Abstract

This essay examines the construction of minorities in Thailand, questioning its naturalness, both theoretically and practically. Investigating the plight of Malay Muslim minorities in Thailand’s far south can show how minorities are central to the construction of state power in Thailand. This article argues that Siam’s annexation of the Sultanate of Patani requires a revision that brings its Malay Muslim subjects centrally and integrally into the history of modern Thailand. Indeed, given the Kingdom’s propensity to use the trope of fragility to manufacture unity and patriotism, the Malay Muslims are in fact not at the margins but one of the key problematics for Thai nationalism, one that provides a pretext for the continuing exercise of state power and violence in Thailand’s far south. The Malay Muslims in Thailand’s far south are led to ask themselves whether they can be Thai enough.

摘要

本文考察了泰国少数民族的建构，从理论上和实践上质疑其自然性。调查泰国最南端的马来穆斯林少数民族的困境，可以表明少数民族是如何在泰国国家权力建设中发挥核心作用的。本文认为，暹罗对北大年苏丹国的吞并需要进行修订，将其马来穆斯林臣民集中且完整地纳入现代泰国的历史。事实上，鉴于王国倾向于使用脆弱的比喻来制造团结和爱国主义，马来穆斯林实际上并不处于边缘，而是泰国民族主义的主要问题之一，为继续行使国家权力提供了借口以及泰国最南端的暴力事件。