Abstract:
The research aims to study the relationship between internet and political participation of Chulalongkorn University student. Research method is mainly a qualitative research of a focus group study of 18 students. In addition, it is complemented by a purposive questionnaire survey of 198 students. It is found that, from a questionnaire survey of 198 students, internet is only a tool or a channel for accessing political information. But internets role here is not important for political participation. All in all, website is, among other means, the most important and effective tool for students to access political information. This evidence is obviously seen from the focus group study as internet is the means which can bring students to get political information for their political participation and social movement. As internet provides its users for a freely access to political information as well as to freely comment or share and voice their opinions through internet blog, so internet will partly activate for a further political consciousness. However, the study also found that, from a focus group study, the political participation activity of both Young Peoples Alliance for Democracy Group and Change a Heart, Change the World Group are mainly stimulated through internet such as website, electronic mail and web board. In this Thai political context, internet is the most crucial communication medium for creating free space for sharing political information led to political activities such as preparing demonstration, joining protests, signing petition requesting public investigation of political corruption, spreading official statements, discussing political issues, attending Hyde park, ect