Political Culture in 21st Century Thai Villages

The Northeast of Thailand is viewed as a remote region inhabited by poor and uneducated farmers. These poverty ad educational backwardness are often put forward as the reasons why people in this area constantly vote for corrupt vote-buying politicians. The argument made by Thai academic: was people in this region were too poor and too uneducated to understand real democracy. However, the citizens of the Northeastern villagers shocked the entire nation with the electorate turnout on December 10th,2007 when they voted for 'no name' politicians of their own choices, not by 'order' as in the past in addition, villagers of the Northeast of Thailand were also the majority of the 'red shirt' protesters against the current government. The daring to challenge the 'established' politicians and other institutions keeps happening through the latter local elections and other political activities in recent Northeastern Thailand. This interesting phenomenon is perceived as a part of new political culture. This study illustrates how this new political culture is formed. The data is collected by in-depth interview with villagers and political leaders in Banphai and Phon District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. The study found that the villagers 'political decisions were influenced by mass media and neighbors. Vote buying is accepted but not influential matter.