Worldviews and Complex Citizenship from below among Cross-border Families in Thai-Lao Border Community Worldviews and Complex Citizenship from below among Cross-border Families in Thai-Lao Border Community
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Abstract
This article aims to explore the worldviews of cross-border families in the Thai-Lao border community towards the construction of a complex citizenship from below in order to negotiate with single citizenship of a law-based nation-state. This research applied a qualitative methodology with phenomenological approach. Data were collected from April 2019 to March 2020 through in-depth interviews and observations with 50 informants: cross-border family members, community leaders, state officials, non-government organization’s staff in a border community in Natan district, Ubon Ratchathani province. The results show the developmental periods of cross-border families and patterns of marriage. Also, all these cross-border marriages are not registered under Thai and Lao law, thus at least one member in a cross-border family is not eligible for legal citizenship. Lacking right and power, they have to construct their citizenship from below to negotiate with citizenship prescribed by the nation-state through the practices of bi-local living in both Thailand and Laos, with the perception that they are the people of both countries, the children of Prachao Yai Ong Tue and loyalty to the Thai monarchy. They wish for their families to gain access to resources, right, and social welfare to establish stability and reduce risks. Such practices take place under the context of open nation-state border and the world connected by globalization. This study suggests that Thai and Laos PDR states should has supportive policies for cross-border families. Such policies should take into consideration the context, livelihood and social world of local people in the Thai-Laos border community.
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Interviews
Dam. (Pseudonym). Cross-border family member. Interview. July 1, 2019.
Ki. (Pseudonym). Cross-border family member. Interview. January 10, 2020.
Phon. (Pseudonym). Cross-border family member. Interview. March 20, 2020.
Thong. (Pseudonym). Cross-border family member. Interview. June 17, 2019.
