Journal of Thai Studies

Creation of Thai Films during the Pandemic Crisis

Sammiti Sukbunjhong — 2023-09-15

Background and objective (s): The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Thailand began in January 2020. The crisis had a profound impact on the creative community and the production of movies. Based on research entitled 'Thai Films in the New Normal Era: A Study of Adaptation and Thai Film Creation During the Pandemic Crisis', this paper aims 1) to study the adaptation of Thai films in the New Normal Era and 2) to study the creative format of Thai films in the New Normal Era.
Methodology: A qualitative research methodology was used along with in-depth interviews by selecting a specific sample and collecting data by means of interviews, information provided by key informants and descriptive analysis.
Main result: It was found that the adjustments in the work of Thai film producers and creators during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis were as follows: 1) a reduction of personnel and adjustment of the organizational structure to be smaller; 2) utilization of technology to work in new ways; 3) adaptation to situations in order to be ready for change, resolution of complex problems and creative solutions; 4) adaptation to be able to work in a variety of forms of entertainment; and 5) adaptation by creating additional careers, along with film work and financial planning for the future. The research found that during the pandemic crisis there were three types of movie creations: 1) 'streaming', 2) 'remote production' and 3)'virtual production'.

Relevance to Thai Studies: Thai cinema is a cultural heritage and an important social phenomenon. Studying the adaptation and creative style of Thai films during the pandemic crisis is a study of Thainess that can reflect changes in society and the way of living in Thailand through the creation of movies.
Conclusion: Similar to any other industry that needed to adapt during the pandemic crisis, the film industry is an industry within the wheel of capitalism driven mainly by consumption. The movie industry, therefore, needed to adapt to survive by seeking every available channel in order to reach consumers. The research reveals that the efforts of those involved in filmmaking in all sectors helped to brainstorm and to search for ways to allow Thai movies to exist in society. In some cases, adaptation turned crisis into opportunity and gave rise to a new way of film production. This is an important step in the change and development of Thai filmmakers who have to survive in the New Normal Era.

Literary Works on Meditation Practices of the Thammayut Sect in 1824-1895

Sirapob Chonlaharn — 2023-09-15

Background and objective (s): Meditation is a mission of Siamese monks that has become a tradition known as “Boran Kammathan.” However, traditional meditation was regarded as incorrect by the modern Buddhist sect called “Thammayut”, which later attempted to present new thoughts through literary works and with printing technology brought by Westerners. The works are the reflection of an ideal practice proposed by the sect and help understand the crossroad of transforming the traditional into new practices in the nineteenth century. Therefore, this article aims to analyze ideas and methods on the meditation practice developed by the Thammayut Sect and the impact on traditional meditation practice in Siam from literary works written between 1824-1895 by (1) Vajirañāṇa Bhikkhu, later, King Mongkut, (2) Prince-Patriarch Pavaresvariyalongkorn, (3) Somdet Phra Vanarat (Tap Buddhasiri) and (4) Phra Thammatrailokācarya (Dej Ṭhānacāro).

Methodology: The article is based on documentary research by analyzing the ideas and methods from written works and the relevance to Thai society from research concerning the Thammayut sect.

Main result: It is found that meditation practice was intended to reach spiritual attainment, to develop and enhance concentration and Buddhist wisdom according to the Buddha, but the ideas and the methods were interpreted based on the principles from Pali texts. At first, the authors mentioned Caturārakkha, “the Four Retaining Meditations,” i.e., Buddhānussati (contemplation on the virtues of the Buddha), Mettā (contemplation on compassion),Maraṇānussati (contemplation on death), and Asubhasañña (contemplation on corpses), as the methods to develop concentration, but later they added other methods mentioned in the Visuddhimagga. In developing wisdom, mindfulness of the Five Aggregates is recommended. Regarded as one meditating method, reading was applied to develop concentration and wisdom, as well as to grasp the necessary ideas and methods for the practice. In this way, meditation can be practiced without a teacher. The ideas and methods were more accepted after the status of the Thammayut Sect had become more secure. This also resulted to the disappearance of Boran Kammathan, especially when one of the works became a textbook for the curriculum of Dhamma study for the Siamese Sangha.

Relevance to Thai Studies: The study offers Thammayut concept and methods of meditation in the reformation of Buddhist meditation practice that later became a fundamental part of the conceptual and educational development of Buddhism under King Rama V. This study also illustrates the turning point in the history of Siamese Buddhism in modern times. Based on the canonical texts of Theravada tradition and rationality in the interpretation, the literary works affected the awareness of some elite Buddhists at that time in textual doctrine based on their own discretion. This has set up standardized meditation in Thai Buddhism until today.

Conclusion: The meditation method proposed in Thammayut works is not complicated in comparison to the traditional practice and can be studied and followed by individuals through reading. The idea is based on the doctrine in Pali texts focusing on the development of concentration and wisdom. It has gained wider acceptance that it has become standardized meditation in Thai Buddhism until today.

