This document examines the influence of Christianity on identities in Thailand. It provides background on religions in Thailand, noting that over 90% of the population is Buddhist. It discusses how Buddhist philosophy shapes Thai life and identities. The document then outlines the history of Christianity in Thailand and its contributions to modernization. It argues that increased travel, media, and education exposure have led some Thai youth to develop bicultural identities by integrating Christian and Thai elements, while others experience identity confusion from feeling excluded from both their local and global cultures.

1. Presented by Sangnin, K ( Park)

2.  My purpose : examine and identify the
Christian feature, focusing on its effect
on identities.

3. Introduction
1. explain about religion in Thailand
2. how Buddhist teaches Thais, and what
the main point in their philosophy of
Buddhist
3. The history of Christian in Thailand
4. Discuss the effect of Christian on
identity

4. Religions in Thailand
 Buddhist represent
92.3% of national
population
- integration ( e.g.
Thai- Chinese
population )
- Buddhist architecture
is similar to
 Muslim, represent 5.2
%
 Christian, mainly
Catholic represent 1.6
%

5. Buddhist in Thailand
 Very important in Thai life
 The philosophy of Buddhist :
- not begin with birth and death
- believe in karma=> the law of cause and
effect
- suggests that selfishness and craving->
suffering
- compassion and love -> happiness and
well-being
Therefore, eliminate passion-> peace of mind

6. The history of Christian in
Thailand
 Introduced by European missionaries in
the 1550s
 Played a vital role in the modernization
of Thailand ( e.g. in social and
educational institution )

7.  What Christian did for Thailand
 Made contributions ( health and education )
 Introduced surgery
 Made the first vaccinations
 Trained the doctor in western medicine
 Wrote the first Thai- English Dictionaries

8. Causes
 The development of transportation
- travelling easier ( according to UN, a
huge increase of the proportion of
traveler )
 The influence of media technologies e.g.
movies, publish ( UN and Arnett agree
with this )
 The exposure to directly

9. The effect of Christian on
identity
1. Bicultural identity :
Cause : the emergence of Christian school/ increasing
- most schools bases on Buddhist Arnett and
- some depend on Christian ( Christian schools ) UN
What they do or teach: for example mention it
- not only knowledge or language skills in his
article
- expose to Christian on students
- teach more global culture, bec. They depend on
international company
- provide better resources to access global media
- better activities added the context of Christian=>
students are enjoy and happy
Therefore, students become bicultural identities

10. UN and Arnett’s argument
relate to this example
 Arnett points out that pp. can communicate
each other easily through media
technologies
- claims that internet become important
- highlights that this can lead to bicultural
identities
 UN states that youth are vulnerable
- more open to learn new and unusual
things

11. 2. Identity confusion :
Cause : development and advancement of techno. =>
travel and connect -> easily and rapidly
What happen :
- more youth go aboard to study- more experience
For example : the best ways to learn English for student
is to go to Church and to participate in the Christian
social
But : when they back to their country=> not feel belong
to local or tradition religion
Moreover, some youth have trouble to choose

12. Arnett’s perspective relate to
this example
 points out that some youth have
experience in losing, or feeling like the
lack of meaning with tradition culture
while they have chance in global culture
as well, which they can find their
meaning from this, or may be not ->
feeling excluded from both

13. Conclusion
1. Christian gives opportunity as a choice, in
case that people loss their meaning from old
religion
2. we can see how Christian affects identities,
when they play an alternative role
Therefore,
- gives more choices ( two cultures )->
bicultural identities
- causes identity confusion
Thanks you for your attention

14. References
1. Arnett, J.J. (2002). The psychology of
globalization. American psychologist, 57,
774-783
2. UN, (2003). Young people in a globalizing
world. World youth report, chapter 11
3. Chumsriphan, S. (2007). A Brief History Of
The Catholic Church In Thailand. Society
of Saint Pius X in Asia site, viewed 12 April
2008, <http://www.catholic-
hierarchy.org.th>