Tourism, Digital Social Communication and Development Discourse: A Case Study on Chinese Tourists in Thailand

Abstract

This paper explains tourism and cultural values amidst the globalization period. It also discusses tourism for sustainability discourse and what sustainable development means from a Thai Buddhist perspective. Since the tourism industry is booming in Thailand, the influx of Chinese tourists has contributed to the Thai economy. However, the cultural misunderstandings between Chinese tourists and Thais have caused a lot of tensions. Via digital communication platforms-such as You Tube, ``Kon Dang Nang Clear,'' ``Tang Kon Tang Kid'' from Amarin TV discussions about Chinese tourists, and Face Book, of which the parody is ``We love Chinese Tourists''-Thais discuss their priorities: money versus cultural preservation as a means of development.