DOCSLIB.ORG

Reconstruction of Social Ideology Through the Power of Music: Case Study of Suntaraporn Band, Thailand

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Reconstruction of Social Ideology Through the Power of Music: Case Study of Suntaraporn Band, Thailand Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 39 (2018) 343e350 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/kjss Reconstruction of social ideology through the power of music: Case study of Suntaraporn band, Thailand * Kammales Photikanit , Patcharin Sirasoonthorn Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand article info ABSTRACT Article history: During 1939e1942 (2482e2485 BE), Thailand was governed by a junta led by Field Mar- Received 11 March 2016 shal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. Numerous traditional cultures were redefined based on the Received in revised form 8 December 2016 “Thai-ness” policy. Suntaraporn was the most outstanding band sponsored by the Thai Accepted 14 December 2016 government. On one hand, the band was used as a State apparatus for instilling the Available online 24 May 2018 “Thai-ness” ideology. On the other hand, it created development discourses of civilization, modernity, and cultural discrimination. This article: 1) investigated the discourse of Keywords: Suntaraporn's music and the establishment of social stratification in Thai society, and 2) social ideology, illustrated the cultural power of music as a social-ideological mechanism to increase State Suntaraporn's music, power over the Thai people. “Thai-ness” policy Documentary research was applied to identify the historical development, forms, and values appreciated in Suntaraporn's music. Social exclusion leading to a new form of social stratification was investigated. The author adopted semiotic analysis by focusing on the aesthetic level. To identify perception, cognition, interpretation, and reception history, the socio-cultural roles of Suntaraporn's music were highlighted as: 1) the establishment of modern Thai music as a symbol of new class differentiation, and 2) the role of music as a social mechanism to increase State power over the life of commoners. © 2018 Kasetsart University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/). Introduction The definition of “Thai-ness” originated within the context of a centralized political structure. The policy “The Thai-ness Policy” has long been used as major later became the fundamental cultural ideology to maintain development propaganda by Thai junta governments. a centralized socio-political regime and to strengthen “The cultural mandates” issued by Field Marshal Plaek the hierarchical social structure in the following times Phibunsongkhram's government during 1939e1942, for (Sattayanurak, n.d.). instance, were well known for the typical Thai-ness Policy. Under this policy, twelve State edicts were issued. By The so called Ratthaniyom (State preference) to “uplift the emphasizing “Thai” identity mightiness from the national national spirit and moral code of the nation and to instill to the individual level, numerous changes have been made. progressive tendencies and modern life style” was imple- These included changing the name of the country from mented in various forms (Ministry of Propaganda, 1942; Siam to Thailand in the first mandate in 1939; promoting Sivaraksa, 2002). the royal anthem, and declaring a new Thai national anthem. The daily playing of the Thai national anthem at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm was also started during this period. In * Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Photikanit). 1935, the royal anthem was played before theatrical shows. Peer review under responsibility of Kasetsart University. All audiences were required to stand up. Apart from this, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjss.2018.05.003 2452-3151/© 2018 Kasetsart University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). 344 K. Photikanit, P. Sirasoonthorn / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 39 (2018) 343e350 the junta government legislated several regulations to deculturalization. This included all forms of resocialization control public behavior. A numbers of songs such as the in formal education. To adjust preferable social behavior national anthem and the royal anthem were played at the deemed to be proper for “modernity”, Western standards State's economics department and in the public arena. and livelihood were adopted. Thai cultures were reformed Various social ceremonies, and all kinds of entertainment and reconstructed. These signified growth and beauty, venues in Royal Decree on National Culture B.E. 2485 (The orderliness, progress and uniformity, and the top-down Royal Gazette, 1942) were targeted (Chingnawan, 2006; morality model of the nation (Baker & Phongpaichit, Prachathai, 2008). Furthermore, the military junta gov- 2005). Unfortunately, this policy discriminated against folk ernment promoted Thai as a national language, forcing cultures and local traditions to exclude local culture such as non-Thai ethnic students to learn and to use it in everyday chewing betel, traditional style eating, a casual lifestyle, life. The government prescribed Western-style dress as a consuming both culture and native leisure activities preferable costume. Simultaneously, promotion of the uses (Feangfu, 2011). of Thai products were announced in the fifth mandates Simultaneously, Suntaraporn's songs were used as a tool (Reynolds, 