An Analysis of Local Art Identity and Mutelu Beliefs for the Development of Art Activities : A Case Study of Nan's Textile Handicraft

Suchart Imsamraan — 2023-09-15

Background and objective: Nan province has tourist attractions based on various cultures, particularly the local textile handicrafts. In addition to being beautiful with colors and delicate weaving, various patterns also interpolate meanings that reflect the beliefs of the Nan people. This is consistent with the trend of participants today, who seek a mental anchor. The purpose of this research was to analyze and discover the relationship between Nan's textile handicraft identity and Mutelu beliefs for the development of art activities.

Methodology: The sample group was experts in Nan textile handicraft, Nan's textile handicrafts and research related to the Nan's textile handicrafts. The research tools were interviews and a survey of the Nan textile handicrafts. Data were collected by interviewing experts in weaving art in Nan province and studying textile art patterns. Then the identity of Nan's textile handicrafts was analyzed to find ways to use folk art identity for the development of art activities. Data were analyzed by percentage and content analysis.

Main result: 1) The art patterns of Nan's textile handicrafts can be divided into: geometric patterns, applique and miscellaneous patterns and natural patterns. Some patterns can be placed in more than one group. 2) There are a total of 12 hues used in Nan's textile handicrafts: white, black, red, purple, magenta, blue, brown, yellow, orange,green, silver and gold. 3) Mutelu beliefs related to the meaning of the patterns and the colors can be divided into seven types: financial and work, education, love, health, safety from danger, attraction of good energy and other aspects.

Relevance to Thai Studies: A study of Nan's textile handicrafts involves a study of Thai material folklore, which can be considered cultural inheritance. A study of Nan's textile handicrafts about Mutelu beliefs and art is a study of ethnic beliefs and wisdom in Nan province, which is one of the provinces of Thailand. This brings attention to important folklore information and shows how Thai studies and design activities can be integrated, which can be used in daily life and to promote tourism, as well as in educational institutions.

Conclusion: The color of the cloth used in Nan Province is related to some meaning according to Mutelu belief in expressing feelings according to Color Psychology theory. This can be applied to marketing, as well as choosing a color that is close to a certain feeling. The significance of Nan's textile handicrafts and Mutelu beliefs is divided into four categories protection, prosperity, worship and fortune, and beauty and soulmate, all of which may be used to create art activities.

Mhai Proverbial, U-phaipak and Phiphitpak Poems:The Relationship between Proverbial Poems inVajirayanna Viset and the creation of modern civil servants during the reign of King Rama V

Chananchida Boonhor — 2023-09-15

Background and objective (s): To study Thai didactic texts, most researchers agree that the Mhai proverbial, Phiphitpak and Uphaipak poems, which were published for the first time in the Vajirayanna Viset, contain doctrine about admonishing or teaching ethics to ordinary citizens. In addition, a meeting of elite poets to compose poetry during the reign of King Rama V was probably just an entertaining activity among poets. However, in dissemination and social contexts, the researcher noticed that the composition of the poems more than likely had a specific group of readers. Moreover, the three poems may have a played greater role in teaching morals and ethics to citizens. Therefore, this study aimed to study the concepts and teachings of the Mhai proverbial, Phiphitpak and Uphaipak poems and the relationship between the content and the social context to enhance the knowledge of the history of Thai didactic literature during the reign of King Rama V.

Methodology: The researcher used literary data with sociocultural context data to demonstrate the relationship between the proverbial poems in the Vajirayanna Viset and Thai society during the reign of King Rama V.

Main result: Elite poets who played a role in national affairs and education during the reign of King Rama V jointly composed proverbial poems to persuade a group of readers, namely government officials, to be representatives of the state, coordinate with the people and help support the country to be more stable. Based on the dissemination of the content in the Vajirayanna Viset, which collected most of the writings on the learning of various Western technologies to be adapted for the modernization of the administrative system, one could make an assumption that the presentation of the teachings of civil servants in the proverbial poems should have been part of learning about Western culture applied to the elites and officials who were members of the Phra Vajirayana Royal Library. Concepts and teachings from the Mhai proverbial, Phiphitpak and Uphaipak poems in the Vajirayanna Viset reflected that characteristics of modern civil servants should consist of 1) recognition of the importance of education and self-development as knowledgeable civil servants suitable for their positions in government service, 2) a change in the image from elites with superior power over the people to graceful, polite and benevolent elites to the subordinates according to civilization characteristics and 3) open-mindedness and the ability to work with others in harmony and unity. The reign of King Rama V was a time when the full-time working system was applied to the bureaucratic system while modern civil servants were still expected to be honest and loyal to the traditionally idealized monarchy.

Relevance to Thai Studies: This research expands the scope of knowledge about thestudy of didactic literature and worldviews among the Thai elites during the reign of King Rama V to enhance an understanding of the role of poetry writing gathering activity in the society of King Rama V, which was a turning point of literary history and Thai social context.

