THE DECODING OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY OF HIRANRUCHY DISTRICT, BANGKOK

Abstract

From the past to the present, migration is a constant occurrence in all areas. Hiranruchy district is the old community on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. It has roots in 5 ethnic groups: Thai, Mon, Laotian, Chinese, and Malayu people. The aftermath of the war in the past led to immigration into the area. For more than 250 years, all groups have coexisted peacefully based on ethnic diversity, ways of life, and beliefs. It has cultural interaction, acculturation, and cultural assimilation over time but still left the trace of identities. That made Hiranruchy district an area that is beautiful in the difference of peaceful coexistence. Nowadays, Hiranruchy district is still a dynamic area because of social change including the expansion of the city and educational institutions in the area. This led to the evacuation of people for two main purposes: for living in a condominium or dormitory for ease of work and living in a temporary dormitory for a group of students. It indicates that learning for coexistence is still important at every moment. Accordingly, the article focuses on the study, analysis of key factors, and decoding for peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society. It was found that the factors consisted of equality, respect, understanding, acceptance, and adaptation with mutual support which is a code that connects all 5 factors to create a social structure for peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society without compromising identity.