Cultural and Language Identity of the Thesaban Takbai Malay Ethnic, Southern Thailand: A Phenomenological Analysis

Novel Lyndon,Hasni Zakaria,A.M Azima,M.S Sarmila,Aznie C.R Rosniza

doi:10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p11

Abstract

The constructions of ethnic minority group identity are often overshadowed by the majority group. The main objective of this study is to understand the nature of language and cultural identity desired by the ethnic minority group. This study used the phenomenological research paradigm that focuses on understanding the Malay ethnic group of Southern Thailand in Thesaban Takbai, Narathiwat in respect of the formation of ethnic identity base on their world-view. The unit of analysis in this study consists of ten Malay ethnic individuals of Southern Thailand living in Thesaban Takbai, Narathiwat, Thailand. Ten informants consisting of five men and five women with the age ranging from 20 to 60 years old were selected based on the type of occupations and level of education to be interviewed in-depth in this study. The sample was selected using the non-probability sampling that is the purposive and snowball sampling. The findings show that the Malay ethnic of Thesaban Takbai in Southern Thailand still desire to maintain the Patani Malay culture in terms of clothing and name. The informants’ views towards the language identity show that they are very tolerant of the position of Thai Language as the National Language. The implications of this study is that the Thai government should take into consideration the interests of the minority groups and not to practice the integration policy in the form of top-down administrative through the assimilation approach that is considered as discriminating to the minority groups. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p11

Highlights

Based on the previous studies by Che Mohd Aziz (2012), Aphornsuvan (2004), Dorairajoo (2009), Imtiyaz (2009) and Suwannathat-Pian (2002) show that the question of identity is a very sensitive issue and cause problems that could trigger prolonged conflict like the one happening between the Southern Thailand Malay ethnic with the Government of Thailand
This study aims to look at the identity built upon the current Southern Thailand Malay ethnic in Thesaban Takbai
The desired identity shows that the Southern Thailand Thesaban Takbai Malay ethnic is the minority Malay ethnic group who still adhere to the traditional identity of the religion (Islam) and culture (Malay) but are beginning to show tolerance towards the modernization in the language and education perspectives

Summary

Introduction

Based on the previous studies by Che Mohd Aziz (2012), Aphornsuvan (2004), Dorairajoo (2009), Imtiyaz (2009) and Suwannathat-Pian (2002) show that the question of identity is a very sensitive issue and cause problems that could trigger prolonged conflict like the one happening between the Southern Thailand Malay ethnic with the Government of Thailand. When discussing about the construction of identity based on the minority and majority conflict, the focus is more often given to the aspect of policy planning or implementation by the majority that is the government This can be seen in the identity issue involving the Malay ethnic minority in Southern Thailand. In this issue, the majority that is the Government of Thailand is more likely to be criticized as a party that is inconsiderate of the interests of the minority groups and ethnocentric in implementing the top-down administrative integration policy through the assimilation approaches that are considered discriminatory of the minority groups. The issue of the Southern Thailand Malay ethnic was regarded as Thailand's domestic problem and received less attention from the international communities

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion