This investigation utilized a mixed-method approach which included formal and informal interviews, in-depth interviews, participatory and non-participatory observations, a questionnaire, and documentary research.
The study results revealed that state policies toward theKoumintangYunnanese Chinese were developed in simultaneity with Koumintangmilitary activities in Thailand as members of a social task force in charge of protecting the sovereignty and stability of the country as well as fighting Communism in the country. One result of their actions was that the military and Yunnanese were given a special privilege of self-rule and to maintain their ethnic conventional traditions and culture for decades until the early 1980s, when the military’s roles and importance in protecting the country’s sovereignty were diminished. The government then started to implement the integration policy with the Yunnanese.
One result of the policy since mid-1980s, especially the compulsory education in Thai schools, was that the Yunnanese community had changed their external image by being more familiar with Thai culture and able to communicate in Thai. Nevertheless, they still regarded themselves as Yunnanese. However, the levels of their understanding about being Yunnanese differed considerably from generation to generation.
Under the assimilation context, what made them to maintain their cultural identity was strong maintenance of their culture in their community, especially the Chinese school that emphasized and valued cultural preservation and transfer as well as promotion of their children to study in the school. Besides economic advantages, the Chinese school played a crucial role in transferring and promoting the ethnic cultural prestige, which was important guidelines and strategies in existing in the Thai society as a minority group in the country.
From adhering to the value and faith in the Chinese school regardless of being cultural or economic reasons, the Yunnanese community was able to maintain their cultural group, and, at the same time, to learn and adapt to the trend of being Thai.