The Status of Knowledge about Thai Border Studies among Thai Academics from 1992 to 2022

Abstract

The objectives of this research article are (1) to review status of knowledge about Thai Border studies among Thai academics from 1992-2022 and (2) to analyze the correlation between body of knowledge about Thai Border studies and development of international and/or domestic security and political economy contexts. The research methodology and method applied in this study is qualitative content analysis by documentary research and descriptive analysis that the findings analyzed with concepts from the literature review. The researcher synthesizes the conceptual framework from the concept of Borderland with international relations context and concept of Border Governance. Furthermore, the researcher reveals the data by managing data into basic statistic information. This research article reflects that many issues about Thai Border studies among Thai academics can be categorized into political dimension, economics, and also socio-cultural dimension. The academic literature in each border between Thailand and its neighboring countries show different emphasis. However, Thai foreign policy and also domestic policy about borderland in 1990s trend to promote economic activities and cooperation. There are different details in each dimension especially political, security, and socio-cultural dimension depends on the characteristics and the context of each border area in each period. The researcher considers that this research article could be useful fundamental knowledge and information for both academic and pragmatic fields in order to find out the ways or some development plans for Thai borderland which align with the specific contexts and requirements of each border area.