Statism Policy and Civil State Policy: from discourses to development policies

Abstract

The academic paper aimed to study the social phenomenon in Thailand. In the period of the Government of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkhram, the discourses “Nationalism” and “Statism” appeared. Besides, in the period of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, “Civil State” and “Thainiyom” were highlighted. This academic paper was a comparative study of discourses and social contexts. It revealed the controversy and conflict of the meanings and the influences of discourses on the reformation and national development in each era. The study established the understanding of government practices and policies. Both Statism policies and Civil State policies were different. However, they were similar in some aspects; the government implied the discourses into policy implementation for national development.