Images of Thai Women in Thai Travel Magazines

Abstract

This research on the portrayal of women in Thai travel narratives aims to analyze the structure and components of these narratives and examines the language strategies used to present the images of Thai women within the context of travel magazines by combining textual analysis with visual methodology. Altogether 313 narratives from 48 issues of Vacationist, Travel around the World, Neekrung and Osotho magazines published between June 2018 and May 2019 were collected. The study reveals that the meanings of travel and the images of Thai women in the travel magazines through the use of language strategies are formed in a positive way. Solo female travelers are depicted as adventurers, nature lovers and soul searchers. These images indicate individuality and financial independence. On the other hand, female travelers with companions are displayed in association with their roles as wives, mothers and daughters.