Surname for Thai-ization among Highland Ethnic Groups

Abstract

This article argues that the social processes, such as the surname system and civil registration procedures, that exclude and marginalize ethnic groups, are essentially mechanisms of Thailand’s mainstream culture and the government’s policy of Thai-ization among highland ethnic groups. This article investigates the origin and historical development of the surname system in Thai society. It was intentionally utilized as means for Thai nationalist construction and the integration of other ethnic groups to become Thai. Case studies of highland ethnic groups in Northern Thailand are focused on. In addition, the article points out that social and cultural problems and conflicts have occurred both during the procedures and after kinship groups of highland ethnic peoples have adopted different Thai surnames.