An approach to integrating Folklore and Local History : a case study of the war narratives between Siam and Saiburi in contemporary Thai society

Abstract

 This research paper aim to seek ways to integrate the knowledge of Folklore and Local History  by leading the narratives of the war between Siam and Saiburi as a case study. It is a qualitative research, according to research methodology in folklore field. Data was collected in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Songkhla and Satun provinces, along with collecting document data for the study. The results of the research revealed the narratives of the war between Siam and Saiburi told about the events of the battle which was believed to have actually happened in different localities. These narratives are therefore valuable in cultural studie in Folklore and the study of community development in Local History, it also shows that education in the above two disciplines is related and it has the potential to complement each other. The knowledge of both disciplines may be integrated in 4 approaches: 1) using folklore information to study Local History 2) bring local history to analyze and interpret folklore information. 3) folklore methods are used in the study of Local History and 4) applied local historical methods to folklore studies. This study reveals  an approach to integrate knowledge between the field of Folklore and Local History, which can be applied in interdisciplinary narrative studies.