Re-constructing “Chineseness” in the Frontiers of Statehood, Memory, and Territory: The Kuomintang Communities of Northern Thailand

Abstract

Diasporic identity is not merely inherited, but is actively constructed through memory, heritage, and negotiation with shifting geopolitical forces. Yet, little attention has been paid to how communities at the margins of statehood reimagine belonging through cultural memory. This study addresses that gap by examining a distinct Kuomintang diaspora community in Northern Thailand, where such identity work is particularly visible. It discusses the reconstruction of “Chineseness” in the small village of Mae Salong, which was founded by Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) soldiers fleeing the Chinese Civil War. The article examines how geopolitical events, cross-border migration, and memory have shaped this community’s identity at the frontiers of statehood and territory. Using theories of collective and cultural memory, the article analyzes key sites of memory, including the Chinese Martyrs’ Memorial and General Xi Duanwen’s tomb, to show how these communities have utilized memory and heritage to carve out new spaces of identity and belonging. The role of tourism in influencing these memory constructions is also emphasized, with a focus on how local traditions are displayed to meet tourists’ expectations. By analyzing how historical narratives and cultural practices are preserved, adapted, and reimagined in Mae Salong, this article offers insights into the broader dynamics of identity formation in Chinese diaspora communities.