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Amid political polarization, knowledge and understanding of Thailand’s history have also diverged radically. This divide is especially evident between younger and older generations.

Driving this phenomenon is the growing rejection by students of the traditional history taught in public schools, which in the past had been a means for the Thai state to instil in the young a sense of nationalism, national pride and shared values. Poor pedagogy that emphasizes memorization, and that discourages discussions and critical thinking, has alienated many from the subject. Education professionals and student activists have also been critical of this development.

Moreover, the democratization of information and the availability of alternative sources of historical knowledge have allowed young people to learn about history in ways that challenge the traditional narratives taught in classrooms. The alternative sources include social media, websites by historians and enthusiasts, as well as books printed by independent publishers.

Young people have also begun to engage with history in new ways. They have organized themselves to commemorate aspects of history overlooked in school textbooks and have used history to legitimize their political activism.

This diverging understanding and engagement with history has two main consequences. First, political polarization can deepen, with different sides utilizing their versions of history as legitimization for their political views. Second, it will be harder for the Thai state to instil communal values and a basic understanding of the nation among young people, which can have implications for the building of a shared Thai identity in the future.
Panarat Anamwathana is a Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. She is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University, Thailand.

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Generational Divides in Understanding Thailand’s History Grow Amid Political Polarization