Nationalism is a Bad Fit for Thailand

Country that has thrived because of its openness should resist temptation to turn inward

Of all the countries seemingly turning inward to cope with the doldrums besetting the globe, Thailand, in the opinion of this writer, is one that will not benefit from such a strategy. It could even find itself at a loss by seeking to counter turmoil with nationalistic fervour.

The spark for this piece was this week’s news that Thailand’s school curriculum is being revised to place greater focus on Thai language, civic studies and Thai history, including increased support for Thai students in international schools to learn their mother-tongue.

The adjustments are being made by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, currently led by Yodchanan Wongsawat, who said the changes are intended to “increase depth and meaning” in the curriculum.

Importantly, he explained the purpose of the revamp is for students to better connect with their roots, as “citizens who understand the roots of the nation can more effectively help to develop it”.

In all fairness, the proposed alterations to the curriculum are unlikely to stir an overzealous swelling of national pride in the coming generation — or lead to a new wave of xenophobia. That is if the changes take place at all.

However, taken with other recent developments in Thailand, like the halving of the visa-free policy, the uptick in anti-Cambodian rhetoric presented as necessary amid the simmering border conflict, and a call by the prime minister to crack down on “unruly” foreigners, the country might be showing the first signs of a sharper turn towards nationalism.

Considering how open and accepting Thailand has been for most of recent history, there might be those that argue some level of nationalism might be useful here, but in the view of this writer, the country would be doing itself a disservice to follow the present trend towards becoming inward-facing.

First and foremost, nationalism seems impractical for a country that thrives on being a nexus within the Southeast Asian region. Thailand’s historical role as a crossroads for people and cultures has helped shape its identity and actually contributed to its social stability rather than impaired it.

As a country situated between many other cultural and economic spheres, Thailand has benefitted from openness and interaction with its neighbours and the wider world. A strongly nationalist approach would undermine the exchanges and cooperation that have led Thailand to becoming the country it is today.

In the matter of economics, Thailand has for decades reaped the rewards of being one of Southeast Asia’s most internationally connected economies.

Thailand’s modern economic strength was not built behind walls. It was built through trade, tourism, foreign investment and participation in regional and global supply chains. Impeding any of these avenues, whether through policy or social resistance, would surely manifest a greater degree of harm than good for the nation.

Close study of Thai history, whether ancient or recent, would actually reveal that its progress as a country and people has always been tied to an embrace of the foreign.

From adopting the beliefs and arts of India to the diligence of China and the modernity of the West, the greatest strength of Thailand is its cultural flexibility and capacity for taking in what the world has to offer.

National pride has its role, but within the Thai context, to truly look inward would be to acknowledge the country is at its best when it is gazing outward with a confident humility that welcomes the peoples and ideas that would foster a brighter future.