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Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Ethnic Groups Research Database |
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Record |
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Subject |
Mon, displaced people, change, Kanchanaburi |
Author |
Sujaritlak Deepadung |
Title |
A research report on the Mon community at Wang Ka Village, Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province: Background and changes |
Document Type |
Research Paper |
Original Language of Text |
Thai |
Ethnic Identity |
Mon,
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Language and Linguistic Affiliations |
Austroasiatic |
Location of
Documents |
Sirindhorn Anthropology Center Library |
Total Pages |
141 |
Year |
2002 |
Source |
Office of the National Research Council |
Abstract |
The Mons at Wang Ka Village migrated into the area in 1947 due to political instability in Burma. They have been given the status of displaced people of Burmese nationality and some are classified as illegal immigrants. They are all devoted Buddhists with the Venerable Utama of Wang Wiwekaram Temple as their spiritual mentor. Due to their status, they cannot have Thai identification cards even though many were born in Thailand with Thai language skills as good as other Thais. The report recommends that related laws and regulations be revised to define a suitable status for these people. Local state officials should not exploit these people and they should be provided with an opportunity for higher education. The government should pressure the Burmese regime to seriously solve its internal problems in order to stop refugee influx. Furthermore, the ethnic group has been threatened culturally by Thai mass media and education. Tourism is another threat. To preserve their culture, cultural tourism should be introduced. More importantly, these people should be provided with a consciousness of their ethnic identity and wisdom as well as readiness for change.
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