Thai Youth Research Articles

Beyond the ballot: Factors shaping political participation among university students in Bangkok

This study explores the determinants of political participation among Thai youth, focusing on the roles of political interest, knowledge, and efficacy. Employing stratified random sampling, data were collected from 191 university students in Bangkok. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via Smart PLS was utilized to test hypotheses regarding the direct and mediating effects of political interest and knowledge on participation, highlighting the mediating role of political efficacy. The findings indicate that political efficacy significantly enhances participation, while political interest boosts knowledge significantly but does not directly influence efficacy. Furthermore, political knowledge positively affects efficacy but not participation directly. Notably, the indirect effects of political interest on participation through efficacy alone are insignificant, but the pathways from interest to participation through both knowledge and efficacy, and from knowledge to participation through efficacy, are significant. These results elucidate the complex interactions between political interest, knowledge, and efficacy in shaping the political engagement of Thai youth.

Personality and Tendency in Deciding to Receive Cosmetic Procedures among Thai Youth in The Bangkok Metropolitan Area

Facial cosmetic procedures are medical interventions which are designed to enhance or improve the appearance of the face. In Thailand, there are limited studies that explore the intentions of Thai youth to undergo facial cosmetic procedures. The research’s purpose is to investigate the reasons that make Thai youth and teenagers undergo facial cosmetic procedures. The correlation between personality traits and the tendency to undergo cosmetic procedures among Thai youth in the Bangkok Metropolitan area was studied using an online questionnaire based on the personalities under the Big Five Inventory-10, including agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. There are 427 participants in the survey with 70.02% females,an age range of 16-18 and mostly students. The tendency in receiving cosmetic procedures is significantly different between genders among Thai youth. The tendency of receiving cosmetic procedures is significantly different among Thai youth with different amounts of income. Agreeable personalities are significantly different between genders, but there is no correlation between agreeableness and tendency to obtain facial cosmetic procedures, and women are more likely to receive facial cosmetic procedures than men do regardless of agreeableness.

Socio-ecological factors associated with e-cigarette susceptibility and current use among Thai adolescents

International research documents the popularity of youth e-cigarette use and factors associated with consumption. However, less research has examined the behaviour in jurisdictions where such products are illegal. This study therefore investigated social and demographic factors associated with the use of e-cigarettes among youth in Thailand, where such products are prohibited. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among middle and high school students (n = 6,111) to capture individual, interpersonal, organizational, and social factors potentially related to the behaviour. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess associations with e-cigarette susceptibility and use. The prevalence of e-cigarette susceptibility was 15.9%, with 9.7% reporting current use. Risk factors, including lower GPA, current smoking, current substance use, and peer vaping, were associated with susceptibility (vs. non-susceptibility) and use (vs. susceptibility). Parental vaping was linked solely to current use, while middle school attendance, current alcohol use, exposure to e-cigarette use in school and exposure to online marketing, were linked to susceptibility. Negative attitude towards e-cigarettes and regular exposure to anti-e-cigarette activities in school were protective factors against both. High-risk perceptions and regular parental supervision were protective factors for susceptibility. Despite bans, a significant proportion of Thai youth engage in e-cigarette use or are susceptible to it. Unique factors influence susceptibility and use, highlighting the need for strengthening laws and adjusting prevention efforts.

From Ong to idols: hyper-real religions, spiritual practices, and popular culture among Thai youth

ABSTRACT This paper employs Adam Possamai’s concept of “hyper-real religions” to argue that Thai youth are utilizing various spaces to blend different faiths and popular cultures, and synergizing with consumerism to shape a novel manifestation of “religion.” In Thai communities, spiritual practices and mediumship are interwoven into communal dynamics, often supporting local Buddhist institutions. Kitiarsa presented the journey of becoming a medium, which involves physical symptoms, negotiations with spirits, and eventual acceptance. This study explores the notion of “Ong” within contemporary youth culture and analyzes glocalized beliefs among Thai spiritual practitioners on digital platforms through online practice, questionnaires, and interviews. Unlike historical views where Ong bestowed supernatural abilities, contemporary practitioners perceive themselves as empowered to choose. They amalgamate multiple religions and pop culture to make spiritual practices more relatable while acknowledging their embedded political implications. The paper comprises sections on Thai religious practice, hyper-real religions, commodification of faith, de-westernization of tarot reading, integration of Hinduism, and K-Pop’s impact on Thai youth spirituality.

