SOCIAL MOBILITY, RECONSTRUCTION, AND OVERLAP OF KATHOEY’S TERRITORY: A CASE OF THAIILAND AND GERMANY

Abstract

The objectives of this article were to: 1) analyze the social mobility and the reconstruction of resettlement communities which comprised of the physical, social, cultural, and imaginary of the Kathoey’s cabaret performers, and 2) analyze an overlap of the complex components of resettlement communities of the Kathoey’s cabaret performers. By applying the research methodology of the constructionism grounded theory by Kathy Charmaz, the data was collected by in-depth interviews with 23 target groups of Kathoey’s cabaret performers in Thailand and Germany. The content analysis was used for data analysis base on interpretation and construction to summarize ideas into new concept. The results of the study were as follows: 1) The social mobilities and reconstruction of the Kathoey’s territory were related to the government policy as well as changes occurred within social life of Kathoey. In 1967, the collective social mobility occurred on the physical territory of Bangkok. The state’s announcement of new tourism policy in Pattaya City in 1967-1972 increased the dramatically growth of Pattaya. To becoming a modern tourist city, new business investments drew massive interest from Bangkok investors. This change stimulated large groups of Kathoey to move in Pattaya. In 1974 a new style of cabaret show was opened for the first time. To support the service policy according to the National Economic and Social Development Plan No. 3., the shows drew attention from both local tourists and the international ones. During 1961-1989, some Kathoey migrated to Germany because they want to search for the “better life”. The new flexible policy for migrants of the German government during the Cold War period allowed convenient immigration for several Kathoey migrants, 2) After resettlement, there was overlapping of the Kathoey’s territory over the physical habitat. These could be divided into 3 dimensions, society, culture, and imaginary. They flow and change because of a model of relationship beyond the boundary among Kathoey members. This study concluded that there was strong evidence of relationship between changing in the state policy and forms of social mobilities. Moreover, the pattern of migrations was beyond boundary and showed the overlapping of complex structure and social interactions.