The Thai Regime of Images*

This study analyses empirical character and logical form of modes of Thai power, which author calls Thai regime of images. The regime of images is an internally differentiated form of power that exerts systematically different types of policing and control over actions and discourse in private and public spheres, respectively. Under this regime, actions performed and statements uttered in public ( satharana ) domain are more stringently monitored than identical actions and utterances restricted to domains that may be no less visible but which are culturally labelled as private ( suan tua ). When statements or representations do not conform with idealized forms, and are perceived as disrupting, the image of smooth calm ( phap-phot haeng khwam-sa-ngop-riap-roi ), then both formal (legal) and informal (cultural) modes of power may be mobilized to expel unwanted representations from public domain. This regime of power/knowledge has epistemological implications, determining what can and cannot be articulated as public knowledge in Thailand.