ความเปลี่ยนแปลงทางสังคมและวัฒนธรรมของ ‘โสเภณี’ ในเมืองหาดใหญ่ ระหว่างปี พ.ศ. 2510-2560

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the lives of prostitutes in Hat Yai from 1967 to 2017, during which the town’s economy began to flourish, reached its peak, and drastically sank into recession. The study intends to develop a better understanding of prostitutes’ lives and their ways of thinking and to puncture the myth about prostitutes in order to provide possible solutions to tackle foreseeable prostitutes’ problems in the future. The key findings indicate that the actual lives of prostitutes living in Hat Yai are different from the society’s perceptions over the periods, which are: (1) the factors triggering women’s decision to start their career as a prostitute for living; (2) the relationships with other members of the society; (3) problem-solving strategies; and (4) resistance, and a bargain of power to dismantle oppression to meet their interests or to remain their identities and dignity regarding the ideology and value that the prostitutes recognise. These elements have changed according to the contexts of environmental surroundings, mainstream ideology, and values established in society, which affect the definition of the meaning of life and self-identification and impact deciding to start, adjust, and end the career. Interaction between the different groups of prostitutes and their surrounding communities, that can be divided into six groups: (1) families; (2) neighbours; (3) procurers, (4) male-customers; (5) colleagues; and (6) state officers, had changed following the economic and social contexts. This interaction presents the adjustment and resistance of the prostitutes in a certain situation to avoid being subject to abuse and be able to have a meaningful life and dignity as long as options and opportunities are available. ฏ The study on the changes of prostitutes in Hat Yai as a part of Hat Yai’s history shows that prostitutes have played a crucial role in pushing local economic development further. As human beings, prostitutes are trying their best efforts to survive. Even though the social structure and contexts already limited life opportunities, the prostitutes’ right to choose in the neo-liberalism age are similar to other groups of people in the society—to be more liberal. However, the prostitutes still have to concern about their lives based on the risks from the state officers, male customers, and economic uncertainty