Abstract:
This research is a study of state intervention and performativity of public grief during the 100 days mourning of the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, from 13 October 2016 until 20 January 2017. It takes a look at the Thai states intervention in public grieving, factors that determine Thai citizens expression of public grief, and how such a controlled performativity of public grief creates a discourse about the Thai Nationhood. It found out that the Thai state employed a series of intervention in public grieving in an attempt to mobilize Thai society during the time of uncertainties and to gain control over the framing of discourse in the political public sphere. Through successions of performative codes imposed by the state, the docile body of mourners became carriers of surveillance and signifiers of a discourse about the Thai Nationhood. Important factors which determined the states intervention of public grieving include traditions and public protocols, and the status quo of the Thai monarchy. Traditions and public protocol creates a cultural norm and connects individual consciousness to that of the society. The status quo of the monarchy as a God-like political symbol plays an important role in the design of the this intervention, and it is confirmed through a series of performative protocols and rituals performed by the public. Performing of public grief during this period reflects the ideology of the Thai Nationhood under the hegemony of Royalism and Nationalism discourse. Thus, the Monarchy, Thai Nationhood and Thainess becomes dismissible part of Thai's collective identity.