The Contemporary Chinese Community In Thailand And Indonesia Is A Comparative Study

This dissertation is to study development and difference of the Chinese community in Thailand and Indonesia at the angle of racial science. This study breaks down to 8 chapters; Chapter 1 presents the issue, research scope, research status and research method of this study; Chapter 2 explains geographical, environmental, historical and cultural background of Thailand and Indonesia; Chapter 3 analyzes the formation of the Chinese community in Thailand and Indonesia before the Opium War; Chapter 4 clarifies the development of the Chinese community in Thailand and Indonesia for a period between the Opium War and World War II; Chapter 5 depicts political behaviors of the Chinese in Thailand and Indonesia; Chapter 6 discusses economic activities of the Chinese in Thailand and Indonesia; Chapter 7 discusses cultural contact, adaptation and vicissitude of Chinese culture in Thailand and Indonesia; Chapter 8 presents the conclusion of this study and the issues to be discussed continuously.Comparing the Chinese communities of Thailand and Indonesia with each other, we can see that the Chinese in both countries have implanted the production, way of living, social organization principles, cultural tradition etc. of their forefathers' land to the immigrant land, organizing social, economic growth of the Chinese of the two countries and showing a lot of common features; e.g. intense racial notion, ancestor worship, folk beliefs etc. The difference in political, economic, social and cultural backgrounds of the two countries has brought about the difference in the route of the Chinese growth in the two countries. The difference in religion and belief has brought about the difference in social, cultural systems and notion of value. The difference in Western colonialists' ruling history has produced various differences in the Chinese community such as difference in social structure, politics and culture, change in international situation, difference of international relationship of China with Thailand and Indonesia etc. Therefore, the Chinese communities with the common features of history and culture show difference in growth history and situational expression in both countries. To speak an immigrant group of the same origin, its identification in terms of social development, cultural vicissitude, and race can't be separated from the history, culture, politics, economy and social living of the residing country.As for the Chinese community in Thailand and Indonesia, some other important elements have caused some reactions. First of all, Thailand has never been ruled by the Colonialists over the history while Indonesia has been ruled by Holland. Some 300 years' colonialist's rule over Indonesia has made a significant effect on the relationship between Chinese and the natives. During a long Dutch rule, the Dutch colonialists intentionally employed "divide and then rule" policy, and dispersed unity of the ruled races. They classified people into 3 grades; the first class is Westerners including Dutch; the 2nd class is Oriental foreign residents (almost all are Chinese); and the 3rd class is natives. The rights they could enjoy are different. Such policy has made the Chinese recognize Dutch force, and alienated from natives. Theposition of Chinese was a little higher than that of natives. An average economic level of Chinese was also higher than that of natives, and in the eyes of natives, Chinese belonged to the exploiting class, and brought some natives' grudge. Next, the function of religion and belief and the social value established are particularly important. Thais believe in Buddhism while most Indonesians believe in Islamism. Buddhism is comparatively tolerant while Islamism is exclusive. As Chinese believe in Buddhism, Chinese in Thailand have no great obstacle in terms of beliefs, and comparatively easily melt into the mainstream society of Thailand. On the contrary, due to difference of beliefs, Chinese in Indonesia has difficulties in melting into the mainstream society of the land. Third, the two governments...