The Vietnamese Diaspora in Udon Thani Province, Thailand: Their Multiple Roles in Peace and Conflict
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Abstract
This article examines the evolving roles of the Vietnamese diaspora (Viet Kieu) in Thailand in shaping conflict and post-conflict peacebuilding in Vietnam, as well as their influence on diplomatic relations between Thailand, the host country, and Vietnam, the home country, from the 1940s to the present. Despite its significance, this topic has received limited attention in diaspora studies. Employing transnational and peace and conflict approaches, the study analyzes the behavior of Viet Kieu amid global, regional, and national contextual shifts. Qualitative data were collected in Udon Thani province, northeast Thailand, through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. Key findings reveal that before the 1990s, the Vietnamese community in northeast Thailand supported Vietnam’s national liberation struggle while navigating Thai authorities’ suspicion. Since the 1990s, they have made significant contributions to peacebuilding in Vietnam and strengthened diplomatic ties between Thailand and Vietnam. These insights enhance the theoretical understanding of diaspora roles in host-home country dynamics.
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Ms. An. (Pseudonym). (2020, February 15 and 2024, January 10). Interview. Viet Kieu teacher in Udon Thani province.
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Ms. Thy. (Pseudonym). (2020, July 15). Interview. Viet Kieu member.
