DYNAMIC CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIAMESE-MALAYSIANS’ ETHNIC IDENTITY, MALAYSIA Thatsanawadi Kaeosanit A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Communication Arts and Innovation) The Graduate School of Communication Arts and Management Innovation National Institute of Development Administration 2016 ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation Dynamic Construction of The Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity, Malaysia Author Miss Thatsanawadi Kaeosanit Degree Doctor of Philosophy (Communication Arts and Innovation) Year 2016 The main objectives of the study “Dynamic Construction of the Siamese- Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity in Malaysia” are to study the dynamic of the Siamese- Malaysians’ ethnic identity in communication dimension and to analyze the communication forms in the construction of the Siamese-Malaysians’ ethnic identity in the context of Nation-State in Malaysia. Moreover, it examines and compares the meaning and value perceptions of the Siamese-Malaysians’ ethnic identity in each generation using qualitative research methods including focus group interview, in- depth interviews, participant observation, and documentary research. In addition, it utilizes research in the Siamese-Malaysian community in the four states of Kedah (Saiburi), Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu, all of which used to be parts of Siam. The defining of the boundary between British and Siam occurred later. Therefore, this part of Siam became British, before the British officially grant independence back to the Federation of Malayu in 1957. At present, not only this land falls under the sovereignty of Malaysia, but also to the Siamese that still live in the four states of Malaysia. This study used a unique, negotiative perspective to study the existence of the Siamese-Malaysian community in Malaysia. It analyzes the relationship between the communication, identity, and ethnic borders of the Siamese-Malaysians in Malaysia via the power of communication. The identity is not static but dynamic and the flow is adjusted based on the context and conditions. Under the concept of Constructionism (iv) framework, the Siamese-Malaysians continue to communicate and build ethnic identity under conditions, and for various benefits between the cultures and other ethnic groups in the states of Malaysia. The study of the Siamese-Malaysians’ ethnic identity examines the identity product or indicator utilizing essentialism to find the static characteristics of the Siamese-Malaysians’ ethnic identity, which includes seven variables: greetings and communications, costume, housing, food, therapy, religion, and rituals. T hese identities are expressed in two dimensions: daily life and the special events. The second part of the study uses a Constructionism framework which focuses on the identity process or production about the Siamese-Malaysians’ ethnic identity in Malaysia. There is a creation process which includes the construction, maintenance, negotiation, and dissolution in the Malaysian context. It was found that the construction of the Siamese-Malaysians’ ethnic identity in Malaysia and these three aspects were highlighted by the Siamese-Malaysian community: language, religion, and culture. Using the building process keeps the charecteristics of content, and change the forms of expression under the socio-cultural, political and economic dimension. In the context of Malaysia. Siamese-Malaysians use communication to build ethnic identity in various forms and the passage of time assists in the development of democratic politics and society and culture can devide Siamese-Malaysians into four generations which perceive meaning and value of ethnic identity differently. This research also presents a model of “Dynamic Construction of the Siamese- Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity in Malaysia” so that the communication of the Siamese- Malaysians’ ethnic identity is not a matter of adhering to the cultural heritage from the past, but one which inherits and passes on from one generation to another. This social practice of the Siamese-Malaysians manages ethnic organizations and processes and assists in managing the identities of ethnic groups in their attempts to build, negotiate, and define cultural identity. In addition, it helps to determine the position of their identity of their own group in relation to others. The Siamese-Malaysians ethnic group now exists with dignity in Malaysia’s multicultural society and identity. