The opinions and engagements of Thai diaspora in the Netherlands about political conflict in Thailand

Most scholars analyze the role of diaspora and conflict in the context of globalization as prolonging the conflict or supporting peace. This research paper nonetheless specifically focused on political, economic, and social effects of the political conflict in Thailand on Thai entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. As to political effects, the paper finds out the respondents’ narratives about political engagements and views, and the access and sources of the information. In addition, economic effects look at Thai entrepreneurs’ business and remittances, and how they deal with the effects. In term of social impacts, the paper analyzes the effects on dynamics of the relationship and communication between Thai entrepreneurs and family members and friends in Thailand and in the Netherlands and investigate whether homeland conflict affects those relationships, and if so, how. The paper concludes that in short term effects of the homeland conflict are most visible in social and business contacts and in political engagements whereas economic effects are very limited.