The Journal of the Thai Khadi Research Institute

Colonization of the Times: A Periodization Problem in Lanna History

2025-06-24T14:08:34+07:00

Modern periodization in Lan Na history resulted from the introduction of modern historicism in studying history in the early 20^th century, after which various periodization models for Lan Na history have been proposed. However, as the study of Lan Na history has never been independent of the study of Thai/Siamese history, all the proposed models were influenced by the mainstream lens among the Thai/Siamese elite-intellectuals. The Phongsawasan Yonok model, the first modern periodization model of Lan Na history proposed in the closing of the 19^th century by Chaem Bunnag, was shaped by adopting the way the lens and methods of British Colonial historians in studying Indian history, which was popular among the Siamese elite-intellectuals of the times. Similarly to the British periodization model of Indian history, the model subsequently consisted of the orientalist racist notion and helped legitimize Bangkok’s colonization of Lan Na. Also, the “main periodization model,” generally accepted in the study of Lan Na history nowadays, despite being an answer to a localist call for historical autonomy from Thai/Siamese historiography, still contains an anti-Burmese attitude, which is a core idea of the royal nationalist narrative of Thai history, and was exploited by the Thai state in their propaganda effort during the World War and the Cold War eras.

Objects, Humans, and Spirits Coexist Through People's Sensory Experiences Along the Mekong River

2025-06-24T14:41:54+07:00

This article reviews conceptual frameworks with preliminary field data to study ecology and sensory ideas. It integrates Arturo Escobar’s pluriverse framework and Timothy Ingold’s material ecology. Mekong River conservation areas are examined from the viewpoint of Ingold’s non - anthropocentric approach to environmental studies to analyze material culture and ecological anthropology. Following the actor - network theory (ANT), how Mekong River communities in Ban Samrong, Pho Sai District, and Ban Ta Mui, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province develop concepts and practices to coexist with their environment is studied. Results are that each site has unique experiences, perspectives, and understandings of the physical and intangible worlds as a pluriverse. This shift in focus from human - centered to broader ecological interactions suggests that traditional study methods are inadequate.

Thung Kula Rong Hai History from 1957 to 2017

2025-06-24T15:14:38+07:00

This research studied development and changes in Thung Kula Rong Hai history, including the social context inspiring local historiography. Results were that significant changes derived from the social context, leading to diverse works on infrastructure development. Academic social history was an increasingly prominent in intellectual history. After the Thai popular uprising of 14 October 1973, community culture expanded through the 1990s, including a movement opposing globalization and heeding village communities after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, as well as attempts to deconstruct 1950s rhetoric. These social contexts impacted Thung Kula Rong Hai writings on diverse educational issues, including society, economics, culture, spirituality, and archaeology.

The Potential Influence of Thai Art on Myanmar Buddha Images Associated with Navagraha Days

2025-06-24T15:42:37+07:00

In Burmese art from independence in 1948 to the present, creating Buddha images has been related to the Navagraha and daily life. The significant characteristic is that Buddha images were installed together with the original belief in worshipping the nine planets, by choosing different postures or mudras for each Buddha image for the sake of differentiation.

However, this approach is not a historical tradition in Burmese art, may have been adopted from Thai art, in which Buddha images were thus created since the reign of King Rama III (Nangklao).

This study offers examples of Buddha images in Burma and in Thailand (created by Burmese artisans) analyzed art historically. The goal is to elucidate the artistic relationship between Burma and Thailand through the Buddha images representing the Navagraha and daily life.

Illustrated Books and Comics Lauding His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great: Dynamics of Regal Representation in Contemporary Panegyric Literature

2025-06-24T15:57:43+07:00

This research studied dynamics of contemporary panegyric literature through regal representation in illustrated books and comics lauding His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) published between 1999 and 2021. Results indicated ten representations of Rama IX transformed from previous representations in Thai panegyric literature: 1) as an expert in the modern interdisciplinary fields; 2) as problem solver of contemporary crises; 3) as initiator of the sufficiency economy and new agricultural theory; 4) as devoted to his subjects; 5) as teacher instructing a nation; 6) as a civic example; 7) as grateful royal son; 8) as diligent and courageous; 9) as a devoted dog owner; and 10) as a creative, witty monarch. In these depictions Rama IX is seen as an ordinary mortal with hopes and ethics. As such, he was a suitable ruler for contemporary Thai society, differing from prior social contexts.

Creative Product Procedures: Wat Phrarub Community Salted Eggs Developed by Applying Local Lore and Temple Museum Knowledge

2025-06-24T16:29:25+07:00

Mae Fuen Salted Eggs is a local product created by the local lore of Wat Phrarub community residents, relying on the creative economy and product design. The four-step creative process comprises: 1) relating body of knowledge linked to the temple, community, local lore, invention, products, service, museum collections, and academic knowledge; 2) product creation, including name, branding, packaging, label, and ingredients; 3) value added based on concepts and theories chosen as the concept framework such as illuminating local lore by manufacturing salted eggs for product use; and 4) seeking stakeholder cooperation from the temple, community, scholars, and local residents informed and experienced with lore. Collaboration is vital for successful in transmission of creative products for popular recognition and acceptance as well as future sustainable growth.

How to Live with Microbes in the Specialty Coffee World: A Case Study of Small - Scale Coffee Farmers and Processors in Chumphon Province

2025-06-24T16:43:21+07:00

This multispecies ethnographic article examines how green coffee beans are produced by humans and microbes. In robusta coffee farms and processing sites in Chumphon Province, a growing specialty coffee market significantly influences smallholder coffee production and processors in Chumphon to heed bean quality, especially to ensure flavor precursors, exclude pathogenic microbes, and meet market standards. Multisensory approaches, rather than ocularcentrism, reveal intricately entangled relationships of producers, processors and microbes to produce and control the quality of fermenting, drying and storing in pluvial southern Thailand. Uncertain weather conditions directly affect coffee quality, safety, and flavor on production lines.

(Before) Thai Football Goes to the World Cup

2025-06-24T17:02:32+07:00

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