Cultural Identity and Social Change in Contemporary Thai Society
Keywords:
Cultural identity, Social change, Globalization, Thai society, Hybrid identityAbstract
This article explores the transformation of cultural identity in contemporary Thai society amidst the sweeping forces of globalization, digital technology, migration, neoliberalism, and urbanization. It examines how these dynamics influence the erosion of traditional values, the emergence of hybrid and transnational identities, and the negotiation between cultural continuity and innovation. Case studies from Thai adolescents, ethnic tourism in Northern Thailand, and Muslim youth in Southern Thailand illustrate the diverse ways in which individuals and communities adapt to shifting cultural landscapes. The analysis highlights that while some aspects of cultural identity face fragmentation, others are revitalized and redefined through digital expression, education, and political activism. This study emphasizes the need to understand cultural identity as a fluid, context-dependent construct shaped by both global trends and local resilience in Thai society.
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This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which allows others to share the article with proper attribution to the authors and prohibits commercial use or modification. For any other reuse or republication, permission from the journal and the authors is required.
