Interdisciplinary Journal of Humanities Studies

Visual Language and Hate speech: An Analysis of Thai Media Discourse in the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation

Pornchai Kitbamrung — 2026-04-28

This article examines the construction of Hate speech in Thai media along the Thai–Cambodian border, focusing on language and imagery that generate othering and marginalization of ethnic groups. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Social Semiotics, the study analyzes how metaphors, sarcasm, ethnic markers, and visual symbols such as dark colors, violent images, and satirical memes reinforce negative stereotypes and emotional arousal.Impact assessment reveals that such media content influences attitudes and behaviors of border populations, reduces social cohesion, and exacerbates tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Comparative analysis with global contexts indicates that linguistic strategies and multimodal communication are similar internationally, but local history, culture, and border-specific contexts shape unique manifestations in Thai media. Policy recommendations include developing neutral communication frameworks, ethical management of images and symbols, media literacy education for border populations, collaborative cross-border communication protocols, and continuous monitoring and research. These strategies aim to mitigate the social impact of Hate speech, enhance interethnic understanding, and promote sustainable border relations.This study highlights the importance of analyzing language and imagery in Thai media as tools for understanding the mechanisms of Hate speech and developing effective interventions to reduce social tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border.

Changes in Lifestyles and Culture in Modern Rural Communities in Thailand: An Analysis of Their Impact on Traditional Lifestyles and Beliefs in Rural Communities.

Aree Kaewbure — 2026-04-28

This article analyzes the transformation of rural Thai communities in the modern era, focusing on the impacts of socioeconomic change on traditional beliefs, values, and social structures. Drawing on sociological and anthropological perspectives, it employs conceptual frameworks of social change, cultural identity, and globalization to examine shifts in daily life and community dynamics. The study outlines the traditional rural Thai way of life—centered around agriculture, spiritual beliefs, and extended family systems—before contrasting it with contemporary phenomena driven by capitalism, digital technology, and rural-to-urban migration. Changes are analyzed at both individual and communal levels, including shifts in occupation, consumption patterns, youth and elder roles, and the decline of traditional institutions such as religion, local rituals, and spirit worship. Using a case study from northeastern Thailand, the article illustrates how communities engage with change through adaptation, negotiation, and creative resistance. Findings suggest that rural communities are not passive victims of modernization but active agents capable of reinterpreting their identities in dynamic ways. The article calls for policy approaches that recognize cultural diversity and grassroots agency, recommending stronger roles for local governments and civil society in cultural revitalization. Future research should prioritize the voices of marginalized groups and explore emerging cultural forms shaped by digital platforms and translocal interactions.

Religion and folk beliefs in Indonesia: The blend of Islam and indigenous beliefs.

Thana Chansrisuriya — 2026-04-28

This article examines the syncretism between Islam and indigenous beliefs in Indonesia, focusing on the forms and dynamics of this religious blending within diverse social and cultural contexts. Utilizing the conceptual framework of syncretism and theories of religion as a cultural institution, the study centers on case communities in Central Java, Bali, and Sulawesi. It reveals that the adoption of Islam was not a mere replacement of indigenous beliefs but a complex process of integration and reinterpretation that aligns with local contexts.The article highlights rituals such as Slametan and Labuhan, and the veneration of sacred natural sites like mountains and ancestral spirits as enduring examples of syncretic beliefs. It further discusses the role of the state and religious organizations like the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) in defining orthodox religious boundaries, and the tensions between local practices and orthodox Islamic ideologies. In the era of globalization and digital media, cultural and religious transformations face intense pressures, particularly among youth who strive to preserve and adapt local traditions to contemporary realities. The article advocates for policies that support religious diversity and cultural education, encouraging a sustainable future for syncretic cultural identities in Indonesia.

A BOOK REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES MOVES ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Juan Miguel Palero — 2026-04-28

In discussing the United States as a dominant geopolitical power in the 21^st century, one must first make it clear that to understand its present role in the Asia-Pacific region, it is befitting to trace back how it originally began. Published in 1946, Kenneth Scott Latourette’s The United States Moves Across the Pacific gives the readers an informed and legible account of his perspective on the existing status of the United States as a power in the immediate postwar period. As shown in this book review, Latourette’s insightful examination of the evolution of the United States originally from a novice, upon attaining independence, that utilized its desire to look for commercial partners as a first step towards exploring their role in the Asian setting, to reaching maturity as a player who successfully integrated power and policy as a method of flexing its rising influence in the global power which resulted in unwanted obligations that could jeopardize its standing relationship to these Asian nations. In sum, despite being published in the mid-20^th century, Latourette’s account exudes a unique quality of perpetuity as the essence of its contents is still lingering and very much evident in the present-day makings of the relationship between the United States and selected Asian nations mentioned in the book.