Capital characteristics of Thai elites in the Bangkok period (1782-2007)

Authors

Rungnapa Yanyongkasemsuk

Publication Date

2007-01-01

Abstract

Pierre Bourdieu described the production and reproduction of intellectual, economic, political, and bureaucratic elites in France using empirical evidence to analyze the relationship of capitals and the elites' position in the social field. He concluded that cultural capital was the most important factor, but that wealth was also essential and could be transformed into other forms of capital. Based on Bourdieu's approach, this paper describes the characteristics of Thai elites before the revolution in 1932 and those in the new political era. Elites in Thai society include members of the royal family, aristocrats, overseas Chinese businessmen, and intellectuals. The inheritance of cultural capital allowed Thai elites to reproduce their class positions in society and pass them on to their descendants from generation to generation, and thus the characteristics of Thai elites have not changed.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.ARV.20.1.6

First Page

165

Last Page

195

Recommended Citation

Yanyongkasemsuk, Rungnapa (2007) "Capital characteristics of Thai elites in the Bangkok period (1782-2007)," Asian Review: Vol. 20: No. 1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.ARV.20.1.6
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/arv/vol20/iss1/7