultural resurgence that is taking place in Thailand's regions and amongst its ethnic minorities after a century ofassimilationist policies carried out by the central Thai government in the interests of national integration. The article argues that the cultural resurgence is aresult of three decades of economic development alU! a parallel process of democratisation of the political system. This has not only given different cultural groups new political rights to express their culture openly, but has also resulted in the government no longer regarding such expressions of cultural identity as posing a threat to Thai national unity.

Thailand's Khmer as ‘invisible minority’: Language, ethnicity and cultural politics in north-eastern Thailand

“…'Siam' here was not specifically an ethnic or national term, but was more a political designation associated with the Siamese monarchy and its control over tributaries. Since it was not based on any essentialized ethnic identity, 'Siam' could include people who were ethnically not Thai, and in fact even Siamese courts are reported to have been ethnically quite diverse (Jory, 1999). However, Siam is a term derived from the Khmer languageit appears on inscriptions in Angkor-and it is not entirely clear that the Khmer use of [siam] does not denote a more ethno-linguistically based category that contrasts with Khmer.…”

Programming beauty and the absence of Na Lao: popular Thai TV and identity formation among youth in Northeast Thailand

“…Other scholars, concerned with the empowering effects of popular culture, see the emergence of mawlum formats within popular music as an appropriation of indigenous culture for the regeneration of Lao Isan identity (Jory, 1999). Mawlum and derivative styles, such as mawlum cing (rock), are now widely broadcast on Thai radio and popular TV music programs.…”

Thai television and 'pleeng luuk tung'

“…The reconstruction of Isan identity within Thailand over the past 15 years has been noted by several authors including Jory (1999), Miller (2005 and HesseSwain (2006). This reconstruction has accompanied an overall Thai tongtin (local) culture movement, a movement that has been strongest in Isan with centres for Isan studies being established at the University of Mahasarakam and Loei Rajabat University.…”