2002, p. 31). to reconstructed new values and lifestyle for all com- During 1938e1944, songs and music aesthetic modifi- moners. The State launched propaganda based on an cations were a crucial part of cultural adjustment policy. imaginary civilized, luxurious, urban lifestyle. Five major “The cultural mandates” by Suntaraporn's songs were one characteristics of the band were designed as the ideological of the most outstanding tools that served as the State's State apparatus. ideological apparatus to construct mainstream values. On Firstly, the socio-demographic background of the band the one hand, modern Western music and amusement members recruited was based on their bureaucratic back- activities such as Pleng Thai Sakol or Pleng Lukkrung, and ground, urban experience, and work related to the urban ballroom dancing were promoted. As a result, the Bangkok- elites. For example, during 1936e1938, the band was a part ness became the core value. This gradually alienated rural of Krom Kodsanakarn (Public Relations Department) values and the native culture of local people. (Pataradetpisan, 2013). The bandleaders and songwriters had government official backgrounds. Eua Sunthornsanan “Thai native culture should not appear at public gather- and Keaw Adchariyakul, for instance were former govern- ings, in public places, or in city limits without being ment officers of the Public Relations Department. Sa-nga appropriately dressed. Inappropriate dress includes Arampi was an urban elite and a senior military officer. wearing only underpants, wearing no shirt, or wearing a Moreover, most of the band members had worked for the wraparound cloth.” Thai Royal Family and members of the ruling elite. During “Appropriate dress for Thai people consists of: 1) Uniforms, 1946e1975, Eua Sunthornsanan and Keaw Adchariyakul as position and opportunity permits; 2) Polite interna- were the bandleaders who closely worked with the tional-style attire; and 3) Polite traditional attire.” Thai Royal Family and urban elites. For example, in 1946, Eua Sunthornsanan first played the Royal song composi- (The Royal Gazette, 1940c) Figure 1 Government poster Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram-era (1938e1945) promoting the civilized form of dress Source: http://thaiprogressive.blogspot.com/2008/07/preserve-or-nurture.html. During the 1930s and 1940s, the State reconstructed a tion Yam Yen (Evening) to bless Bhumibol Adulyadej. He new meaning of “Thai-ness” by dictating citizens' behav- composed and played Royal song compositions and iors and tastes. This policy was based on nationalism, worship songs for the Royal institution via the Suntaraporn modernization, and Western perspectives. The Bangkok- band (Siriprasart, 2010). During 1942e1945, Sa-nga nian values were adopted by the process of worked for Marshal Pibulsongkram, Luang Wijit K. Photikanit, P. Sirasoonthorn / Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences 39 (2018) 343e350 345 Watakarn, Khoon Wijitmatra, and Prajane Duriyang (Chan- Antonio Gramsci who emphasized the importance of ideo- ngeun as cited in Eamsa-ard, 2006). Later, he worked for logical factors in the superstructure (Buddharaksa, 2014,p. the Asawin Phapphayon Company of General Major Prince 43). He emphasized the daily reproduction of productive Bhanubandhu Yugala (Phanuphan Yukhon), and the Lawo relations in the consciousness of each subject by focusing on Phapphayon Company of His Royal Highness Prince Anu- the State apparatus instrument of repression to enable the sorn Mongkolkarn (Ayutthaya, 2003). The singers included bourgeoisie to ensure domination over laboring classes those with well-educated backgrounds, of middle class and (Geras,1977). Two major State-exercised power mechanisms urban origin such as Sawalee Pakaphan, Pensri Pumchusri, could be achieved. Firstly, the Repressive State Apparatus and Charin Nanthanakorn. Suthep Wongkamhaeng, who (RSA) referred to people's physical control. It functioned by was known as “The King of Pleng Lukkrung” was the most violence through several State administrative mechanisms famous male singer of this band
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Dear Thai Sisters: Propaganda, Fashion, and the Corporeal Title Nation Under Phibunsongkhram
    Dear Thai Sisters: Propaganda, Fashion, and the Corporeal Title Nation under Phibunsongkhram Author(s) Thepboriruk, Kanjana Hubik Citation Southeast Asian Studies (2019), 8(2): 233-258 Issue Date 2019-08 URL http://hdl.handle.net/2433/244012 Right © Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University Type Departmental Bulletin Paper Textversion publisher Kyoto University Southeast Asian Studies, Vol. 49, No. 2, September 2011 Dear Thai Sisters: Propaganda, Fashion, and the Corporeal Nation under Phibunsongkhram Kanjana Hubik Thepboriruk* Embodying modernity and nationality was a self-improvement task for fin de siècle Siamese monarchs. In post-1932 Siam, kingly bodies no longer wielded the semantic and social potency necessary to inhabit the whole of a nation. Siam required a corporeal reassignment to signify a new era. This study examines previously neglected propaganda materials the Phibunsongkhram regime produced in 1941 to recruit women for nation building, specifically, the texts supplementing Cultural Mandate 10 addressed to the “Thai Sisters.” I argue that with the Thai Sisters texts, the regime relocated modernization and nation building from male royal bodies onto the bodies of women. Moreover, these texts specified gendered roles in nation building and inserted nationalism into the private lives of women by framing nation- building tasks as analogous to self-improvement and the biological and emotional experiences of a mother. Vestimentary nation building prescribed by Mandate 10 turned popular magazines into patriotic battlegrounds where all Thai Sisters were gatekeepers and enforcement came in the form of photo spreads, advertisements, and beauty pageants. By weaving nation building into fashion and the private lives of women, the Phibunsongkhram regime made the (self-)policing of women’s bodies— formerly restricted to elite women—not only essential but also fashionable and patriotic for all Thai Sisters.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Reformation in Thailand
