Calling for Democracy and Social Harmony: Thai Identity in 2010

Abstract

The primary discourses of Thai national identity in 2010, mostly shown by elites in history textbooks and speeches, centre on democracy/freedom and neoliberalism/capitalism. The democratic/freedom-based identity was shaped by the domestic Thai political context, especially in the first decade of the 21st century. This was closely linked to the concepts of peace/harmony, social equality/justice, conflictual/unstable, double standards, inequality, and injustice. Although negative discourses present significant challenges for a democracy, they are crucial elements to concretize democratization and socio-political progress. The neoliberal/capitalist identity is a core identity that strengthens the economic growth discourse, and is associated with the West and internationally-integrated discourses. However, its greatest threats come from the conflictual/unstable identity which results in national unreliability, economic recession, poverty, the loss of citizens’ well-being, and low presence on the international stage.