Education as a Means for National Integration: Historical and Comparative Study of Chinese and Muslim Assimilation in Thailand (Minorities, Ethnicity).

Abstract

The general objectives of this study were: (1) to study the historical and political development of the Chinese and Muslim ethnic groups in Thailand ; (2) to study central government efforts to "solve" ethnicity problems there (successes and failures due to implementation of these policies were investigated and compared between the two ethnic groups); and (3) to examine educational programs prescribed by the central government for ethnic minorities. To these ends, traditional historiographical methods were combined with field observations and interviews. A review was made of literature on educational policy-making and cultural assimilation and of other pertinent primary and secondary documents in order to provide perspective that would aid understanding of the government policies on assimilation. Compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand is quite a homogeneous society. More than 80 percent of her population are of the same ethnic race. There are, however, a few ethnic minorities of which the most significant ones are the Chinese and the Malays. It is the policy of the Thai government to bring about complete assimilation of all people regardless of their racial or cultural background. For this reason, education has been used as an instrument for integration of the minority groups into Thai society. The study revealed many ways since the 1960s in which Chinese-Thai social relations have improved and assimilation has gained momentum. On the other hand, it showed how the Malays have strived to maintain their religious, linguistic, and cultural identity and have resisted policies and administrative practices intended to foster assimilation into the broader Thai society. The major conclusions were: (1) the Thai government has required minorities to be able to speak Thai and has pressed them to be loyal to Thailand; and (2) forming and carrying out educational policies for these two minority groups has been greatly affected by political influences, which also bear upon issues of national security. Some selected recommendations were the following. In order to succeed in its policies toward each minority group, the government has had to be flexible, to compromise, and to operate toward integration rather than total assimilation. The government should improve education by affording the southerners ample opportunities to be educated at all levels.