Abstract

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THE POLITICAL ROLE OF THAI OVERSEAS CHINESE NEWSPAPERS DURING THE PERIOD OF CHINAS XINHAI REVOLUTION

Uma Sinthuset


The objective of The political role of Thai overseas Chinese newspapers during the period of Chinas Xinhai Revolution aimed to study the history of Thai overseas Chinese newspapers during the late 19th century to the early 20th century, which was the period of before and after the Xinhai Revolution occurred in China. Also, this paper would give a birds eye view of how Chinese newspapers which mostly printed about the revolutionary contents affected an absolute monarchy system of Thailand. It is qualitative research based on historical documents compilation of Thai overseas Chinese daily news and other types of overseas Chinese publication in this period. The research revealed that the Xinhai Revolution had deeply effected to Thai overseas Chinese society in many factors, especially in term of Chinese printed matters. The overseas Chinese newspapers became a main political tool of the revolutionary team in Thailand to excite the political thought in Thai overseas Chinese, or even let them having the China patriotism idea. The Chinese newspaper enterprises in Thailand had received a good feedback from the readers who were mostly Thai overseas Chines because Thai Chinese overseas were obviously awakened from the articles about political ideas in newspaper. The political ideology was separated into two groups, the revolutionary party led by Sun Yat sen and the constitutional monarchy party led by Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao Chinese modern reformers. Two political ideologies were intense debated each other through the letters in many copies of newspapers. As a result, although the revolutionary party got a great success at last, but this event led a great development in Chinese publication. The golden age of Chinese publishing and presses positively raised up cultural education including social position of Thai overseas Chinese. Apart from political thought publication, Chinese newspaper also became a platform for political thought debating between the Thai overseas Chinese revolutionists and King Rama VI (King Vajiravudh) who was the highest leader in country. The revolution thoughts were obviously converse to the Thai monarchy’s system, it also caused many conflicts among Chinese and Thais. King Vajiravudhwas known for his effort to promote Thai nationalism through many books and articles in newspaper. Apparently, the gold age of Thai publication was generated from Thai overseas Chinese publication activities as well.