Hospital Admission for Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Thai Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A National Study during 2015-2019.

To study the national incidence of admission for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Thai children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and characterize risk factors for DKA admission. Admission records of children and adolescents with T1D during the years 2015-2019 were retrieved from the Thai health coverage system of all schemes. Hospitalization was categorized according to patients' age groups (<1, 1-5, 6-12 and 13-17 years), sex and geographical regions (Bangkok, Central, Northeast, North and South). DKA admission incidence and rate were calculated and compared among subgroups. The annual incidences of T1D and DKA admissions progressively increased over the study period (T1D: 12.0 to 15.0, p<0.001 and DKA: 4.8 to 7.3 per 100,000 child-years, p<0.001). About half of DKA admissions (52%) were recurrent episodes. DKA admission rate was 1.49 admissions/patient. The incidence of DKA admission was greatest in individuals aged 13-17 years (13-17 years: 10.3; 6-12 years: 6.3; 1-5 years: 1.7; and <1 year: 0.6 per 100,000 child-years, p<0.001). DKA admission incidence was greater in females than males (7.6 vs. 4.3 per 100,000 child-years, p<0.001). Among 5 geographical regions, greatest percentage of recurrent DKA (57%), rate of increased annual incidence of DKA admission (3.8 to 7.8 per 100,000 child-years), and DKA admission rate (1.64 admissions/patient) were found in the Northeast region. During the years 2015-2019, rising annual incidences of T1D and DKA admissions among Thai youth were observed. Individuals older than 6 years, being females, and resided in the Northeast region had higher risk for DKA hospitalization.

Weight bias internalization and its association with psychological distress and weight-related factors among youths in university, Thailand.

Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with poor weight-related health and psychological health problems in adults. However, less is known about WBI in Thai youths, and its associated factors are scarce. This study aimed to assess the association between psychological, weight-related factors, and WBI among Thai youths. A cross-sectional design was conducted on 1185 university youths from three universities in northeastern, Thailand from January to June 2023, with multistage sampling methods. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore factors that influence WBI. Most of the youth were female; with the average body mass index (BMI) was 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2. More than half (n = 628; 52.9%) of them reported a high level of WBI that was present across the weight spectrum. Approximately 41.4% (n = 490) reported being dissatisfied with their body image, and 50.6% (n = 600) had peers with obesity. WBI was positively related to depressive symptoms, perceived stress, the experience of weight stigma, BMI, and body image dissatisfaction. Conversely, it was negatively related to self-esteem and peers with obesity. WBI is influenced by several psychological and weight-related factors. Additionally, youths across body weight categories could be vulnerable to high WBI. Hence, consideration of these potential factors could be useful in designing targeted interventions to reduce WBI.

Combating cyberbullying in Thai youth: Learning innovation as a possible solution

Cyberbullying among Thai youths is one of crucial challenges. This study focused on what young people should know about cyberbullying and developed a learning innovation to combat cyberbullying. This research employed 7 steps of research and development from data collection to dissemination of innovation. The 122 participants included primary and lower secondary school students, their families, teachers, experts, and representatives from educational, law enforcement, relevant government, and public sectors. The findings indicate a learning innovation in the form of interactive game providing youngsters with how to combat cyberbullying. To get greater outcomes, teachers should facilitate self-directed learning for young learners.

Fandom in Action: Online Mobilisation of Thai Youth in the 2020-2021 Anti-Government Protests

