On October 24, 2025, the people of Thailand mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother of His Majesty the King Vajiralongkorn. From 1946 to 2016, the Queen Mother fulfilled royal duties side by side with the late His Majesty King Bhumibol. Her Royal Highness has contributed to shaping the image of ‘a perfect family’ and has served as ‘a centre of gratefulness.’ Her Royal Highness has also significantly supported the establishment of ‘the royal hegemony'. Since the day came, there has been speculation that it signifies the true decline of a remarkable era under the reign of the late His Majesty King Bhumibol, Rama IX. On behalf of the Thai Khadi Research Institute and the editorial board, I, the chief editor of this issue, extend my condolences to the Royal Family for their significant loss. As citizens of Thailand, we sincerely appreciate Her Royal Graces.
The current issue of the Journal of the Thai Khadi Research Institute represents the diversity of scholarly research, including history, regional folklore, culture, art history, and tourism. Today marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Boonpisit Srihong wrote an article titled Thailand and the Second World War Involving Process: A Revisionist History. Boonpisit invites the reader to explore the issue of Thailand's entry process into the War through newly discovered reliable sources. These sources indicate that, since the late 1920s, the Thai government and Thai citizens were highly cautious about the surrounding circumstances that could lead to a hint of war eruption. Boonpisit's finding is that the Thai government and its citizens had prepared for the disturbances before the Japanese imperial army invaded Thailand. Moreover, the preps were set up outside the pan-nationalist political condition. However, this article argues against the mainstreaming of the authoritarianism dispute in the early 1930s.
In addition, one of the well-known historical resources can provide us with a new aspect of the social history of Thai traditional music. Songpon Loedkobkune wrote an article titled Thai Music in the Ayutthaya Period: A Social History Based on the Statement of Khun Luang Wat Pradu Song Tham Evidence from the Royal Library. His reexamination of the famous primary sources draws a sketch of a vibrant society in the late Ayutthaya, where Thai traditional music was an integral part of daily life. Furthermore, the illustrative examples include various types of musical instruments readily available in the community marketplace. This picture reflects the diversity of a popular music culture, and the popularity of the specific market during this period sketches ‘bourgeois culture,’ which its shadows might have appeared at least in the late Ayutthaya period.
This issue includes folktale and folklore investigation. An article titled The Myths of King Taksin the Great and His Social and Cultural Relations with Nakhon Si Thammarat, written by Channarong Kongchim and his associates. The residence of King Taksin the Great after exile to the far Southern province was reinvestigated through hearsay and rumors. The southerners believed that since King Taksin the Great escaped the death penalty and spent his final phase of life in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Their finding suggests a geographic entanglement with oral history, which contradicts to popular historical narratives. Their dispute was built upon folktales, lullabies, and collective memories of the commoner. The Southerners also modified their endemic oral history into both tangible and intangible cultural assets. Finally, these local traditions remain valuable.
Another reason that makes Southerners wealthy in cultural assets is that their cuisine is reported as a transcultural by-product, as Bandit Grivijitr and his associates wrote an article titled The Diversity of Southern Food Cultures: Cross / Intercultural Food. The research project was funded by the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture. The project colleagues peer at local cuisine and serve it as a civil way of life. Southern cuisine exemplifies a transcultural marriage that creates dynamic and energetic substances, such as a specific menu served during the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, which signifies the historical transmission of Arabic food culture in the past. In any case, the primary consideration is the selection and recalibration of suitable ingredients and condiments that meet the local dwellers’ preferences. As we can see, some of the Malay-Muslim cuisines reflect the Chinese selective and recalibrated preferences for local savory. As a result, the diversity of Southern food cultures illustrates the deep-seated geopolitics and globalization of this particular region. Colleagues of this researcher suggest that Southern cuisines hold greater significance than local eating traditions; moreover, they emphasise the globally transmitted companionship diet.
