สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume II - 2010 Sobha Spielmann despised adversary and the like, instead of entering a debate using mature arguments. Such reluctance to offend can prevent even the mere mentioning of felt needs or demands or of the airing of substantive grievances and thus precludes nipping conflict in the bud. Refusal of dialogue on grounds that the other side does not ‘know’ things does not help, either. All this is likely to contribute, though, to a growing sense on part of those less educated and powerless that the authorities have not only taken them for granted but have also marginalized and excluded them from mainstream concerns and pleasures. Though helpless as individuals, a multitude of such people motivated with common grievances and assembled in favor of some cause or interest group can be pushed towards a common goal and prompted to joint action; and consequently can accomplish something. Denial of existence of such problems, and thus avoiding open confrontation at this point, and failure of the established institutions and channels to addressing those - while still relatively confined and manageable – contributes greatly to the escalation of dissent and conflict. Divisions in Society Thai society is diverse; according to socio-economic criteria highly stratified and divided and not entirely inclusive, with people in rural areas and at the periphery not fully integrated into the economy or society at large. Great differences as to wealth and education prevail. Major economic and social divisions exist, as well as a wide disparity reflecting the rural-urban residence divide and other relevant socio- economic parameters (education, health, life expectancy, income and property). This means, Thais hailing from such diverse backgrounds must be talking at cross purposes because they do not share many traits or assets, preferences, likes and dislikes – with people outside their own group of reference. On the one extreme the semi-literate rural low-income earners and the highly educated urban high-income earners positioned at the other end have nothing in common. With social distance, economic gaps and other divisions in society still growing, those lagging behind on certain social indicators, including their incomes which may be precarious, may entertain a growing sense of being disenfranchised and excluded from the mainstream of having a quality of life. Similar convictions will grow even more when they feel that they are not receiving respect from those more powerful or affluent. With their emotions bottled up and their aspirations disappointed, their frustrations not relieved, a potentially worrying combustion is thus set on course. The stark division in and stratification of Thai society poses a major