THE POLITICS OF IDENTITY: BUDDHISM AND ETHNIC IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION OF SHAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN CHIANGMAI PROVINCE

Abstract

The study of Politics on Identity of Shan (Tai Yai) migrant workers consist of these three contents; which are 1) To explore brief history, culture, beliefs, ways of life, both political and social of Shan migrant workers 2) to study the Buddhist principles and identification of Shan migrant workers, 3) To analyze the influence of Buddhism on Tai(Shan) migrant workers.  According to the analysis and study of data found that: 1) The cultural context of the Shan migrant workers, in the current situation is changing according to  globalization through the modernization and access to digital media and social media 2) In terms of Buddhism and the creation of identity of Shan migrant workers, found that Shan migrant workers truly believe in Buddhism. 3) Regarding the influence of Buddhism and the creation of identity of Shan migrant workers, Buddhism has been a hallmark of Shan migrant workers in reproducing identities in response to negative discourses on ethnic groups. To Create and reproduce the dual identity of Shan migrant workers which representation that Shan people was the one of Thai. Perspective that Shan was able to live together with people in Thailand.