The convergence of social media with political communication and the emergence of celebrity politics have significantly altered the landscape of political participation, particularly among the younger generation. Yet, comprehensive research on online political fandom remains limited despite its critical intersection with politics and digital media. This study addresses this gap, focusing on the in-depth case study of the 2020-2021 Thai anti-government protest. It scrutinises how tech-savvy Thai youth, propelled by political fandom surrounding Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a Future Forward Party opposition leader, harnessed social media and pre-existing online networks to organise these anti-government protests. Despite lacking a formal hierarchy, their organisational prowess, especially in information dissemination, highlights the intricate interplay of political fandom, social media, and youth mobilisation. By employing a trace interview method and conducting semi-structured interviews, the study explores how political fans transitioned from online engagement to active protest participation. The evidence contributes to a nuanced understanding of how fandom culture shapes their political judgment and behaviour. Participants in this study are political fans who publicly engage with politics on social media and participate in large-scale protests offline. They were recruited through a two-step process: first, the Twitter API identified users with high engagement in political fandom and anti-government hashtags. Then, a snowball sampling method extended the participant pool based on referrals from initial interviewees. A thematic analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts. The initial findings indicate that the influence of charismatic political figures, the empowerment of the fan community, and the belief that online political expression is ineffective draw participants toward offline participation. The resemblance between the political fandom of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and the more mainstream popular fandoms highlights the importance of considering the role of popular culture influences in shaping people’s political behaviours, particularly in contemporary digital communication technologies. In conclusion, this study aims to uncover the intricate relationship between political fandoms, social media, and offline activism and to emphasise the pervasive influence of popular culture on political behaviours in the digital age.

Gendered outcomes of parental migration on Thai youth’s transitions to adulthood: a longitudinal perspective

ABSTRACT The scale of migration has increased exponentially in recent decades in much of Southeast Asia. Emerging longitudinal evidence suggests lasting impacts of parental migration on their children’s education and well-being. However, little is known about how parental migration during childhood shapes youth's transition to adulthood. This study thus used two waves of survey data collected in 2008–2010 and 2019 from households (N = 872) in Thailand to assess 1) the long-term impacts of parental migration on young adults’ labour activities, marriage, and childbearing, and 2) how these impacts vary based on which parent(s) migrated and whether they are international or internal migrants. We found that maternal/biparental migration, compared with paternal migration, more significantly affected young people’s labour activities and age at marriage. Moreover, these effects appear to be more pronounced for males than females. Additionally, parental migration’s impacts on youths’ transitional outcomes vary by internal or international migration of their parents. These results highlight the gender-specific and context-dependent nature of the long-term implications of parental migration. This study thus provides new empirical evidence to advance the understanding of the diverse patterns of transitions among Asian youth in the context of parental migration.

Factors Influencing Social Media Platform Engagement among Thai Students: A Quantitative Study

This study delves into the complex landscape of social media utilization among undergraduate students in higher education institutions in Thailand, investigating the pivotal factors that shape their engagement with these platforms. Employing a quantitative research approach, the investigation utilizes a meticulously crafted multi-stage sampling methodology coupled with a robust data collection process. Through applying multi-correlation and multiple-regression analyses, the research unveils significant insights into the determinants of social media usage among Thai youth. Notably, motivation for social media use, access, creativity, and participation through these platforms emerge as substantive predictors. This aligns seamlessly with existing research, underscoring the critical roles played by motivation and accessibility in influencing online engagement. The resultant predictive equation is a pragmatic instrument for comprehending and forecasting social media engagement patterns among Thai undergraduate students. The findings underscore the importance of motivation, access, and creativity as driving forces behind social media utilization. This research equips educators, policymakers, and researchers with valuable insights, emphasizing the imperative of fostering responsible and effective use of social media within this demographic. The study's contribution to the academic landscape is noteworthy because it sheds light on unexplored facets such as cultural dynamics, peer networks, and individual traits, enriching our understanding of the intricate social media landscape among Thai undergraduate students. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-02-011 Full Text: PDF

A pilot program of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Thai youth.

There are gaps in knowledge and experience of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery in adolescents. This pilot study enrolled Thai adolescents 14-20 year-old without HIV who reported risk behaviour. All participants were offered daily tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) and followed for 24 weeks. HIV testing, renal function, bone density scan, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing including syphilis serology and urine molecular testing for gonorrhoea and C. trachomatis were performed at baseline and weeks 12 and 24. Adherence was evaluated through intracellular tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels in dried blood spots. Of the 61 enrolled adolescents, median age 18.1 (IQR: 14.8-20.9) years, 46 (75.4%) were males and 36 (59%) were MSM. Retention to week 24 was 80.3%. One third (36%) had TFV-DP levels consistent with taking ≥6 pills/week at week 12 and 29% at week 24. The factors associated with taking ≥6 pills/week were being MSM (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 53.2, 95% CI: 1.6-1811; p = 0.027), presence of STI at baseline (aOR: 9.4, 95% CI: 1.5-58.5; p = 0.016), and self-report of decreased condom use while taking PrEP (aOR: 8.7, 95% CI: 1.4-56.6; p = 0.023). 31% had an STI at baseline and this declined to 18% at week 24. No renal or bone toxicity was observed and there were no HIV seroconversions. Daily oral PrEP with FTC-TDF in high-risk Thai adolescents is feasible, accepted, well-tolerated, and had no increased risk compensation; however, low adherence was a major challenge. Adolescent-specific PrEP strategies including long-acting modalities are needed for successful HIV prevention.

