Thainess as Part of Thai Diaspora Identity in Thai American Literature: A Case Study of Manning’s A Good True Thai and Lapcharoensap’s Sightseeing

Abstract

The study of Thai American literature is a new area of exploration in Asian American literature scholarship. This study investigates two literary works by Thai American authors, Sunisa Manning’s A Good True Thai and Rattawut Lapcharoensap’s Sightseeing, aiming to uncover significant traits of Thainess as a part of the Thai diaspora identity. Employing the framework molded by Asian American criticism and the concept of cultural identity, this study manifests that Thailand, the authors’ home country, is represented through different traits of Thainess as their cultural identity, constituting their diaspora identity. In the first book, the monarch is portrayed as a central trait of Thainess, suggesting that an ideal Thai citizen must revere and express loyalty to the kings who are depicted as the national saviors and unifying figures in times of crisis. On the other hand, Sightseeing represents Thainess in the form of tourist destinations and prostitution, a more common image deeply rooted in Western imagination, which is a result of the Vietnam War. The representation of Thainess in these two books asserts the Thai diaspora identity as an integral part of the authors’ Asian American identity. Presenting the background of the authors’ home country, these two literary works serve as a cultural connection between America and Thailand, aligning with the evolving trend of Asian American literature.