A study of everyday life of the diasporic Karen in Bangkok

Abstract

A study of everyday life story of the diasporic Karen in Bangkok which  concerns the concept of everyday life of Henri Lefebvre's, as well as the concept of diaspora and transculturalism with a purpose to study the everyday life of the Karen displaced people in Bangkok.  This is some data from interviews which are a part of dissertation of Doctor of Fine and applied Arts Program titled “ART FILM “MALI”: EVERYDAY LIFE STORY OF THE DIASPORIC KAREN IN BANGKOK” by collecting data from documents and in-depth interview of two Karen maids in Bangkok. The study brings the concept of Henri Lefebvre's Everyday Life and Rhythmanalysis: Temporal Rhythms, Spatial Rhythms, Social Rhythms and concept of migration, diaspora, and cross-border cultures to analyze for developing to the art film.

The study found that the everyday life of the diasporic Karen is not monotonous, but can gradually change according to the social environment around them, such as a work-schedule, the child-upbringing, and whatever jobs the employer orders. Diasporic people are in the concept of ‘home’ which not just a place but also includes dwelling. Therefore, the home of diasporic people is not the only one, but there are many. But the most important home is 'Imaginary home' that they intend to build from their own story. It fills a sense of losing the home where they originally from (root) and find the path of their life (route) for resettlement.