Imagining Friendship through “Pladake” and the “Friendship Bridges” in the Thai-Laos Relationship

Abstract

                   The article aims to illustrate how Plara-Pladake and the Friendship Bridges function as a communication tool to construct the imagined Thai-Laos friendship. The result indicates that the imagined friendship created by Plara-Pladake is defined as the way of life, the representation of Isan-Laos as well as souvenirs. By contrast, the Friendship Bridges are constructed to be the symbol of Thai-Laos relationship, the economic growth, trading and investment opportunities, transportation and the improving quality of life. Although the result indicates that Plara-Pladake is capable to construct more intense imagined friendship than the Friendship Bridges, it is noteworthy that the Thai authorities are capable to direct their citizens perception towards the Friendship Bridges as the symbol of Thai-Laos friendship, even though this “friendship” is established according to the national economic and political interests. Moreover, the conflict between daily-life friendship and economic interest has occurred from time to time. In contrast, the imagined friendship created by the civil society is an essential component to construct the mutual perception, memoir and a conflict of interest among local folks.
                    In summary, Thai-Laos have been established the friendship under the series of interests and conflicts by adopting Plara-Pladake and the Friendship Bridges as a prominent tool of communication to construct the imagined friendship from the past until now.