The Material Heritage of “The Wild Boars Cave Rescue”—A Case-Study of Emotions and Sacralisation in Present-Day Thailand

This article addresses the making of heritage and the processes of sacralisation involved by investigating the heritage created after the rescue of the “Wild Boars”, a Thai youth football team, from a flooded cave in July 2018. The unfolding story of this “epic rescue operation” was followed with tremendous engagement, locally, nationally and worldwide, an example of what I capture as “high-density events”. Cave diver specialists and rescue equipment were flown in. Thousands of volunteers, mainly from Thailand but also from abroad, assisted. In Thailand, schools participated massively in nationwide Buddhist prayer sessions. Renowned holy monk Khruba Bunchum Yansangwaro directed his prayers to the boys and predicted they would be found alive. The massive involvement with the 18-days rescue operation generated a multiplicity of memes, photographs, books, documentaries, paintings, and statues. As religious and national heritage, this material lives on in various forms and exhibitions, including the cave, which was declared to become a “living museum” immediately upon the completion of the rescue. The analysis concerns three interrelated issues: First, I focus on the “instantaneous heritagization” of the event, asking: how to understand the processes that transform people, objects, and places into heritage overnight? Second, I bring in the role of emotions and moral imagination to shed light on the secular and religious sacralities produced and reproduced in the making of heritage. Third, I am interested in the impact of the heritage on the cave and its vicinity, bringing in issues of ownership and power over the event’s legacy.

Cyberbullying among Children and Youth in Thailand and Measures to Combat It

The incidence of cyberbullying among Thai youth has increased recently. Some situations may become severe and challenging to resolve. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to develop regulatory measures that protect young people from cyberbullying, with a focus on integrating collaboration throughout research and development (R&amp;D). Participating in the study were elementary and secondary school students, as well as their families, educators, and experts, in addition to a group of stakeholders from educational institutions, law enforcement departments, and relevant government and civil society organizations. The findings revealed that cyberbullying among children and young people is widespread and takes many different forms. The circumstances related to cyberbullying arise from a youth's lack of understanding of the consequences of bullying, as well as their familial background and social environment. The measures developed to protect youth from cyberbullying included regulatory measures for schools (developing teachers, encouraging students, gaining access to the family, surveillance, and caring) and legal measures (modernizing the law, promoting legal literacy, and protecting youth). Focus should be placed on all levels, including the policy and operational levels. While expanding the study's results, it should be implemented in an approach that integrates with routine duties and operates network-connectedly in order to prevent and solve problems continuously and sustainably.

From Bad Student to Transnational Activist: Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal and Transnational Activism in Northeast and Southeast Asia

Abstract This study explores and understands transnational activism in Asia, specifically focusing on the crucial role played by individuals, particularly Thai youth activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, in shaping and constructing transnational networks and relations. The study argues that the networks individuals establish with other transnational actors serve as the primary source of inspiration for other individuals to engage in transnational activism. These networks are rooted in everyday life interactions in the era of globalisation, with activism reflecting this embeddedness and interconnectedness. The case study of Netiwit demonstrates how connections between Thai activists and activists in Hong Kong and Taiwan stem from the increased mobility of individuals in the globalised world, facilitating physical interactions. By analysing this dynamic, the study aims to offer a more nuanced explanation of transnational activism, the movement of knowledge, and the concept of globalisation in Asia.

Thai Preschoolers' movement behaviors outside kindergarten: prevalence of meeting individual and integrated movement guidelines.

