Abstract
Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide and experiences dynamic inbound and outbound mobilities, which increasingly problematize binary perspectives toward tourism and migration. This chapter examines the intersecting terrain between tourism and migration in the Thai context. An analysis of marriage migration and retirement migration shows that these two forms of mobility often originate from a tourist experience or a “host-guest” relationship which can then lead to a longer-term stay. This study draws on semi-structured interviews, surveys, and participant observation to better understand so-called Western retirement migrants in Thailand and Thai marriage migrants in Europe. Data show that most Western retirement migrants residing in Thailand had already traveled extensively for leisure and recreation or business purposes before settling in the country. Moreover, Thailand’s tourism hotspots are social spaces where international tourists meet Thai women (and men) who are frequently internal migrants working in the hospitality and service sector. Finally, Thai marriage migrants abroad not only helped establish transnational networks and flows for remittances and ideas motivating still more women to marry and move abroad but also produced an increase in visiting friends and relatives tourism.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Intersections of Tourism, Migration, and Exile |
| Editors | Natalia Bloch, Kathleen Adams |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Routledge, Taylor & Francis |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781003182689 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2022 |
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 504021 Migration research
- 507002 Population geography
- 504012 Leisure research