The Communication of Kumanthong Sacredness in Thai Society

Abstract

The communicative sacredness of Kumanthong in Thailand is a phenomenon of belief in Kumanthong in Thai society, which reflects the transformation in perspective and the point of view among Thais from a religion-centered holiness to the economy-driven secular world. The objective of this research was aimed to examine the change in meaning of the sacredness of Kumanthong. In the perspective of both traditional and new mystics, and the perception of the meaning pf the sacredness of Kumanthong in the perspective of both traditional and new Kumanthong worshippers. In addition, to pinpoint the role of media where the secular world is central to conceptualize a sacredness of Kumanthong, in this study, the signs and the conceptualization of the sacredness of Kumanthong by the media were investigated.
The results showed that conceptualization of the sacredness of Kumanthong according to the perspective of traditional and new mystics varied depending on the mystic’s point of view about the sacredness and secular world. The traditional mystics focused on inner sacredness while the new mystics focused on outer sacredness. The traditional worshippers focused on inner sacredness while the new worshippers focused on outer sacredness. In addition, the media focused on the sacredness of Kumanthong differently. Television drama and film focused on inner sacredness while the magazine focused on outer sacredness.