The Narrative of Tai Yai and Mon in Thai Short Stories : the Taking-form of Ethnic Groups during ASEAN Community Period

Abstract

This article aims to study the narrative of Tai Yai and Mon ethnic workers in Thai short stories in the era of ASEAN Community. The research found that Thai short stories during ASEAN Community recreate the narrative about Tai Yai and Mon ethnic workers, emphasizing the forming of identity and amplifying ethnic characteristics of Tai Yai and Mon. Through the narrative of their histories and languages, these ethnic groups illustrated their cultures and ways of living and connect themselves in a society in other aspects apart from being a laborer. These stories represent in a new perspective that instead of viewing ethnic workers as a group of people whose only capital is their labor, but to see them as laborers with wisdom reaped from the roots of their histories, which contribute to their fellow friends in a society and ethnic groups. Therefore, the stories about ethnic laborers in a new concept have come to change the perception of the society toward ethnic laborers, eliminating the sense of otherness that discriminates and dominates ethnic groups, bringing the atmosphere of acceptance and respect in the differences. The recreation of the narrative, thus, returns to ethnic labor groups the equality of being a fellow human being by signifying the value of work rather than to which ethnicity a person belongs.