    No. 08/ 2017 Thammasat Institute of Area Studies WORKING PAPER SERIES 2017 Economic Development Pattern under Military Regime: A Comparative Study between Park Chung Hee and Sarit Thanarat Administration Merica Chanakitchinchon December, 2017 THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY PAPER NO. 08 / 2017 Thammasat Institute of Area Studies, Thammasat University Working Paper Series 2017 Economic Development Pattern under Military Regime: A Comparative Study between Park Chung Hee and Sarit Thanarat Administration Merica Chanakitchinchon Thammasat Institute of Area Studies, Thammasat University 99 Moo 18 Khlongnueng Sub District, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand ©2017 by Merica Chanakitchinchon. All rights reserved. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit including © notice, is given to the source. This publication of Working Paper Series is part of Master of Arts in Asia-Pacific Studies Program, Thammasat Institute of Area Studies (TIARA), Thammasat University. The view expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Institute. For more information, please contact Academic Support Unit, Thammasat Institute of Area Studies (TIARA), Patumthani, Thailand Telephone: +02 696 6605 Fax: + 66 2 564-2849 Email: [email protected] Language Editors: Mr Mohammad Zaidul Anwar Bin Haji Mohamad Kasim Ms. Thanyawee Chuanchuen TIARA Working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. Comments on this paper should be sent to the author of the paper, Ms. Merica Chanakitchinchon, Email: [email protected] Or Academic Support Unit (ASU), Thammasat Institute of Area Studies, Thammasat University Abstract Thailand and South Korea in the period of 1960s had some similar characteristics.
    [Show full text]
  • The King's Nation: a Study of the Emergence and Development of Nation and Nationalism in Thailand
    THE KING’S NATION: A STUDY OF THE EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF NATION AND NATIONALISM IN THAILAND Andreas Sturm Presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of London (London School of Economics and Political Science) 2006 UMI Number: U215429 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U215429 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 I Declaration I hereby declare that the thesis, submitted in partial fulfillment o f the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and entitled ‘The King’s Nation: A Study of the Emergence and Development of Nation and Nationalism in Thailand’, represents my own work and has not been previously submitted to this or any other institution for any degree, diploma or other qualification. Andreas Sturm 2 VV Abstract This thesis presents an overview over the history of the concepts ofnation and nationalism in Thailand. Based on the ethno-symbolist approach to the study of nationalism, this thesis proposes to see the Thai nation as a result of a long process, reflecting the three-phases-model (ethnie , pre-modem and modem nation) for the potential development of a nation as outlined by Anthony Smith.
    [Show full text]
  • Queen Sirikit on Her Majesty's State Visits in 1960 and 1962
    The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 Queen Sirikit on Her Majesty’s State Visits in 1960 and 1962 Pornsan Watanangura1 Abstract The appointment of the two queens to be Queen Regents in Thai history, indicates the confi dence of the incumbent Kings in the ability of their royal consorts. It also highlights a new era for Thai women and their role in society. The accompaniment of Her Majesty, with King Rama IX of Thailand, as the youngest monarchs in the world, on offi cial State Visits in 1960 and 1962, proved to be a new and highly signifi cant infl uence, both on a small country in Southeast Asia, post the crisis of World War II and also on how the country was to be perceived internationally thereafter. The state visits of the twentieth century have some similarities with the state visits made to Europe, for the fi rst time, by King Chulalongkorn in 1897. The royal tours of both Kings took place during a background of political turmoil internationally; in both cases the monarchs, King Chulalongkorn and King Bhumibol, gained tremendous acknowledgement and respect internationally. The visits strengthened the already existing ties between the Siamese Court and some of the leading countries of the Western democratic world. This research paper, beginning from the onset of the fi rst visit to Europe of King Chulalongkorn in 1897, but concentrates on the state visits of Queen Sirikit in 1960 and 1962. It will illustrate the signifi cant impact on diplomatic, political and cultural aspects internationally, at such a critical time.
