Interdisciplinary Journal of Humanities Studies

Thai Social Problems through the Lens of the Humanities

Wanida Panthong — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to analyze the problems of inequality, identity, and human dignity in contemporary Thai society through a humanities-oriented framework that incorporates humanist philosophy, cultural studies, and identity theory. The central research question is: How can the humanities contribute to restoring human dignity in Thailand? The study applies a mixed-method approach that combines theoretical document analysis with ethnographic vignettes reflecting the lived experiences of marginalized communities in both urban and rural contexts. The findings reveal that economic and class inequality remain the structural foundation of social disparities. Education, instead of bridging such gaps, reproduces cultural and social capital that favors the middle and upper classes. Moreover, the urban–rural divide creates a dynamic in which many people live “between two worlds,” unable to fully access urban resources while also being distanced from their local roots. At the same time, consumerist values and the expansion of digital media have generated a crisis of meaning and fragile virtual identities, contributing to widespread mental health issues. Meanwhile, the traditional role of religion and customary practices as mechanisms of social healing has been commodified within the globalized market economy. Nevertheless, the humanities provide multiple pathways for healing and transformation. Artistic and literary practices create spaces for reflection, empathy, and collective understanding. These approaches highlight that addressing the crisis of human dignity in Thailand requires not only structural reform but also cultural and existential renewal.

Developing an understanding of Thai local community history: concepts, theories, and practices

Kanokpon Rungpirin — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to analyze concepts, theories, and practices related to enhancing the understanding of local community history in Thailand. Drawing on frameworks such as history from below, collective memory, local cultural knowledge, and cultural democracy, the study examines the development of historical knowledge management at the community level. It explores structural challenges, the role of grassroots actors, and the contributions of educational institutions in fostering participatory historical learning. Empirical case studies are presented, contrasting communities with established local historical learning systems and those facing social amnesia, to assess the social and identity-related impacts. Findings indicate that community-based historical learning can significantly strengthen local identity, pride, and solidarity, especially when communities take ownership of the content, methods, and media of their historical narratives. However, the development of local historical knowledge remains constrained by centralized education policies, interpretive conflicts, structural biases, and the detachment of younger generations from historical consciousness. The article proposes policy and educational recommendations including the integration of local history into curricula, the establishment of community-run historical learning centers, the use of digital technologies for knowledge dissemination, and the fostering of collaboration among government bodies, educational institutions, and local communities. These efforts aim to position local history as a vital mechanism for identity formation, civic empowerment, and long-term social sustainability.

Changing Thai Culture and Identity in the Era of Globalization

Ponchai Pinkaew — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to analyze the transformation of Thai culture and identity within the context of globalization, through the application of conceptual frameworks, critical theories, and empirical case studies. It highlights how globalization—particularly via digital media and the entertainment industry—has facilitated the rapid influx of cultural capital, technology, and ideologies into Thai society. These influences have brought about both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, globalization enables cross-cultural exchange, creative identity formation, and the emergence of expressive spaces for specific groups such as youth, ethnic minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community. On the other hand, it has led to the diminishing role of traditional Thai customs and the erosion of cultural roots through homogenization. Through the lens of fluid identity, cultural hybridity, and soft power, this study reveals that Thai identity in the modern era is not static, but rather a dynamic process involving negotiation, selection, and performance across diverse contexts. The paper argues that managing Thai culture under globalization requires a dynamic approach that values identity pluralism, fosters media literacy, and encourages culturally balanced policy development. It also recommends the promotion of inclusive cultural platforms that support participation and creative expression. These measures can ensure that Thai culture remains a living, adaptive, and sustainable force in an increasingly interconnected world.

Memory with the Politics of Silence: Historical Wounds in Contemporary Thai Society

Worasuda Prakaywan — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article, “Collective Memory and the Politics of Silence: Historical Trauma in Contemporary Thai Society,” examines the relationship between collective memory and silence as a structural mechanism of political power. It argues that silence is not merely the absence of speech but a strategic tool employed by the state and dominant institutions to control historical narratives, avoid accountability, and normalize political violence. Drawing on theories of collective memory, politics of memory, silence as power, and cultural trauma, the study analyzes the development of memory and silence in Thai political history, focusing on the events of October 14, 1973, and October 6, 1976, as comparative case studies. The findings reveal a sharp asymmetry in Thailand’s memory politics: the October 14 uprising is officially remembered as a democratic victory, while the October 6 massacre has long been rendered silent through state discourse, education, media practices, and failures of the judicial system. This enforced silence has fostered a culture of impunity, enabled the repetition of political violence, and undermined the rule of law and constitutional legitimacy. Through comparison with South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Germany’s post-war confrontation with the Nazi past, the article demonstrates that societies which choose to confront historical violence through truth-telling, transitional justice, and institutionalized memory are better able to transform historical trauma into a moral foundation for democratic legitimacy. In contrast, Thailand’s persistent reliance on the logic of “forgetting for the sake of stability” continues to accumulate unresolved moral and political costs. The article argues that transforming silence into shared truth is a necessary condition for sustainable democracy. It concludes by proposing policy reforms, including the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms, legal protections for truth-seeking and memory work, and the cultivation of public spaces for historical reflection, in order to replace “silent reconciliation” with reconciliation grounded in truth, accountability, and human dignity.