Abstract:
This thesis analyses the status of Catholics citizenshipness in Thai society from past to present including the constructing process, conditions and obstructing Catholic citizenshipness. The research found, Catholic citizenshipness has been a result of the battle and interaction between the mainstream discourse of Thai-Buddhist citizenship and the marginal Thai-Christian citizenship. During the reign of King Rama IV until the Siamese revolution of 1932 (2475 BC.), acting as modern knowledge provider as well as profound relations with the royal institute, helped Christianity to exist in Thai society without conflict. Nevertheless, this did not enable the Catholics to be recognized as part of Thai society. Subsequently, after the 1932 Siamese revolution, Thai monarchy began to lose power. In addition, Field Marshal P. Phibulsongkhram's government pursued his nationalism policy forcing all Thai to become Buddhists. Furthermore, during the conflict between Thailand and France in Indochina War; Christianity was regarded as Frenchs religion as challenging to seize Thailand.This resulted in severe persecution of Christians and served as a main obstacle in constructing citizenshipness of Catholics. However, during the reign of King Rama IX and the Second Vatican Council Reformation, Christianity has adapted itself by creating another set of imagined community of Thai-Catholic citizenshipsness. This process has been through establishing Catholic hospitals and schools, taking on the role of social development and helping the underprivileged, familiarizing Christianity to Thai Society, and lastly re-constructing good relationships Thai monarchy.