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my thanks to my major advisor: Associate Professor Ubolwan Premsrirat, my co-advisor: Associate Professor Dr. Kanjana Kaewthep, my committee chairperson: Assistant Professor Dr. Asawin Nedpogaeo, and my committee: Assistant Professor Uayporn Panich for their wonderful support, guidance, throughout my studies. My PhD would not have been possible without the generosity of Suratthani Rajabhat University, Thailand which gave me a full scholarship for my study at National Institute of Development Administration. I also would like to thank the Office of the Higher Education Commission which also gave me a scholarship to the 2014 Thai-ASEAN Student Exchange Program Scholarships at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. Additionally, I would like to thank all the Siamese-Malaysians who took part in my research study, and to Mr. Chuan Maneerat, Mr. Arom Srisuwan, Mr. Arun Prommet, Mr. Boonsit Promchan, and their families for helping coordinate my research project. Special thanks also go to KruYing for her assistance with the proofreading of my academic document. Last but not least, I would like also to thank my family for their support without whom my success would not have been possible. Thatsanawadi Kaeosanit June 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v TABLE OF CONTENTS vi LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background and Significance of the Research 1 1.2 The Research Problem 41 1.3 Research Objectives 41 1.4 Scope of Research 41 1.5 Operational Definitions 42 1.6 Benefits Expected to be Received 44 1.7 Conceptual Framework 45 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 46 2.1 Concept of Communication Form 46 2.2 Theory of Symbolic Interaction 52 2.3 Concept of Identity 55 2.4 Concept of Ethnicity 60 2.5 Concept of Diaspora 71 2.6 Concept of Cultures 76 2.7 Related Research 92 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 100 3.1 Sources of Data for the Research 100 3.2 Samples 101 3.3 Research Instrument 107 (vii) 3.4 Collection of Data 110 3.5 Analysis and Presentation of the Study 110 CHAPTER 4 COMMUNITY CONTEXT, NATIONAL HISTORY 113 AND SELF-REFLECTION 4.1 Siamese-Malaysian Community Context 114 4.2 Nation and Nation Building in Malaysia History Textbooks 172 4.3 Self-Definition through the History: Siamese Descendants 174 or Siamese-Malaysians of Malaysia CHAPTER 5 DYNAMIC ETHNIC IDENTITY OF 181 THE SIAMESE-MALAYSIANS IN MALAYSIA VIA THE DIMENSION OF COMMUNICATION 5.1 Identity Product/Indicator 181 5.2 Identity Process/Production 225 5.3 Construction Process of Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic 229 Identity in Malaysia 5.4 Factors Affecting the Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic 247 Identity in Malaysia CHAPTER 6 FORM OF COMMUNICATION AND PERCEPTION 260 6.1 Communication Form to Construct 261 Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity in the Malaysia State Context 6.2 The Meaning and Value Perception of 285 Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity of each Generation/ Age Group CHAPTER 7 CONCLUSION, DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 300 7.1 Conclusion 301 7.2 Discussion of the Results 308 7.3 Recommendations 363 7.4 Implication for Further Research 363 BIBLIOGRAPHY 364 BIOGRAPHY 374 LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 2.1 Comparison of the Different Important Attributes of 49 Transmission Model and Ritualistic Model 5.1 The Construction Process of Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity 238 under the Terms of the Relationship with the Socio-Cultural, Politics and Economy Dimensions 5.2 The Dynamic of Identity in Malaysia’s Four States 243 5.3 The Dynamics of Identity that Occurs with each Siamese-Malaysians 245 Generation/ Age Group 5.4 The Factors Affecting the Siamese-Malaysians’ Ethnic Identity 248 in Malaysia 6.1 The Function of Media to Identity Process 280 6.2 The Perception of Meaning and Value of Siamese-Malaysians’ 293 Ethnic Identity in Four Groups (Generations) LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page 1.1 The Territory of the Malay Peninsula, Malaysia 3 1.2 Conceptual Framework 45 2.1 Transmission Model 47 2.2 Ritualistic Model 48 2.3 The Relationship Between Communication and Culture 76 2.4 The Function of Culture as a Mediator of Development 77 2.5 Substitution 88 2.6 Addition 88 2.7 Articulation / Hybridization 89 4.1 Malaysia Map 114 4.2 The Area of Study in 4 States of Malaysia 117 4.3 Study Area in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu 120 4.4 Tonku Abdul Rahman Putra, the First Prime Minister of Malaysia 123 4.5 Dato Rawi Greeted with Siamese-Malaysian in Songkran Festival 148 4.6 Nora Chum Played Nora Khaek in Tumpat, Kelantan 154 4.7 Maha Sangha Khatina Celebration 2015 168 Arranged in the Temple, Perlis 5.1 The Outfit of Siamese-Malaysian Elder Women 186 5.2 The Housekeepers Producing Traditional Food for the Ceremony 189 5.3 Vithatthammaphitak House of Priest, Terengganu 194 5.4 The Buddhist Architectures in the Temple, Kelantan 195 5.5 Songkran Celebration in Siamese-Malaysian Community, Kedah 200 5.6 Thai Language Teaching School at the Temple, Kelantan 208 5.7 Phra Rajdhammathada is the Last Abbot in Kedah 220 who Received the Priest Position as the Prelate under the Title of Phra Rajdhammathada from King Rama IX (x) 5.8 Mr. Siri Nengbua, the National Heritage Person 223 (Tokoh Warisan Kebangsaan Orang Hidup) 7.1 Model of Dynamic Construction of the Siamese-Malaysians’ 339 Ethnic Identity in Malaysia CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background and Significance of the Research A clear aftermath of the colonial era is diversity of ethnic groups in many countries in Southeast Asia. One of these countries is Malaysia, where relationship management of ethnic groups is considered an important basic concept.