PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS : THE POWER OF THE SAIKHAO NARRATIVE

Abstract

The research has 2 objectives. The first is to study dynamic in Saikhao community, where there is a mix of population differenting in ethnicity, religious and culture, through the phenomenon of peace harmonious living amidst violence in The Deep Southern. The second is to study how the power of narrative creates public conscious in Saikhao community. The researcher selects 2 target-groups as subjects. One is the ideology leader from religious communities and local administrative officers from Saikhao. The other is 3 generations of villagers in Saikhao. The reason is to observe different dynamics in each generation. Furthermore the researcher participated and observed in traditional rituals in Saikhao, i.e. the marriage of Buddhist-Thais and Moalid of the Muslim- Thais.

The research finds that The Saikhao narrative told from generations to generations since the ancient time has influenced beliefs and be of Buddhist-Thai and Muslim-Thai in Saikhao. Furthermore, it integrates 2 cultures to create the unique identity of Saikhao people that is different from other Muslim-Thai communities in The Deep South, especially the "language". Usually, Muslim-Thais in the Deep South speak Malayu language, but Muslim- Thais in Saikhao speak local Saikhao language, a key factor in preventing the creation of segregation and creating trusts, the basis that form public consciousness of 'Saikhao people'. Thus Saikhao villagers feel that both Muslim activities and Buddha activities are Saikhao activities . That is the presentation of "public consciousness" which leads to a strong civil society that experiences no violence in Saikhao. Both Buddhist-Thais and Muslim - Thais who define themselves as "Saikhao-people" conclude that there are 6 factors contributing to no violence incidents in Saikhao community despite the Deep South crisis. They are 1, no suspicions between different religious groups in the community 2.understanding between Buddhist-Thais and Muslim- Thais 3. Feeling of belonging to the same group 4. common language 5. strong leadership and 6, industrious and entrepreneurial nature of Saikhao.