Abstract:
This dissertation aims at analyzing the concepts underlying the construction of folklore of the Thai Air Force personnel and the identities constructed by this folklore as well as analyzing the functions of folklore of the Thai Air Force personnel in three military education and training institutions. The data were collected during 2014-2018 from the three military education and training institutions: 1) Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy, 2) Royal Thai Air Force Flying Training School, and 3) Royal Thai Air Force Security Forces Command. The concepts of identity and the functions of folklore have been adopted as the main theoretical concepts of this study. The analysis reveals 10 concepts underlying the construction of folklore of the Royal Thai Air Force personnel including 1) the concept of physical strength and mental tolerance; 2) that of bravery and devotion; 3) that of loyalty to the main institutions the nation, king, and religion; 4) that of unity and engagement; 5) that of military honors; 6) that of military seniority; 7) that of acquiring the international air force culture; 8) that of high military capacity and pride of being into the Royal Thai Air Force personnel; 9) that of spiritual strength; and 10) that of non-observance of rules and customs. The last concept is the only one found in the case of folklore created by the Royal Thai Air Force personnel. In terms of identities constructed by the folklore of the Royal Thai Air Force personnel, the analysis reveals five identities including 1) the brave and devoted military personnel who should be proud of themselves; 2) the military personnel who are loyal to the main institutions of the nation; 3) the military personnel who keep friendship and brotherhood in minds; 4) the smart military personnel with the significant duty of defending the territorial sky of the Kingdom of Thailand; and 5) The military personnel who have the same level of capacity with the international air force personnel. The first, the second and the third identities are aspects of identities shared together with personnel in other Thai armies whereas the fourth one is the distinctive identity of the Thai Royal Air Force personnel. The identity of military personnel who are loyal to the main institutions of the nation differentiates the Thai Royal Air Force personnel from the Air Forces personnel of other nations. As for the functions, the folklore of the Royal Thai Air Forces personnel shapes the collective memory and unites the personnel together, gives spiritual strength for those in the period of liminality and those with perilous duties, and serves as an outlet for stress relief and wish fulfillment. This study not only reveals the integration between characteristics of Thai traditional warriors and those of modern military personnel but also demonstrates the crucial functions of folklore in the construction of the personnel with desirable features for the Royal Thai Air Force.