The perspectives of the Thai Song Dam ethnic group towards external agencies that play a role in the development and promotion of ethnic identity : A case study of the Thai Song Dam ethnic group, Khao Yoi district, Phetchaburi province

Abstract

          This research aims to 1) study the role of external agencies in the development and promotion of the Thai Song Dam ethnic identity in Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province, and 2) study the perspectives of the Thai Song Dam ethnic group in Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province towards external agencies that play a role in the development and promotion of their ethnic identity. This qualitative research collects data from documents, articles, and related research from various sources, and through in-depth interviews with seven key informants, namely, Khao Yoi Subdistrict Municipality Officer, Head of the Thai Song Dam society, an elderly person or a local wisdom scholar, and Thai Song Dam ethnic experts, and then employs triangulation to verify the collected data.

          The results of the research are as follows: 1) the main external agency that plays a role in developing and promoting Thai Song Dam ethnic identity in Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province is Khao Yoi Subdistrict Municipality, that organizes a number of activities and projects in collaboration with the Thai Song Dam ethnic group, and 2) the perspectives of the Thai Song Dam ethnic group towards external agencies that play a role in the development and promotion of their ethnic identity in Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province are divided into two perspectives; firstly, the Thai Song Dam ethnic group admits that the role of external agencies in the development and promotion of the Thai Song Dam ethnic identity is appropriate, and such a role does not affect the way of life and ethnic practices of the Thai Song Dam ethnic group; and secondly, the Thai Song Dam ethnic group agrees that the role of external agencies in developing and promoting the Thai Song Dam ethnic identity is considered as a preservation of the Thai Song Dam cultural identity, and a promotion of general public’s recognition of the Thai Song Dam ethnicity and its cultural identity. However, the needs of the Thai Song Dam ethnic group can be met through numerous activities conducted by relevant agencies to support, develop and revive both the reading and the writing of the fading Thai Song Dam language.