    [Show full text]
  • The Change from Traditional Nobleman to Modern Bureaucrat in Thailand: a Case Study of the Saeng-Xuto Family
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by DSpace at Waseda University *UDGXDWH6FKRRORI$VLD3DFL¿F6WXGLHV:DVHGD8QLYHUVLW\ -RXUQDORIWKH*UDGXDWH6FKRRORI$VLD3DFL¿F6WXGLHV No.36 (2018.9) pp.1-13 The Change from Traditional Nobleman to Modern Bureaucrat in Thailand: A Case Study of the Saeng-Xuto Family Yaninie Phaithayawat* タイにおける伝統的貴族官僚から現代官僚への変容 ― セーン・シュートー・ファミリーの事例 ― パイタヤーワット ヤーニニー * Abstract The pre-modern state of Siam consisted of traditional bureaucracy and a decentralized political system without territorial boundaries. King Chulalongkorn began to reform the old bureaucracy by managing revenues in 1873 and founding the State and Privy Councils in 1874. The King reformed the central administration into twelve ministries of the modern bureaucracy in 1892. Previous academic works about the creation of modern state focused on the causes of reformation, processes of reforms and problems after the reforms. Those works analyzed the policies, the structure of state modernization, and the difficulties of reformation. This article aims to examine the reformation’s effects on Siamese noblemen during the creation of modern state. The modern bureaucracy reorganized the royal court, including the government’s budget and tax collection. The nobles in the traditional bureaucracy had major duties in the manpower control and tax collection and earned the economic benefits from their duties, as opposed to officials in the modern bureaucracy who were professional and only paid salaries. This article examines how noble families in the Bangkok period adapted to be bureaucrats. The case study focuses on the Saeng-Xuto family, which ascended during the reign of King Rama I.
    [Show full text]
  • Dynamics and Institutionalization of Coup in Thai Constitution"
    Acknowledgements This paper is the product of my research as a research fellow (VRF) at the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) from November 2012 to March 2013. I would like to express my appreciation to IDE-JETRO for giving me the opportunity that enabled me to write this paper. I wish to thank Shinya Imaizumi for his support and suggestions during my stay at IDE- JETRO. I would like to thank Shinichi Shigetomi for his critical comments and suggestions during our discussions over lunch. I would like to thank Mr. Takao Tsuneishi and Ms. Chisato Ishii of the International Exchange Department for their invaluable help and advice from my first day in Chiba until my last; without their assistance, my sojourn would have been more challenging. I deeply appreciate the friendship and support I received from several friends at IDE-JETRO. Tsuruyo Funatsu, Nobu Aizawa, Maki Aoki, Tatsufumi Yamagata and Koo Boo Tek offered me their friendship, advice, and intellectual counsel along with many delightful lunches and dinners. -i- Table of Contents Acknowledgements i 1. Introduction 1 2. Constitutional Principles and Problems 2 3. Early Democracy and Disorderliness of the Coups 8 4. The Construction of the Coup Institution 18 5. Institutionalization of the Coup in the Thai Constitution 26 6. Conclusion: From Alienation to Constitutional Institution 32 Bibliography 35 The Author 36 -ii- List of Tables and Images Tables Table 1: Constitutions and Charters in Thailand 1932-2012 4 Table 2: Coups and the Amnesty Laws 15 Table 3: Authoritarian Power in Constitutions and Charters following Successful Coups 24 Table 4: Constitutional Revocation and Proclamation and the Period of Vacuum 27 Images Image 1: Declaration of Royal Appointment without Countersignature 13 -iii- 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Modern History of Thailand
    01999032: History Part II Modern History of Thailand Modernization to Globalization 1 Modern History of Thailand Modernization to Globalization 2 Chulalongkorn: the modernizer • 1853-1910 • Modernization/ Westernization • 1897 First visit to Europe • 1907 Second visit to Europe • Strategy to avoid colonization 3 Refashioning Siam • Uniform • Western Schooling • Abolishing slavery • Collecting new objects • Western army King Chulalongkorn (1 Oct. 1868 – 23 Oct.1910) Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua, or Rama V, was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang. Wikipedia 4 Chakri Throne Hall 5 Internal-colonization • Anglo-Siam treaty over Chiang Mai in 1874 • Railway expansion • Phumibun revolt (Millenarian movement) • Survey of provinces 6 Paknam Incident • French gunboats threatened Bangkok, 1893 • Territorial “lost” 7 Road-Rail-Steamboat • Chareonkrung road • Hualamphong station • East Asiatic Port 8 Dusit Palace • New palace complex for absolutist monarch • Equestrian monument 9 Official Nationalism • Vajiravudh and the creation of Nation • Burmese: external enemy/ Chinese: internal enemy • Jews of the East • Nationality Act and Surname Act King Vajiravudh (23 Oct. 1910 – 25 Nov. 1925) Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua or Rama VI (1 January 1880 – 25 November 1925), was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death. King Vajiravudh is known for his efforts to create and promote Siamese nationalism. His reign was characterized by Siam's movement further towards democracy and minimal participation in World War I.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Development Pattern Under Military Regime: a Comparative Study Between Park Chung Hee and Sarit Thanarat Administration
    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PATTERN UNDER MILITARY REGIME: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PARK CHUNG HEE AND SARIT THANARAT ADMINISTRATION BY MISS MERICA CHANAKITCHINCHON A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (ASIA PACIFIC STUDIES) COLLEGE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY 1 Ref. code: 25605966040023MPJ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PATTERN UNDER MILITARY REGIME: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PARK CHUNG HEE AND SARIT THANARAT ADMINISTRATION BY MISS MERICA CHANAKITCHINCHON A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (ASIA PACIFIC STUDIES) COLLEGE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 COPYRIGHT OF THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY 1 Ref. code: 25605966040023MPJ (1) Thesis Title ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PATTERN UNDER MILITARY REGIME: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN PARK CHUNG HEE AND SARIT THANARAT Author Miss Merica Chanakitchinchon Degree Master of Arts (Asia Pacific Studies) Major Field/Faculty/University Asia Pacific Studies College of Interdisciplinary Studies Thammasat University Thesis Advisor Assistant Professor Wasan Luangprapat, Ph.D. Academic Year 2017 ABSTRACT Thailand and South Korea in the period of 1960s had some similar characteristics. Thailand was governed by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat who was a military leader. South Korea also was under President Park Chung Hee. South Korea and Thailand established the economy plan that attempted to develop their economy at about the same time which were the First National Economic Development Plan in 1961 in Thailand, and the First Five-Year Plan in 1962 in South Korea. These two plans brought many significant economic changing to Thailand and South Korea. This research is going to compare the economic development pattern under the military regime between Park Chung Hee and Sarit Thanarat administration during 1960s.
    [Show full text]
  • Women's Textiles & Men's Crafts in Thai Culture
    Women's Textiles & Men's Crafts in Thai Culture A woman weaves at a loom under her house in Baan Chaan Laan, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Photo by H. Leedom Lefferts by H. Leedom Lefferts Thai embodies styles from many historical and contemporary sources and signifies the variety of nder many houses in Thailand today, es­ identities contemporary Thais adopt. Some outfits pecially in the Northeast (Isaan), even in are ethnic, such as the indigo-dyed, striped phaa U this era of ready-made clothing, stand sin of the Lao Song of the western Central Plains. looms. The values associated with the production Other styles indicate an individual's occupation. and disphly of beautiful textiles pervade Thai Many large corporations, such as banks, require culture. women and men to wear a uniform based on As in all cultures, dressing a certain way signi­ European design, which may vary according to fies putting on a particular identity. The clothing the day of the week. Thai civil servants, including worn by Thai men and women is related to gen­ college professors, also have such uniforms. Most der, age, and locale. In villages, women usually importantly, King Bhumibol, Queen Sirikit, and wear the phaa sin, a tubular, wrap-around skirt; other members of the royal family wear an array their upper garment is a loose T -shirt or blouse. of uniforms and formal and informal dress based But younger women today often wear the interna­ on European fashion. tional style of jeans and shirts. When doing man­ The Thai "traditional" style of clothing has uallabor, women may don phaa sin or pants and always been varied and subject to change.
