Kopi coffee shops: Political interaction spaces for Trang locals

Abstract

     This article explored the social interactions relating to political communication among urban residents of Trang province using Kopi coffee shops. The data of this qualitative research were collected through non-participant observations and through in-depth interviews with nine customers covering three different age periods, and three employees and Kopi coffee shop owners. The target group was selected using purposive sampling criteria. The survey was conducted to select Kopi coffee shops that were outstanding in being a place where people had social interactions, in the commercial area of the city. Staff from the Cultural Authority of Trang Province and Officials of the Provincial Administration were interviewed to select three Kopi coffee shops with different ages. The results of the study revealed that Kopi coffee shops are important communication places for people in the community. They support social activities to help people in the community by being a place for competing economic, political, and changing social powers, for political communication through social symbols, and the center for transferring news and information. In addition, Kopi coffee shops provide a venue for local people involved in politics to build relationships even though political gatherings in public have not been allowed by the National Council for Peace and Order since 2014 up to the present. Nevertheless, Kopi coffee shops are still involved in self-building in terms of thought and negotiations with other powers in society. The article acknowledges the understanding of social relationships and the community of the local culture. Furthermore, further research is recommended into stimulating the topic of social activity and the participation of the community.