Theory, culture, and society (TCS) in modern Thailand, 2023

Abstract

The aim of this academic paper is to analyze the structure of the democratic transition of modern Thailand in terms of its theory, culture, and society. Democracy is an alien concept to Thailand and its earlier Siamese incarnation. This academic article makes use of non-participant participation by using an attitudinal survey (Likert Scale) of Thai persons in addition to focus groups made up of Thai-farang and local Thai couples with and without children. The survey was carried out via Google Survey between 10 July 2023 and 10 September 2023 in Singapore among foreign Thai participants. The size of the local focus group in which f2f was conducted in Singapore was 23 persons. All 23 persons who took part in the f2f focus group were either Thai men and women or Thai men or women married to farang with long-term employment passes in Thailand. The details of their homes in Singapore and Thailand, their birth certificate numbers and their Thai national identity card numbers, ages, and gender were not recorded. The attitudinal survey was also not compulsory and participants could leave any time they wanted; even though none did leave and all remained to take part in the entire survey. Therefore, the survey and the focus group were anonymous. There were a total of 10 questions in the survey and 10 questions were written in English as well as Standard Thai Language (STL) for the focus group. The results of both are listed as Annex A and Annex B to this academic article.