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- PublicationThe Continuity and Change of Chinese Shrines in Samutsongkhram Province(University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, 2008)
; The research titled with The Continuity and Change of Chinese Shrines in Samutsongkhram Province study 23 registered Chinese Shrines, with an in depth 4 shrines. The research methodology is Qualitative Research with emphasis in Participant Observation, Semi-Structured Interview and Focus Group.The main objectives of the research is to study the important roles and duties of Chinese Shrines in Samutsongkhram and the changes taken place to these shrines due to the changes in economy, society, and cultures within Thailand.The findings were as follows:In terms of the roles of the Chinese Shrines in the community, the findings reveal that these shrines can help preserve the Ethnic Chinese identity of the people living in the community. Moreover, they are still considered as the places of spiritual comfort, the places which house the sacred images of Chinese Gods worshiped by the Chinese, the places for religious rituals and social events, the Clan Shrines, and the places for Chinese arts and cultural studiesThe changes taken place to these Chinese Shrines in Samutsongkhram Province are closely related to the changes in the country’s economy, society, and culture. These can be seen in some of the traditional rituals which have been adjusted to suit the modern-day society, while some, unfortunately, have died out. The shrines’ architectural design and construction are also affected. Besides, the changes can be observed through the shrines’ management and administrative systems, their roles as the community center for the Chinese, the community’s participation in the activitiesorganized at the shrines, the conservation of Chinese arts and cultures, the use of Chinese language, to name a few.Based on these findings, some recommendations on how to conserve and develop the Chinese Shrines in Samutsongkhram Province are given. For example, the Shrines’ physical appearance should be well maintained. The Shrines should continuously organize religious rituals and other festivals every year. The Shrines’ historical accounts and important religious rituals should be documented. The Government should provide more financial support and personnel so the religious rituals and other cultural activities can be appropriately organized.8 1300 - PublicationThe Transmission of the Chineseness (Through Understanding the Meaning and Religious Symbols) to the Descendants of the Chinese in Thai Society(University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, 2012)
; The research entitled “The transmission of the Chineseness to Chinese descendants in Thai society through the understanding the meaning and religious symbols” aims to investigate the existence of Chineseness in Thai society focusing on the transmission patterns and how Chineseness being transferred to the young Chinese generation born in Thailand, which include the transfer of knowledge and understanding of the meaning of important Chinese festivals and traditions, problems related to the transmission of Chineseness, and the factors supporting the success of the transmission of Chineseness. This study is an applied research integrating both quantitative and qualitative data. The data used in this study were collected by distributing questionnaire to 282 secondary students in Samutsongkram and an in-depth interview with 30 Chinese people. The findings are as follows:1. The majority of the research participants still have their belief and faith in gods and sacred or holy items.2. Most of the Chinese still pay their respect to gods on Chinese Sabbath Days as well as to their ancestors on Cheng Meng Day.3. Chinese New Year and Chinese Autumn Festival are two Chinese traditional practices inherited to every Chinese family in Thai society. However, these practices can be varied among families.4. Chinese New Year, Chinese Autumn Festival, Vegetarian Festival, Moon Festival, God’s Thanks Giving Day, and Fifth Moon Festival are among the most important festivals which the young Chinese generation agreed that these festivals should be inherited to the next generation 5. Most of the research participants have their knowledge and understanding of the meaning of Chinese New Year, Chinese Autumn Festival, Vegetarian Festival and God’s Thanks Giving Day. However, Fifth Moon Festival and Moon Festival are the two festivals with the least understanding related to their meaning.6. The transmission patterns of Chinese festivals and traditions are varied. They can be either direct or indirect, such as giving explanation to the young generation about the importance of these festivals, the reasons why paying respects should be made, the information regarding the types and numbers of offerings used for each festival, direct practice by the young generation, demonstration by the old on how these traditional practices should be conducted, and encouragement of the transmission of Chineseness to the next generation. Paying respect to gods, Chinese New Year, Chinese Autumn Festival and Vegetarian Festival are directly inherited to the young generation by giving them directions on how to conduct these religious practices by themselves. However, Fifth Moon Festival, Moon Festival, and God’s Thanks Giving Day are indirectly inherited to the young generation by giving them demonstrations.7. The problems regarding the transmission of the Chinese thoughts, belief, traditions, and festivals to the young generation relate to social, cultural and economic factors as well as individuals’ belief and thoughts. For example, some people believe that the Chinese traditions do not relate to present day’s lifestyle or the young generation fully adopt the new culture and neglect their own culture or tradition.8. The factors supporting the success of the transmission of Chineseness are accurate information given by the old to the young generation, a refining process in a family, encouragement of the sense of Chineseness to the young generation, the importance of the transmission of Chineseness to preserve Chinese identity, and the right understanding that culture is for the community not for an individual. Then the existence of Chineseness can be achieved through a full cooperation of all the Chinese.37 2345