    [Show full text]
  • Income Inequality Political Instability and the Thai Democratic Struggle
    The Paris School of Economics Masters in Analysis and Policy in Economics (APE) Income Inequality, Political Instability, and the Thai Democratic Struggle Master Thesis of: Thanasak Jenmana Thesis Supervisors: Referee: Facundo Alvaredo Thomas Piketty September 6, 2018 For every woman and man who has fought against or suered from reducible injustice in Thailand, and all over the world. Abstract This thesis re-examines the dynamics of income inequality in Thailand between 2001 and 2016. The main motivation lies in the lack of information on the richest citizens in household surveys, which can lead to a signicant underestimation of the inequality level and to a false representation of the historical trend. We combined household surveys, scal data, and national accounts to create a more consistent inequality series. Our results indicate that income inequality is much higher than what past surveys have suggested, specically when looking at the reduction in inequality, which turns to be much more conservative. The top 10% income share went from 52.62% of national income in 2001 to 51.49% in 2016, and the bottom 50% share increased from 11.30% to 13.90%. Within the same time frame, the Gini coecient decreased by only 0.04, reaching 0.60 in 2016. These observed dynamics can be put into perspective using recent political conicts in Thailand, where a strong anti-democratic sentiment has been arsing within the middle and upper social classes. The growth incidence curve shows that, the bottom half have been growing faster than the average since 2001, while the middle class has been growing at a rate below the national average.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CONSTITUTION of the KINGDOM of THAILAND, 1997: a BLUEPRINT for PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY James R
    THE ASIA FOUNDATION WORKING PAPER SERIES THE CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND, 1997: A BLUEPRINT FOR PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY James R. Klein Representative of The Asia Foundation in Thailand Working Paper #8• March 1998 The Asia Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization working to build leadership, improve policies, and strengthen institutions to foster greater openness and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Building on its 43 years in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with Asian and other partners from the public and private sectors to advance effective governance and effective citizenship; open regional markets and create local opportunities; and promote peace and maintain stability within the region through leadership development, exchanges and dialogue, research, and policy management. Through its Working Paper Series, The Asia Foundation presents a range of views on the major political, economic, and security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific. The views expressed in this working paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Asia Foundation. Contents Introduction . .4 Background . .5 Thailand’s Guided Democracy: 1932-1997 . .5 The Legacy of Thailand’s Guided Democracy . .7 Political Reform and the Origins of the 1997 Constitution . .9 Constitutional Supremacy . .15 Judicial Review . .17 Constitutional Court . .19 Citizen Participation in Governance . .21 An Elected, Civil Society Senate . .21 Citizen Participation in Public Policy . .23 Citizen Participation in Local Resource Management . .24 Citizen Participation through Administrative Decentralization . .25 Citizen Participation through Public Policy Referendum . .26 Constitutional Mechanisms to Promote Accountability and Transparency . .28 National Counter Corruption Commission . .28 Declaration of Assets and Liabilities . .30 Impeachment .
    [Show full text]
  • Thai Music in Western Notation
    THAI CULTURE, NEW SERIES No. 16 THAI MUSIC IN WESTERN NOTATION BY PHRA CHEN DURIYANGA The Gong Wong Yai PUBLISHED BY THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT BANGKOK, THAILAND B.E. 2558 1 Preface Thailand is very rich in precious arts and cultural heritage which represents a long-lasting independence, prosperity and stability of the country. These various fields of heritage have been preserved, accumulated and inherited throughout generations until the present. This legacy brings pride, dignity and prestige to Thai people. Therefore, it should be shared with the world so that Thai wisdom can be appreciated. The Fine Arts Department is responsible for the preservation, promotion, transmission and dissemination of arts and culture of the Thai nation. As such it has compiled and published a book series of 25 volumes written by experts in their respective fields. Their areas of knowledge include artistic works, architecture, music and dramatic arts as well as language and literature. Each series has been reprinted from time to time. In this publication, there are no alterations to the contents* although some illustrations have been added for the benefit of the readers. The Tapone The Department hopes that this series of books will be a resource among the international community to help them understand Thailand better through its unique arts and culture. EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Mr. Borvornvate Rungrujee Director General of the Fine Arts Department Mr. Pirapon Pisnupong Deputy Director General of the Fine Arts Department Mrs. Sunisa Chitrbhandh Deputy Director General of the Fine Arts Department Mr. Sahabhum Bhumtitterat Deputy Director General of the Fine Arts Department (Mr.
    [Show full text]