1993 APT1 Conference : Identity, tradition and change

of contacts, sinioritv, and the illusion of power--known collectively as bullshit, women are often treated as second class citizens. Conversely, the idealization of motherhood through nationalistic images is most potent in heroine worship of Queen Sirikit. Seen as the Mother of the Thais such icons are encouraged and preferred to socio-sexual indifferences of gender discrimination. Yet, there are a handful of Thai women artists such as Araya Rasjamrearnsook and Pinaree Sanpitak who try to create their own space by commenting on the stereotyping of gender as well as the institutional barrier of repression and sexism. Instead of drawing on clear-cut conclusions I leave the issues of cultural nationalism and identity open with all kinds of possibilities and interpretation. We must resist in repeating the sterile Third World rhetoric in combating external threat and 'filth' from the West to the survival, prosperity, and identity of the nation. We cannot pretend that within the hybridizing societies in this region we are all one big Asian-Pacific family. This mirage is simply not real. In case of Thailand, cultural nostalgics cannot persuade us through images of Thai-ness where all is well in the Land of Smile. Because, I think cultural difference is no longer a stable exotic Otherness. To take a static stance in defining self identity is to attract hostility. 8