Folklore and Identities of the Royal Thai Air Force Personnel: A Reflection on the RTAF Commander-in-Chief’s Policy

Abstract

This research aims to examine the relationship between folklore and the desirable identities of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) personnel according to the RTAF Commander-in-Chief’s policy. Employing a qualitative research methodology, data were collected from documentary sources, including the Commander-in-Chief’s policy, participant and non-participant observations, and interviews with key informants involved in the production of folklore. The findings show three identities of the RTAF personnel: loyalty to the main institutions of the nation; unity, harmony and collective cohesion; and self-sacrifice for the collective good. These identities are acknowledged and shaped by the military and the RTAF personnel, as reflected in the connection between the Commander-in-Chief’s policy and the cultural processes of military folklore to cultivate crucial attributes of Thai military personnel. These not only raise awareness of the RTAF’s role in serving society but also play an important part in maintaining institutional solidity and the RTAF’s role in the context of national stability.