The Journal of the Thai Khadi Research Institute

Thailand and the Second World War Involving Process: A Revisionist History

Boonpisit Srihong — 2025-12-23

The history of Thailand and her participation in the Second World War has been a subject of academic studies from 1947 until the present day. Conventional analyses of the many decades of such studies comprise two main approaches. First, Thailand's entered into the Second World War as soon as it began in Europe on 1 September 1939. Second, Thailand entered into the Second World War when Japan started the Great East Asia War on 8 December 1941. Preferring to concentrate solely on Field Marshal Luang Pibulsongkram (Thailand’s 3rd Prime Minister from 16 December 1938 to 1 August 1944) and his cult of nationalism and his steadfast support of Japan, these studies have been repeatedly cited and became the mainstream history of Thailand and the Second World War period.

This article critically reviews such mainstream approaches by expanding the timeframe, looking at past events and new evidence that date from 1927 and its decade, including archival sources, personal documents, contemporary publications, and other primary sources of the wartime period. The examination of these recently available materials reveals that Thailand's entry into the Second World War was a systematic, evolving, and continuous process that predated the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe. These new interpretations expound 3 key issues: 1. the awareness of the circumstances of the War; 2. the prognosis of another possible war by both the government and the public sectors that leads to 3. The process of preparing for war, whose material evidence allows for an analysis of the following 6 elements: (1) the national defense preparation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (2) the charity donations into the military funds; (3) the Navy Enhancement Act of 1934; (4) the activities of the Military Youth Force; (5) the inception of Thailand’s air defense; and (6) the establishment of radio broadcasting as a defense apparatus.

Thai Music in the Ayutthaya Period: a Social History Based on the Statements of Khun Luang Wat Pradu Song Tham Evidence from the Royal Library

Songpon Loedkobkune — 2025-12-23

This article aims to study Thai social history through the traditional Thai music in the Ayutthaya period. The discussion is based on the statements of Khun Luang Wat Pradu Song Tham, evidence from the royal library. This document has never been used to study the social history related to traditional Thai music before. The result of this article shows that the document not only illustrates the configuration of the social life in the Ayutthaya kingdom but also discusses various important events in the late Ayutthaya period. The document has 43 references to music and related aspects, which are divided into five elements: 1) Names and places that are related to music, 2) Music and trade, 3) Music as a signal, 4) Fanfare music in royal ceremonies, and 5) The entertainment and populace music culture. This evidence demonstrates the richness and prevalence of the Thai music culture in the late Ayutthaya period, which played two different roles: 1) Royal music culture, and 2) Populace music culture.

The Myths of King Taksin the Great and His Social and Cultural Relations with Nakhon Si Thammarat

Channarong Kongchim — 2025-12-23

This article aims to examine the myth of King Taksin the Great and its socio - cultural relationship with the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The research is based on data collected through interviews and participant observation, with the findings presented through descriptive and analytical interpretation. The objectives of the study are: (1) to investigate the myth of King Taksin the Great as it is narrated in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and (2) to explore the folklore associated with this myth within the local cultural context.

The findings reveal that: (1) Local people in Nakhon Si Thammarat believe that King Taksin the Great fled to the region during the final years of his life and was ordained as a monk at Wat Khao Khun Phanom in Phrom Khiri District. Eleven key narrative events are associated with this belief, including his arrival, royal journey, temporary residences, ordination site, place of death, and cremation site. These events have been transformed into communal myths that explain place names and geographical features through a mythical lens. (2) The folklore related to the myth of King Taksin the Great reinforces local belief in his historical and spiritual presence in the area. This is evident through ritual practices such as annual offerings, the construction of royal monuments in temples and sacred locations, the Hor Phra Soong cremation site, and the shrine (Kaeng Phra Chao Tak) believed to house his relics. Furthermore, oral traditions such as lullabies referencing King Taksin, street naming, and the creative design of boats in his likeness during the end - of - Buddhist - Lent festival exemplify inventive forms of folkloric expression.

The Diversity of Southern Food Cultures: Cross / Intercultural Food

Bundit Grivijitr — 2025-12-23

This research article investigates the cuisine of southern Thailand within the conceptual framework of “food and culture.” Data collection involved field studies, observations in southern restaurants (representing both Buddhist and Muslim communities), and home visits facilitated by local contacts in various provinces.

This study identifies distinct characteristics of southern Thai cuisine, reflecting a profound relationship between the natural environment (forest and sea) and culinary practices. This interconnection underscores the inseparability of food and culture within the proposed framework.

