Struggle of Karenni in Phetchaburi for Community Right under Thai State Context

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) investigate the Thai nation-state in different contexts, including history, economic, and socio-cultural aspects in terms of the struggle of Karen in Phetchaburi, 2524 BC. – 2561 BC. Next (2), to explore the struggle of Karen against the laws, community rights, and identical culture. This study is qualitative research, and the data are collected using important documents, observation, in-depth interviews with key persons, and a group of 30 informants. The findings are as follows: (1) Regarding the contexts of the Thai nation-state in history, economic and socio-culture aspects through the struggle of the Karen, the Thai nation-state employed monopolistic centralization with Karen through four capitals, including physical capital, economic capital, informative capital, and symbolic capital. However, Karen people were capable of adapting to such circumstances, and the Thai nation-state gave them the opportunities to call for. Moreover, researchers found, (2) their struggle for indemnity was successful regarding the struggle of Karen against laws, community rights, and identical culture to create identity in the context of the Thai nation-state. Such a successful struggle was under pressure from the key mainstays, including Grandpa Kor-Ie, spiritual leader master Pod, and Billy, contributing to mobilizing the resources for their struggle. Once such resources were sufficient and the political opportunity structure was matured, Karen sued national park officials with full support from many different organizations. Moreover, the loss of Billy led them to struggle against community rights. Struggling against culture was also successful, and the Karen community has become a cultural tourist attraction and a significant landmark in Kang Krachan, Phetchaburi.