Historical Dialogue for Social Harmony: Transforming Collective Memory and Conflict through Inclusive Narratives

This paper examines the role of historical dialogue as a transformative tool to address societal conflicts and injustices rooted in collective memory and identity. Historical narratives—whether shaped by state power or marginalized communities—tend to reinforce unequal power dynamics and exclusionary national identities, deepening divisions within society. Through a critical exploration of concepts such as collective memory, national identity, and impunity, the study demonstrates how unresolved historical grievances perpetuate trauma and cycles of violence. This is particularly evident in the Deep South of Thailand—encompassing Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla—where systemic discrimination, marginalized identities, and long-standing injustices have exacerbated conflict. The paper highlights the importance of fostering inclusive dialogue among key stakeholders—such as Muslim and Buddhist religious leaders, history educators, and security authorities—to build trust, mutual understanding, and sustainable peace. Drawing on Constructivist and Postmodern frameworks, the study advocates for reimagining history education and public discourse to promote critical thinking, diverse narratives, and pluralistic memory. Findings reveal that the Thai curriculum currently lacks multi-ethnic representation and fails to instil respect for cultural diversity, instead prioritizing nationalism and centralized unity. The study urges the government to expand beyond nationalist narratives and offers policy recommendations to enhance relationships between the security sector and local communities. These recommendations focus on recognizing and respecting distinct cultural and historical identities, transforming conflict into reconciliation, and laying the foundation for long-term peace.