The amalgamation, selection, and recalibration can also be seen in art historical studies. An article titled Balustrade with Naga and Makara in Lanna art 21st - 22nd Buddhist Century, written by Nuttawan Numbut. He observes that prior to the twenty-first century, there was no integration of Naga concepts in the construction of a balustrade within the Lanna art tradition. The balustrade adorned with Naga and Makara motifs originates from the reign of King Tilokaraj and the reign of Kaeow Phutadhipatirat, nephew of King Tilokaraj, of the Mangrai dynasty, Kingdom of Lanna. Nuttawan proposes that technicians from Ayutthaya may have exerted influence on this particular decoration, considering the close involvement of the two kingdoms in warfare. Subsequently, Lanna technicians embraced these concepts and recreated them. Furthermore, Nuttawan also speculates on the correlation between the art styles that share similar ideals, such as depicting the image of the Buddha during the reign of King Tilokaraj. Notably, the Lawa Pura cast-metal Buddha features a bold, sharp shinbone. Nevertheless, this particular cast-metal Buddha style was influenced by the southern states, notably Ayutthaya.
Patronages always determine the characteristics of art objects as they are admired. Chankhanit Arvorn wrote The Study of Proportions of the Large Vihara in Kruba Srivichai Process: the Technical Relationship, Art Patterns and the Patronage Network. In this article, Chankhanit examines “Mok,” the proportions of the renovated Vihara under the patronage of Kruba Srivichai’s network. In his terms, Kruba Srivichai’s process refers to the renovation procedure of the local monastery throughout the northern provinces of Thailand. During the late 1910s and 1920s, the highest reverend reassembled the competent public figures, such as technicians, noblemen, entrepreneurs, and esteemed monks, and played a pivotal role as a leader of religious activities. These public figures and technicians leave their ‘signatures’ on the renovation procedures, as evident among the monasteries under the network’s patronage. Consequently, they became contemporary artistic works. Moreover, they provide a strong network under the patronage of the highest reverend Kruba Srivichai, which is reflected in their faithfulness, decisive leadership, and durable structure. Their potential energy demonstrates the achievement of Kruba Srivichai’s process in contemporary Lanna history.
The reconstruction of local heritage is also illustrated in creative tourism. An article titled Creative Tourism Identity and Image of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya, which is linked to the Bangkok Area, written by Puriwaj Dachum and his associate. The identities of local tourists’ destinations were found. Thanks to the search for charming visiting spots among the three riverbank provinces, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya. These three provinces are linked to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and tourist attractions. The searching process includes cognitive behaviors of creative tourism identities over three provinces. They found that the riverside dwellings and multiculturalism are attracting tourism. These creative tourism identities showcase Thailand’s historic roots and attract both domestic and international sightseers. However, the cognitive behaviors of creative tourism, both among Thais and foreigners, are often portrayed more positively by the media than they actually are, particularly in the three areas. This pain point is considered a problem that needs to be addressed for a more accurate representation of tourism in the near future.
This current issue of the Journal of Thai Khadi Research Institute includes a recommendation of the latest book, New Directions in Thai Studies (2025), edited by Preedee Hongsaton and Ying-Kit Chan, suggested by Wirawan Naruepiti. This piece reviews the dominance of overseas-educated scholarships in Thai studies, specifically those from the United States of America and its companion academy from the West during the Cold War. This book collects the work of young scholars in early careers, whose suggestions are carefully designed within established frameworks. They introduce three components of the proposal: New History, New Discipline, and New Comparison. Furthermore, they aim to initiate critical conversations and propose new facets for challenging the dominant academic concepts. Moreover, Kavintorn Satien reviews a book of Grain Revolution: The History of Plant Recognition in Thai Society 1782 - 1992 (2023), written by Tiwaporn Jaikon. He compiles the essential aspects of the book, which leads to an understanding of the origin and transition of Thai plant taxonomy. This knowledge relates to the political, economic, and cultural conditions. Emphasised the Rattanakosin period. Nevertheless, the reviewer of this publication also proposes a credible solution to the identified gap.
Finally, on behalf of the editorial board, I express our sincere aspiration that the Journal of the Thai Khadi Research Institute will serve as a distinguished forum and platform for scholarly publications and academic exchanges within the field of ‘Thai Studies’. Moreover, we aim for it to make meaningful contributions to Thai society. We earnestly hope that our journal will continue to garner support and readership in the future.
Chief Editor
Published: 2025-12-23
