Sets of ideas in the Comedic Discourse in "Dusit Smit" Newspaper: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This article aims to analyze sets of ideas found in the comedic discourse published in Dusit Samit newspaper using critical discourse analysis. The analysis revealed nine conceptual sets about nation, monarchy, masculinity and femininity, perspectives on newspapers, the poor, military, democracy, the claimed-to-be wealthy, and the educated person. As discourse practices, these concepts were produced in the context of jokes that were thoughtfully constructed to reflect political and social situations until it seemed as though these jokes were surreal. As for the social and cultural practices, these jokes were produced in a transitional society before leading to a historical political revolution. The jokes also demonstrated the context of controversy in a Thai culture that accepts Western culture without comprehensive knowledge. Therefore, the comedic discourse found in the newspaper Dusit Samit is another important tool to reflect the social ideas of that time.