The Transformation of Thai Families in the Context of Globalization

Abstract

This article examines the transformation of Thai families within the context of globalization, highlighting structural, economic, cultural, technological, and intergenerational dimensions of change. Traditionally rooted in Buddhism, kinship solidarity, and agrarian lifestyles, Thai families once revolved around extended households and hierarchical roles. However, modernization processes such as urbanization, industrialization, and education reform began reshaping family patterns before the intensification of globalization. Global forces have since accelerated these changes, producing smaller nuclear households, single-parent and blended families, and transnational caregiving arrangements driven by labor migration. Economic pressures and consumer culture have further altered aspirations and domestic roles, while cultural influences from global media and discourses of gender equality have redefined gender relations and challenged patriarchal authority. Technological innovations, particularly social media, have reshaped family communication but also created generational divides. These dynamics produce tensions between traditional filial piety and modern ideals of independence, yet families adapt through hybridization, blending traditional values with global influences. The Thai case contributes to broader debates on family change in Asia by illustrating how local traditions mediate global cultural flows. The article concludes that Thai families remain resilient, not in decline, but continually negotiating continuity and change in an interconnected world.