A prominent feature of southern cuisine is its reliance on diverse natural resources, including forest and marine products. Influenced by both local traditions and global food cultures, southern cuisine has adapted to globalization, incorporating values of taste, economy, and identity.

Furthermore, southern cuisine demonstrates significant connections with other regional cuisines in Thailand, such as Central and Isan cuisines, while also reflecting international influences from Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Malay culinary traditions. Key ingredients like turmeric and pepper exemplify these connections, highlighting the role of Southern cuisine as a nexus of cross - cultural exchange. These culinary practices accommodate diverse consumer preferences and inspire experimentation and innovation.

This study concludes that southern Thai cuisine represents a dynamic integration of local identity and global influences. It highlights the adaptability of this cuisine to changing socio - economic contexts, particularly within tourism and the expanding global food landscape, positioning southern Thai food as an integral part of both national and international culinary heritage.

Balustrade with Naga and Makara in Lanna art 21st - 22nd Buddhist Century

Nuttawan Numbut — 2025-12-23

Naga balustrades in the Lanna style of art appeared clearly in the 21^st - 22^nd Buddhist century during the golden age of the Lanna Kingdom. Before those times, there was no evidence that the Naga was used to build as a railing. Therefore, it may be assumed that this is an art form that was inspired by other kingdoms such as Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. Until becoming a specific style during the golden age of the Lanna Kingdom, and continued to the present with more diverse forms.

Lanna Naga balustrades in the 21^st - 22^nd Buddhist century which appeared until nowsday, its function is significantly to be use for balustrades of the stairs heading to Main Stupa on each four directions, mostly made in the form of five - headed Naga wearing crown with big one to six Stripe Patterns such as Lanna floral motif, Curved Patterns and Lanna Kranok patterns, which are popular forms in those time. Studying from those patterns, according to the number of evidence, such as inscriptions in the 21^st - 22^nd Buddhist century, shows the relation of fine arts of all the remaining Lanna Naga balustrades in Wat Chedi Luang temple, Wat Suan Dok temple, and Wat Umong temple.

The Study of Proportions of the Large Vihara in Kruba Srivichai Process: the Technical Relationship, Art Patterns and the Patronage Network

Chankhanit Arvorn — 2025-12-23

This research article is part of a research project on “Craftsman and network patronage of Buddhist art in Lanna: An Art history analysis”. The objective research investigates the craftsmanship identity work of art together with historical evidence and to explain the technical relationship between the art patterns and the patronage network. This article shows that the analysis of a large Vihara in the Kruba Srivichai process, totaling 6 Vihara, using the concept of Vihara proportion (Mok), as a tool for determining proportion, both in terms of the main structure and architectural elements. The research found that large Viharas use Mok 18 and 16 proportions, a combination of traditional and new material, namely concrete. This phenomenon occurredin Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Phayao during the Buddhist decade 1917 - 1927, with the network of monks, disciples, Chinese technicians, and the patronage of the new middle class.

Creative Tourism Identity and Image of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Ayutthaya, Which Is Linked to the Bangkok Area

Puriwaj Dachum — 2025-12-23

The purposes of this research were to (1) explore and identify the creative tourism identities of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya Provinces linked to Bangkok area; (2) study Thai and foreign tourists’ perception behavior and their perception of creative tourism images; and (3) propose the directions of creative tourism image development.

The results revealed that (1) the identity of the 3 - province cluster included water - based cities with the bond of rivers, traditional but contemporary ways of life, multicultural communities, a national culture prototype, and an abundance of local food for city people. (2) Both Thai and foreign tourists’ perception behavior was similar. In terms of Thai and foreign tourists’ perception through media and actual trips, only 9 attributes were not different from those through actual trips. The particular perception analysis of image through actual trips revealed that Thai tourists’ perception, which were not different from those of foreign tourists, covered 13 attributes. (3) Creative tourism image development should focus on conveying information both on and post journeys to cause favorable significant memories, encouraging tourists to generate content, and integrating spatial marketing with the theme “The River - based Diversity”. The participation of tourism stakeholders is a key success factor in the development of creative tourism image, especially for the post - COVID - 19 tourism, which is still an important development policy for creative tourism.

New Directions in Thai Studies

Wirawan Naruepiti — 2025-12-23

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Grain Revolution: The History of Plant Recognition in Thai Society 1782 - 1992

Gwyntorn Satean — 2025-12-23

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