Dissent from a Distance

Rising Political Activism of Young Thai Diasporas

Bibliographic Data

ID6434902
AuthorsPavin Chachavalpongpun (0000-0002-4208-1940, Kyoto University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume44
Issue2
Pages313-337
Publication date2025-04-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1868-1034 • E-ISSN: 1868-4882
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/18681034251336767
OpenAlexW4409733349
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited17

The recent political upheavals in Thailand, including the collapse of the Future Forward Party, the ascendance of the Move Forward Party, and the youth-led protests of 2020–2021, have amplified the political activism of young overseas Thais. Motivated by perceived injustices within Thailand, a growing number of young, educated Thais have relocated abroad and engaged in political activism to expedite democratic change in their homeland. This study examines why young overseas Thais engage in political activism and the mechanisms through which they mobilise, focusing on their role as a political force despite their relatively small size. Based on the author's direct involvement with Thai diasporas from 2020 to 2024, it explores the strategies and actions these young activists have used, including forming organisations, launching campaigns, and utilising global communication platforms to enhance their visibility and political influence. Through this lens, the study also assesses the impact of their activism on Thai politics, arguing that while their direct influence remains constrained by structural barriers, their efforts have nonetheless garnered a degree of attention from both political factions in Thailand and international actors

Dissent · Political activism · Political dissent · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · Law · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy · Southeast Asian Sociopolitical Studies

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