Thai is a culturally and ethnically loaded label; this is because the different regions of

Thailand actually have unique histories, languages, and cultures including Lao, Malay, and
Khmer (Jory, 2000). There are four major regions in Thailand: Northern, Northeastern, Central,
and Southern. Although these regions experience linguistic and cultural diversity, Thailand has
come to be seen as being a culturally uniform country. This is primarily due to governmental
policy favoring assimilation. However, Figure 1, by the Harvard Institute for Economic
Research, shows that the reality is that Thailand is more ethnically diverse.

Figure 1.
Efforts to renew and preserve the nations cultural diversity lie within the education
system. For example, the Chinese language is being reintroduced into Thailand's schools and
universities after a long period of official discouragement and lack of interest (Jory, 2000).
Thailand is unique because unlike other multi-ethnic nations where official language policy has
sparked bloody clashes, Thailand has maintained stability and unity through an elaborate social
and linguistic hierarchy (Smalley,). This is a feet because as Figure 2 demonstrates, 26-50% of

the population speaks something other than Thai at home.

Figure 2.
Pop culture has also played a significant role in the renewal and preservation process,
particularly because the control of cultural production has shifted from the state to private
operators. Todays popular Thai music has its roots in traditional folk music styles, and actors in
Thai television dramas have begun speaking their own dialect, an act which once was perceived
as a sign of unsophistication and low status (Jory, 2000). Thailand pop culture also demonstrates
the hardships (like giving up a Chinese name for a Thai one) and successes of ethnic Chinese
through soap operas.

The most prominent change in Thailands cultural diversity is evident in individuals selfidentification and pride in the culture of their region. In the past when Northeastern Thailand
experienced social discrimination, Lao was a derogatory ethnic label, but now the people wear
the term with pride. Cultural diversity no longer poses a threat to national unity and security like
it did in the Cold War Era. This gives people the chance to be open about the cultures they
affiliate with.

Citations:
Jory, P. (2000). Multiculturism in Thailand? Cultural and Regional Resurgence in a Diverse
Kingdom. Harvard Asia Pacific Review, 4(1). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hapr/winter00_millenium/Thailand.html
Fisher, M. (2013, May 16). A revealing map of the worlds most and least ethnically diverse
countries. The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/16/arevealing-map-of-

the-worlds-most-and-least-ethnically-diverse-countries/

Smalley, W. (1994). Linguistic diversity and national unity: Language ecology in Thailand
(p. 452). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Language and Our World. (2011, January 24). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from
http://www.travelgogirl.com/blog/2011/01/24/language-and-our-world/