Identity Assimilation: Sustaining the Identity, or Sustaining the Aspiration

The world knows Thailand and Malaysia as two different neighbouring countries situated next to each other. Little is known that Southern Thailand & Northern Malaysia used to share the same identity. 500 years ago they were known as Langkasuka Kingdom, until Bangkok Treaty in 1909 separated the two districts officially. Identical physical resemblance, is part of their special traits, besides local cultures, languages and folklore.The main reading of this paper is to discuss; between maintaining the identity of the locals or pursuing the national aspiration, which one is more important. Besides globalization which is slowly consuming the locals identity, whether we realize it or not, our nation's long term branding is also killing the locals identity. The initial intention might be honourable, but is it good enough until we have to sacrifice our native identity? Today, the process of identity assimilation is happening on a large scale and we are beginning to embrace it. As we know and have accepted, assimilation is a sign of progressing towards the future. But is it really necessary? The intention if this paper is to have a discourse on the need to preserve identity, or whichever comes in as priority than the identity itself.