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Chakrit Tiebtienrat Film Media and Nationalism in Thailand: Comparative studies of film media propaganda in Thailand and its influence on Thai nationalism, political ideology, and class structure since the enactment of the Thai Constitution of 1997 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Political Science in the University of Canterbury by Chakrit Tiebtienrat University of Canterbury 2004 Contents Abstract. ........................................................................................................................ .i Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... .ii A note on transliteration, abbreviation, and usage ................................................. ,iv Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Definition of concepts ............................................................................................. 5 1.2 Research and data collection .................................................................................... 9 1. 3 Method of analysis ................................................................................................. 10 1.4 The Case Studies .................................................................................................... 12 1.5 End Notes ............................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 2 Theoretical framework .............................................................................................. 16 2.1 Nationalism and Official Nationalism .................................................................... 18 2.2 Symbols and Tradition ........................................................................................... 31 2.3 Royal Nationalism and Populist Nationalism ................ , ....... '" ...... '" .. , ... .41 2.4 Media theory .......................................................................................................... 44 2.5 Formulation Media and Nationalism Framework. ................................................. 56 2.6 End Notes ............................................................................................................... 62 t a FE. B ?Ilfl~ Chapter 3 History of the Thai Nationalism and Media ............................................................ 65 3.1 The Structure of Thai Society ................................................................................ 66 3.2 Pre Official Nationalism ........................................................................................ 69 3.3 Official Nationalism ................................................................................................ 73 3.4 Thai Media and Nationalism in the post-cold war period ...................................... 91 3.5 End Notes ............................................................................................................... 96 Chapter 4 Bangrachan ................................................................................................................. 98 4.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 99 4.2 Analysis ................................................................................................................ 104 4.3 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 117 4:4 End Notes ............................................................................................................. 123 Chapter 5 Suriyothai. ....................................................................................... ~.......................... 125 5.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 126 5.2 Analysis ................................................................................................................ 131 5.3 Conclusion .................. : ......................................................................................... 165 5.4 End Notes ............................................................................................................. 175 F Chapter 6 Yuwachon and Moonhunter .................................................................................... 177 6.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 179 6.2 Analysis ................................................................................................................ 190 6.3 Conclusion ........................ :.......................... :......................................................... 222 6.4 End Notes ............................................................................................................. 227 Chapter 7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 229 7.1 Media and Nationalism Framework. ........................... ·················· ....................... 230 7.2 Class and Political beliefs ...................................... ·.········ .................................... 237 7.3 Competing Nationalism .............................. · .. ································ .239 7.4 Audiences, the Future of the Media and Nationalism ............................... ···········252 7.5 End Notes ............................................................................................................. 257 Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 258 Abstract During periods of official nationalism in Thailand, the Thai media played a significant role in promoting government policy. The Thai media during those periods was a government orientated enterprise. However, the Thai parliament approved a new constitution in 1997 which aims to minimise state control over the media. It is for this reason that this thesis chose to study current events and the current situation. Once the media was opened up, the patterns of ownership started to change. The media, post 1997, began to change from a government orientated enterprise towards a market-orientated private enterprise. This thesis investigates the interaction between media and nationalism in Thailand. It looks at the relationship between media owners and political leaders in general. This thesis also looks at the signs, symbols, costumes, and messages that generate nationalistic feelings among audiences. This research was carried out by analysing the film contents. This analysis of content is used to demonstrate the hypothesis, which states that the new patterns of ownership of the media have led to new techniques for shaping nationalism. In order to do so, this thesis employs a media and nationalism framework which is created by using numerous theories on media and nationalism. The results have indicated that, although the primary motive of film-making may now be turning a profit, films which aim to promote the nationalism or political agendas still exist. It appears in several case studies that the private media owners and the political leaders share common interests. The filmmakers do not hesitate to use the symbols, cultures, and traditions ,which are invented by the leaders. Symbols that represent power and legitimacy of the political leaders are promoted by an attempt of the filmmaker to persuade audiences that those practices and tradition, and by extension, the leaders are righteous. Individual films target different classes in Thai society, which vary by their beliefs, culture, and practices. The filmmakers are either making the film according to the culture of those classes to strengthen the nationalistic awareness from the audiences, or they are using their medium to persuade the audiences to accept their class values. Either way, it can be demonstrated that since the end of the period of official nationalism, nationalism is still promoted through film. This media support of political agendas can be seen as the new style to promote nationalism. Acknowledgements I am writing these acknowledgements to show my respect and gratitude to all the good people that have assisted me in completing my thesis. First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. James Ockey for his supervision and contribution to this thesis and my education. Being a student of Dr. Ockey has been a privilege. His generosity, open mindedness, and encouragement are most appreciated. His knowledge of Thai politics and his numerous suggestions were most significant in developing my knowledge and ideas regarding this thesis. I shall always be grateful for his exceptional editing. I am also grateful to Associate Professor Dr. John Henderson for agreeing to be my second supervisor. His encouragement, generosity, and suggestion proved invaluable to this thesis. I would like to thank him for his endless encouragement and his invaluable assistance to the structure of this thesis. Importantly, I would also like to thank both Dr. Ockey and Dr. Henderson for their faith in my abilities. I would like to express my gratitude to the Department of Political Science at the University of Canterbury and all of the staffwho have enlightened me. In particular, thanks to the Department Secretary, Jill Dolby
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