New Social Movement for Plastic Straw Free Campaign

Abstract

This article aims to study the social movement for plastic straw free campaign in Thailand and abroad according to the new social movement paradigm. Plastic straw is currently a worldwide problem which needs an effective solution. Thus, there have been social movements to tackle this problem. The findings show that the social movements for plastic straw free campaign both in foreign countries and Thailand share the same goal in increasing awareness on the problem of using plastic straw and raising consciousness of banning the use of plastic straws. Although some may argue about the right of the disables who have to rely on the use of straws and the shifts of burden to consumers, these arguments do not lead to violent conflicts in the society. When it comes to plastic straw free campaigns and the new social movement, it was found that the new social movement is characterized by (1) Its focus on symbolic action in civil society (2) A social classless movement (3) Its focus on life quality development with post-materialism value (4) A movement in which people have autonomy and self-determination (5) Its emphasis on building social networks