This study aimed to investigate movement behaviors of Thai preschoolers (aged 3-6 years) occurring outside kindergarten in urban areas across Thailand. Surveillance of digital Media in eArLy chiLdhood Questionnaire® was used to collect data from 1051 parents recruited from 12 schools. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were applied for data analysis. Thai preschoolers engaged in physical activity (PA), sedentary screen time, and sleep on weekends significantly more than weekdays with no significant sex differences. Preschoolers met the sleep guidelines the most (62.3%), followed by PA guidelines (48.0%), and screen time (ST) guidelines the least (44.1%). Only 14.6% met the integrated movement guidelines, and 11% met none of the guidelines. Age was positively associated with meeting the PA guidelines, and negatively associated with meeting the sleep and integrated movement guidelines. The number of digital devices at home and geographical region influenced preschoolers in meeting the PA and ST guidelines. Thai preschoolers' time spent on all forms of activities outside kindergarten was significantly more on weekends than weekdays with no sex disparity. The prevalence of meeting the integrated movement guidelines was low, and needs to be addressed through comprehensive programs including all forms of activities concurrently. Thai preschoolers engaged in physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep on weekends significantly more than weekdays with no significant sex differences. Only 14.6% of preschoolers met the integrated movement guidelines. Age had a significant relationship with meeting the PA, sleep, and integrated movement guidelines. Meeting the PA and ST guidelines in preschoolers was positively associated with the number of digital devices at home. Despite some limitations, this study presented preschoolers' time engaged in the three movement behaviors concurrently, and provided important inputs for development of the national strategic plan to promote PA among Thai children and youth.

Crafting Digital Micro-Storytelling for Smarter Thai Youth: A Novel Approach to Boost Digital Intelligent Quotient

Aim/Purpose: To conduct a needs assessment and subsequently create micro-storytelling media aimed at enhancing the Digital Intelligence Quotient (DQ) skills of young individuals. Background: In today's digital society, DQ has emerged as a vital skill that elevates individuals in all aspects of life, from daily living to education. To empower Thai youth, this study seeks to innovate DQ content by adapting it into a digital format known as micro-storytelling. This unique approach combines the art of storytelling with digital elements, creating engaging and effective micro-learning media Methodology: The methodology comprises three phases: 1) assessing the need for digital micro-storytelling development; 2) developing digital micro-storytelling; and 3) evaluating the DQ skills among young individuals. The sample group consisted of 55 higher education learners for needs assessment and 30 learners in the experiment group. Data analysis involves PNI modified, mean, and standard deviation. Contribution: This research contributes by addressing the urgent need for DQ skills in the digital era and by providing a practical solution in the form of digital micro-storytelling, tailored to the preferences and needs of Thai youth. It serves as a valuable resource for educators and policymakers seeking to empower young learners with essential digital competencies. Findings: The findings demonstrate three significant outcomes: 1) The learners wanted to organize their own learning experience with self-paced learning in a digital landscape, and they preferred digital media in the form of video. They were most interested in developing DQ to enhance their understanding of digital safety, digital security, and digital literacy; 2) according to a consensus of experts, digital micro-storytelling has the greatest degree of quality in terms of its development, content, and utilization, with an overall average of 4.86; and 3) the overall findings of the assessment of DQ skills indicate a favorable level of proficiency. Recommendations for Practitioners: Align materials with micro-learning principles, keeping content concise for effective knowledge retention. Empower students to personalize their digital learning and promote self-paced exploration based on their interests. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should continuously assess and update digital learning materials to align with the evolving digital landscape and the changing needs of students and investigate the long-term effects of DQ improvement, especially in terms of online safety and digital literacy in students' future lives and careers. Impact on Society: This study's impact on society is centered around fostering a DQ, promoting innovative educational approaches, and elevating Thai youth with essential digital skills. It contributes to a safer, more informed, and digitally literate generation prepared for the challenges of the digital era. Future Research: Undertake comparative studies to analyze the effectiveness of different digital learning formats and methodologies. Comparing micro-storytelling with other approaches can help identify the most efficient and engaging methods for enhancing DQ.

