ABSTRACT
In April 2018, a dispute erupted between pro-democracy groups and authorities over a newly published history book that lauded the military government and junta leader as a promoter of democracy in Thailand. Disputes over narratives in history textbooks such as this have recurred several times since social studies became a school subject. In Thailand, social studies for primary and secondary education is an integrated subject consisting of five learning areas: religion and morality; civics and culture; history; economics and geography. Compared to other school subjects, social studies is arguably the target of heated debate as it plays an important role in shaping students’ behaviour, sending moral messages and passing on national culture and values. In this chapter, the development of social studies curricula in Thailand is presented, starting from 1932, when the change in political governance from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy commenced, until the current period. Social studies curricula in different period are analyzed and situated within the socio-political contexts of Thailand at the time.
