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Generation
“Generation” in this book signifies the replacement of one population by their offspring. The first generation overseas Chinese refers to the generation that moved from China, and the second generation is the child of the first generation. The third generation is the first generation’s grandchild and the fourth generation is the great-grandchild. However, if a family moves back and forth between China and Thailand, the great-grandchildren of the first generation will not be categorized as a fourth generation. The fourth generation in this book refers to families who have lived in Thailand for four consecutive generations.
Complete assimilation of the fourth generation occurs for most immigrants unless a significant part of their cultural belief system, e.g., their religion or language, remains different from that of their adopted nation. This is true in Thailand for the ethnic Chinese in comparison to the Thai-Muslims. While the ethnic Chinese could readily follow Thai assimilation policies requiring them to pay respect to the Buddha statue, this was more difficult for the Thai-Muslims. Thus, a similarity in culture and beliefs has made it easier for the Chinese to adapt and constitutes an important variable for their assimilation process in Thailand.
Research objectives
The aim of this book is fourfold:
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1. To examine the assimilation process of the Chinese community in Thailand in the present by focusing on Thai-Chinese relations from a historical perspective. The following questions will be explored:
- a.What were the objectives and interests of the overseas Chinese in migrating to Thailand from the 13th century until the present?
- b.How has the Thai government formulated its foreign and domestic policies towards China and its immigrants in each period of time?
- c.How have the Thai foreign and domestic policies affected the Chinese in Thailand in each different period of time?
- d.How did China react to the Thai policies towards the Chinese in Thailand in each period from the beginning of Thai history until the present?