When traveling to the Shan, the ethnicity is similar

Abstract

This article aims to present an exploration of areas where the Shan (Tai Yai) people have settled, allowing for an experience of the close cultural affinity between the Shan ethnic group and Thai society. One of the first noticeable features is the ease of communication, as the Shan language belongs to the Tai language family and shares similarities with Northern Thai (Kham Mueang). In addition, the Shan people commonly establish their communities near temples, as temples serve as the spiritual and cultural centers of their society. Consequently, Buddhism plays a significant role in shaping the social structure and value system of the community.
Regarding the critical discussion, the author offers a synthesized viewpoint in three main aspects as follows: 1) Culture under the framework of the modern nation-state is incorporated into the organization of power and the definition of state identity, being regulated through political and social structures. 2) The differences in Shan identity between Shan State and Thailand are products of identity construction processes framed by the notions of “core citizens” and “ethnic minorities,” resulting in negotiated and context-dependent identities and 3) The relationship between religion and ethnicity at the level of social power structures reflects the role of Buddhism as a mechanism that sustains ethnic identity, while simultaneously functioning as an instrument for social organization and regulation.