Pondok in the City: Biopower and the Everyday Life of Thai Muslim Student

Abstract

Abstract

When the Pondok-a traditional Islamic boarding school once rooted in rural spaces-moves into the heart of Bangkok, the lives of its students inevitably shift. This qualitative research explores the everyday experiences of students at a Pondok school located in Huai Khwang district, using participant observation, in-depth interviews, and contextual analysis of the school’s social and cultural surroundings. Findings reveal the complexity of being a “Pondok student in the city,” where religious discipline intersects with urban modernity. The school offers structured routines and modern facilities while maintaining strict adherence to Islamic teachings. From pre-dawn prayers to evening religious lessons, students follow tightly scheduled daily routines that gradually shape their behavior-so much so that these routines persist even when no one is watching. This study draws on Michel Foucault’s concept of biopower to explain how the school’s authority is not enforced through overt control, but rather embedded within the students’ everyday habits and internalized discipline. At the same time, many Pondok students in the city are beginning to envision new futures for themselves-not only in the hereafter, but also in the modern world-while holding firmly to their faith.