Generational Shifts Define Evolving Sino-Thai Identity, New study Finds
Singapore – A new study from the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute reveals how Sino-Thai identity in Thailand is being reshaped across generations, moving from assimilation and cultural loss among the Baby Boomer generation to critical reinterpretation and contestation among Gen Z. The research, detailed in ISEAS Perspective 2025/69, “Sino-Thai Identity in Contemporary Thai Literature: Generational Divides and continuity,” by Kornphanat Tungkeunkunt, analyzes depictions of this identity evolution within recent Thai literature.
The study identifies a distinct generational trajectory. The Baby Boomer experience, as portrayed in Letters from Thailand, is characterized by assimilation and a sense of cultural loss imposed by state policies. Generation X-Y, featured in Through the Dragon Pattern, leveraged economic prosperity to create a confident hybrid identity, successfully integrating heritage with mainstream Thai society. Tho, Generation Z’s narrative, exemplified in Family Comes first, demonstrates a significant shift towards critical reassessment, fueled by economic precarity and evolving values like individualism and gender equality that challenge customary norms.
Tungkeunkunt’s analysis demonstrates that Sino-thai identity isn’t static, but a “dynamic continuum” vividly illustrated through contemporary Thai novels. This evolving identity is shaped by both economic forces and shifting cultural values, highlighting a complex interplay between heritage and modernity within the Sino-Thai community. The research underscores the importance of understanding thes generational differences to grasp the nuances of contemporary Thai society and the ongoing negotiation of cultural identity.
ENDNOTES
for endnotes, please refer to the original pdf document: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ISEAS_Perspective_2025_69.pdf
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