Thailand’s Education Policies on Multiculturalism

• In Event: Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Emerging Lines of Inquiry on Asian and Asian American Populations

Abstract

Using qualitative research methods of interviewing, observation, document examination and a focus group, this research examined Thailand’s educational policies relating to multiculturalism. Data are drawn from the study conducted between 2010 and 2012. The results show that, compared to the past, the current educational polices of Thailand concerned more about the diverse cultures of students; rights to access public schools are granted to all students, the use of mother tongues is allowed in schools, and schools now have autonomy to choose rules that are culturally responsive. Although superficial, contents of the textbooks reflected the awareness of multiculturalism. Nevertheless, except for Muslims in the south whose cultural politics are strong, curriculum and instruction are still taught from the mainstream perspectives.

Author

• Thithimadee Arphattananon, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, Mahidol University