When the voiceless speak: Rohingya networks and the construction of Rohingya representation in Thailand

Abstract

The Rohingya refugee crisis has garnered international attention and concern, yet media representations often depict this community in an oversimplified and biased manner. This dissertation investigates the politics of representation and the role of the collaborative-transformative representation network in shaping narratives of the Rohingya community in Thailand. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study employs multi-cited ethnography, mobile ethnography, participant observation, and interviews with Rohingya individuals and members of three key organizations: the Burmese Rohingya Association Thailand (BRAT), White Channel, and Amnesty International Thailand (AIT). By examining how these organizations interact and collaborate with the Rohingya community, this research explores the potential for collaborative-transformative representation networks to challenge and change mainstream media representations of marginalized communities. Findings from this study reveal that the Rohingya in Thailand face derogatory portrayals in the mainstream Thai media, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and undermining their rights and well-being. Through processes of self-representation, the Rohingya community in Thailand has sought to combat discrimination and advance its cause. Collaborative efforts with organizations such as BRAT, White Channel, and AIT have enabled the Rohingya community to participate in decision-making processes and take an active role in shaping their own narratives. The collaborative-transformative representation network emerges as a valuable framework for understanding the complex interactions between the Rohingya community and various organizations working to support them. The study illustrates how the Rohingya have developed and maintained active networks in Thailand, which play a crucial role in legitimizing their presence in Thailand and providing essential support. The network comprises members with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and forms of economic, social, and cultural capital, making it important to examine the perspectives of individual organizations as well as the overall composition of the network. Utilizing multi-cited ethnography and mobile ethnography, this research explores the socio-territorial links within and outside the Rohingya community in Thailand, shedding light on everyday life practices and movement between sites. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of how the collaborative-transformative representation network functions, and how its various components contribute to reshaping the representation of the Rohingya. This dissertation contributes to a growing body of literature on the politics of representation and the role of collaborative-transformative representation networks in shaping narratives for marginalized communities. The findings hold implications for policymakers, NGOs, and media practitioners working with refugee populations, highlighting the importance of promoting self-representation and fostering collaborative networks to challenge and counter inaccurate and biased portrayals in the mainstream media. By examining the case of the Rohingya community in Thailand, this research underscores the potential of collaborative-transformative representation networks to empower marginalized communities and work towards a more inclusive and just society.