อัตลักษณ์ทางวัฒนธรรมของชาวไทยเชื้อสายจีนในย่านตลาดวโรรส จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ ระหว่างปี พ.ศ. 2555 – 2563

Abstract

This thesis studies the construction of cultural identity through cultural signs of Chinese-Thai people in the community of Warorot market, Chiang Mai Province, in the context of tourism economy dominant by tourists from mainland China. The past studies have examined the adaptation and identity building of Chinese-Thai in many communities. However, none of these studies have examined the cultural aspect of the group in Warorot Market area in Chiang Mai during the transformation of the tourism economy over the past decade, which saw the increase in number of Chinese tourists. The thesis, particularly, examines the way in which the Chinese-Thai locals in the market area commodify cultural signs to construct their cultural identities that can reinforce consumption and maintain the market’s economy. The study was conducted with the Chinese-Thai people in Warorot Market area by using the qualitative research methodology. The study was based on documents and theoretical concepts, in which they were combined with data collected from fieldwork. In the field, informal interviews with open-ended questions in a non-specific manner were carried out with informants in the Warorot market area. The fieldwork study also included participatory and non-participatory observations, in wihc the collected information was cross-examined and validated according to various issues and aspects of cultural identity which are examined in this thesis. The study found that the construction of cultural identities of the Thai-Chinese in Warorot Market is linked to the historical development of cultural life, in which they have to adapt and reconstruct their cultural identities. This is to maintain their socio-economic status in Warorot Market, the community that is driven by market-economy. For example, in the time when “Chinese-ness” is able to manifest and consumed in the public space, making it to become cultural resource and capital, the Chinese-Thai people in the market make use of this cultural signs to re-create Chinese identity to themselves and the goods that they sell, regardless of the complexity of the cultural roots of “Chinese-ness”. This can be seen exemplified in Chinese festivals in the market. In the time when the market welcomes more Chinese tourists, particularly since 2012, the Chinese-Thais in the market, once again, re-invent their cultural identity to match the pre-existing desire of the Chinese tourists who see Chinag Mai as a province of nature and fruits. This can be seen from the new type of goods that the locals present to the tourists. The above findings show that the cultural identity of the local people in Warorot Market area is less based on the traditional way of life, but more on the changing economic conditions and the transformation of market capitalism in the country and pronvice. The cultural and economic lives of the Chinese-Thais of Warorot Market have dynamics that can always adjust to the new life conditions.