Conclusion: The composition of the Mhai proverbial, Phiphitpak and Uphaipak poems in the Vajirayanna Viset was not just an entertaining activity for the elite poets conveying ethical teachings to ordinary citizens, but was also the process of creating works to reveal the relationship between literature and society where the elite poets jointly defined the roles and duties of modern civil servants during the process of changing the administrative structure of the country. Moreover, the Western concepts of science that were introduced to Thai society also affected the process of text composition, such as the establishment of the Phra Vajirayana Royal Library of the elites based on the club’s characteristics, job creation through focus group discussions to exchange ideas and evaluate values, and book publication to disseminate teaching concepts among the members.

Construction of the Meanings of Tourism in the Writings of Thai Travel Bloggers: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Danai Ployplai — 2023-09-15

Background and objective (s): Tourism has been flourishing and has generated a large amount of income, both in Thai and global contexts. Travel bloggers have played a crucial role in promoting tourism and especially in constructing the meanings of tourism. The research for this article aimed to examine the construction of the meanings of tourism by means of linguistic devices in the writings of Thai travel bloggers.

Methodology: Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (Fairclough, 1992, 1995) serves as a framework for analyzing 100 pieces of texts from 10 famous Thai travel bloggers, each contributing 10 entries.

Main result: Based on the materials, it was found that there are four dominate and related clusters of ideas on tourism: (1) tourism is a desirable activity, (2) tourism is an investment and risky, (3) tourism is a mission, and (4) travel bloggers are “friends” who provide effective guidance for travelers/tourists so that they can accomplish their mission.

These clusters of ideas are constructed using nine linguistic devices: a set of lexical words, presupposition, imperative discourse, cause and effect structure of the statement, casual language style, the lexical terms of confirmation, superlative forms, reasonings and definitions.

This study argues that the meanings of tourism found in the travel writings are contradictory. Desirable tourism is defined as relaxation, but it is also considered a mission at the same time. In addition, although travel bloggers are represented as “friends” who provide effective guidance for travelers/tourists, they do so by using authoritative and injunctive statements.

In terms of discursive practice, it was found that the writings of Thai travel bloggers exhibit interdiscursivity that combines tourism and business discourses. From the perspective of socio-cultural practice, the emergence of low-cost carriers in Thailand and of user-generated content render the writings of Thai travel bloggers an experiential and promotional discourse.

Relevance to Thai Studies: The research for this article reveals how language constructs the meanings of tourism, which shapes Thai people’s understandings and their behavior related to tourism in contemporary Thai society. In a Thai context, the research broadens the scope of analysis for the role of language through the lens of discourse studies and tourism studies and should also make a contribution to the studies of Thai language and Thai society in other aspects.

Conclusion: The writings of Thai travel bloggers portray tourism as “a desirable activity” in order to make tourism attractive. The writings then present tourism as “a risky investment” and as “a mission,” to provide the idea that tourism is a necessity and an activity that requires careful planning. Finally, travel bloggers are represented as “friends” of travelers/tourists who give advice and design the way of traveling to secure the accomplishment of their travel missions and desirable travel experiences. The construction of these meanings is meant to promoting the authority of travel bloggers and maximizing their own financial benefits.

Traces of Burmese language in The Rama tale of Tai Yai (Chao Rama)

Sittichai Panchon — 2023-09-15

Background and objective (s):

There is clear evidence that The Shan and the Burmese kingdoms have been connected in historical and political dimensions for a long time. However, there is scarce evidence of the connection between the two in terms of linguistic and literary dimensions. The Rama tale of the Shan (Chao Rama) is a Shan version of the story of Rama that indicates the connection between the two kingdoms in terms of language. This article aims to point out the influence of the Burmese language on Shan literature by studying the traces of the script and Burmese orthography, including the characteristics of loan words that appear in the Chao Rama story.

Methodology:

Analysis of the alphabet used, orthography and loanwords in the literature.

Main result:

Pali verse and Burmese words are frequently written using the Burmese alphabet and orthography. In terms of alphabet and orthography, the results demonstrated that this Shan (Tai Yai) literature employs both Burmese and Pali loanwords, in addition to Pali loanwords using the Shan alphabet and Burmese orthography.

The use of Burmese words in this literature suggests that the Shan may have adopted various Burmese words from the Bagan period to the present. The spelling and pronunciation of Burmese loanwords in the Shan language are distinct. Furthermore, it was found that the fonts have been modified to correspond with the pronunciation in the Shan language. Finally, similar to Pali loanwords in Burmese, the Shan Pali loanwords are pronounced with consonant spellings and the addition of tonal sounds based on the sound characteristics of the Burmese language.

Relevance to Thai Studies:

This article aims to expand the knowledge of Tai Studies, especially the relationship between Shan and Burmese language and literature. This study shows that the Burmese language has influenced the Shan language. This article will serve as the starting point for a further comparative study of the Burmese, Thai and Shan Rama stories.

Conclusion:

Burmese language traces found in the Shan Rama story indicate a relationship between the Shan and Burma languages and cultures. The Shan poets used Burmese loan words to compose their works, modifying the sound following the characteristics of the Shan language. Therefore, this combination of the Shan and Burmese languages also reflects the linguistic prowess of the Shan poets.