A Study Of Thai People's Views Of China And Their Effect Factors

The relationship between Thailand and China has been established long time ago,I have analyzed events that happened from the past up to the present and categorized the factors that affect the disposition from Thais towards China.The four categories are:political factors,economical factors,cultural factors,and overseas Chinese factors.Political factors.While Thailand was still under absolute monarchy system,the Chinese people were viewed as non-Thai.When the political system has changed to constitutional monarchy,the view of Chinese people being a threat to Thailand's political system hasn't faded away yet but is emphasized by the issuing of policies that limit liberties of Chinese people in Thailand,many Thai military coups justified their cause by claiming they eliminate threats of communism.Therefore,the images that Thai people viewed the China from political aspects is on the negative side,even in the recent decades whoever disagrees of Thai government system may still be branded as conmmunists.Economical factors.The state tribute relationship between the Thai and Chinese have been viewed by Thais as long well established and could relate to the situation in present days,as China's economy has grown much and fast,along with the numbers of Chinese tourists in Thailand has skyrocketed which makes Thailand realize the importance of trading with China.There have been many collaborations happened around the fruition of this relationship.However,even though Thailand realized this importance,Thai business people are still very cautious about frauds and dishonesty from Chinese business people,the disorganization of Chinese society and distrust of Chinese-made product quality.Therefore,the economical factor has a significant contribution to the negative feelings from Thai towards China.Cultural factors.Part of Chinese culture has been assimilated into Thai culture which shows that Thai people has been accepting Chinese culture,and in nowadays there is support of Chinese culture by Confucius Institutes within various Thai university campuses.Very strong support comes from the Thai royal family,which played a significant role in providing space for Chinese culture in Thailand.Besides,there are media that helps promoting Chinese culture.But in recent days,internet has increased its popularity and significance as a source of information,which astonishingly does not portray positive images of Chinese people,also films and TV do not portray the modern image of Chinese people.Which all lead to misunderstanding of modern Chinese manners and customs.Overseas Chinese factors.Thailand has a large population of overseas Chinese,they established an image on both economical and social aspects.Thai people have viewed these overseas Chinese in the economical aspect as they are proficient in the arts of trade,high diligence,hard-working,frugal,and realized that overseas Chinese people are the important driving force in Thai economy.They have built the foundation for overseas Chinese to hold careers in the Thai government and establish a solid financial foundation.On the social side,during the reign of King Rama ? to Rama V,the Association of Overseas Chinese has created some turmoil but all were suppressed by Thai officials,but with the goals of Thais to help them to establish a new life,the overseas Chinese decided not to cause any turmoil but to become more cooperating afterwards as a repayment,which has imprinted to the Thai people that overseas Chinese people are benevolent,kindhearted,and are grateful for the Kingdom.It is shown that those four factors have influenced Thai people's perception towards the Chinese in both positive and negative ways;accept,as if relatives,contracdition and prejudice.From above a result we can know what the effect can support Thai-China relation,and what the effect can obstructed.Let we understand the phenomenon about Thai-China relation.