Content Analysis of the Documentary on the Tai Ethnic Group by Boonyong Ketthet

Abstract

This research article aims to analyze the content presentation in the ethnic documentary writings of Boonyong Ketthet, specifically focusing on eight of his works that explore Tai ethnic groups. The study identifies three major themes in his content construction. First, in terms of housing, it is found that Tai ethnic communities typically construct large wooden stilt houses with open upper areas, often situated near water sources to facilitate agriculture. Second, in terms of belief systems, four core beliefs are presented: belief in deities, referring to higher beings capable of granting blessings and protection; belief in spirits, including ancestral spirits who are believed to continue watching over their descendants; belief in khwan (life essence), regarded as a sacred and vital element of the human spirit; and belief in karma, influenced by Buddhism, which emphasizes that good deeds yield good outcomes. Third, in terms of rituals, the Tai ethnic groups perform unique ceremonies such as khab mot (ritual diagnosis by a shaman), su khwan (soul-calling ceremony), and traditional wedding rituals. These thematic elements reflect the deep interconnection between lifestyle, belief, and ritual in Tai ethnic communities.