Outsider From Within, Insider From Without: Negotiating Researcher Positionality in Comparative Social Research

Researchers conducting fieldwork, especially in comparative social research, face the complex issue of conceptualizing and practicing positionality. How we position ourselves affects the research approach, the interpretation of the data and, therefore, the whole research process. This paper discusses my own in-between or ‘in-out-sider’ positionality during my fieldwork studying the experience of youths in social movements in Thailand and Myanmar in 2020 and 2021. Drawing on data from a visit to Thailand and interviews with 40 Myanmar and Thai youths who participated in the movements, this article documents my experience of the subtle nuances of multiple positionalities and how I navigated through the fieldwork as an in-out-sider researcher. In this comparative context, especially, I believe that my in-out-sider positionality facilitated the research process, from interviewing participants to conducting the field visit. The discussion of this contextually situated positionality challenges the typical explanations of the insider/outsider dichotomy, suggesting the need for a rethinking of certain aspects of this explanation, such as the background and experience of the researcher, and the context in which the researcher and the researched interact. This paper therefore contributes to knowledge around this subject and its application, particularly in the context of comparative social research which studies specific groups of youth activists or protestors.

Chronic Conditions and Resilience: Adolescent Health Behaviors in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand.

Objective. To assess the impact of chronic illnesses on risk behaviors and psychosocial adjustments among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2021 and September 2022, including adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. Participants completed the Thai Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression. Results. Adolescents with chronic illnesses (n = 120) were more likely to exhibit risk behaviors related to violence (38.3%) and mental health issues (18.3%). They also scored higher on total difficulties (mean = 12.23, SD = 5.14) and emotional symptoms (mean = 3.08, SD = 2.45) than the healthy group (n = 120). Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents with chronic illnesses in Thailand demonstrated increased risk behaviors related to violence and mental health issues, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.

Siblings, comrades, friends: Kin(g)ship, hierarchy, and equality in Thailand’s youth struggle for democracy

AbstractThis article provides an innovative anthropological analysis of youth activism in contemporary Thailand by examining its past and current manifestations through an unusual theoretical nexus—that between (cosmological) politics and kinship tropes. Against the backdrop of the Buddhist kingdom’s long-standing cult of the ‘Father-King’, the article focuses on the 2020 Thai democracy movement in relation to student demonstrations in the 1970s. It aims to explore the ambiguous permutations in the meanings of kinship that have marked Thai young people’s democratic engagement in a range of social fields—including friendship, siblinghood, and comradeship. Drawing upon archival material, oral histories of student revolts, and extended ethnography with today’s youth activists in a number of political sites—anti-government rallies, universities, and private homes—the article reveals how kin relationships, hierarchies, and affects are entangled in diverse political formations of youth dissent. Through a detailed reading of these complex entanglements, it shows how relationships of ‘equal friendship’ and ‘hierarchical siblinghood’ substantiate the symbolic grounds of Thai youth activism, as conflicting instantiations of ‘filial insubordination’ to monarchical parenthood. While youth activists advocate for an egalitarian, ‘friendship-based’ polity, explicitly questioning the democratic viability of Thailand’s Buddhist kin(g)ship, they are simultaneously caught up in (seemingly inescapable) hierarchical sibling relationships that validate the latter’s ontological legitimacy in practice, generating subtle tensions. It is argued that attention given to the varied cultural shapes of these tensions can make it possible to unearth the deep, kinship-based core of Thai social conflict that is concealed beneath public forms and straightforward political stances.

The network origin of Thailand’s youth movement

ABSTRACT Thailand appeared to be under a tide of youthful revolutionary change. In 2020, in a rare moment in Thai history, university and secondary school students, particularly female and LGBTQ + schoolchildren, took the lead in national protests against an autocratic government. It was a period during which the seemingly impossible, such as the reform of Thailand’s royal institutions, appeared possible. What were the historical origins of the country’s revolutionary youth movement? This article argues that the Thai youth movement emerged from youth activist networks fostered by post-coup political entrepreneurs. It describes the foundational moments of these networks and analyses their inside brokerage processes, i.e. how these political entrepreneurs cultivated friendships and ties among segregated young activists by creating unique spaces – campsites and activist houses. These underground spaces allowed activists to connect, learn, brainstorm, organize mobilization, and build cross-issue and cross-regional activist ties under an autocratic regime.