Chinese investors and the identity rebuilding of Chiang Mai in 1950s

Abstract

          This study aimed to study Chiang Mai identity reproduction by Chinese investors in 1957. Content analysis and historical approach were used to analyze and interpret the information. The result showed that in 1950s, Chinese investors reused the identities of Chiang Mai known as the city of beautiful nature, culture and women. These identities were created by the government and elites in Bangkok before 1950. Moreover, Chinese investors utilized the identities as cultural products in order to benefit tourism business which was enhanced by the First National Economic and Social Development Plan. These identities have been repeated through various types of tourism business of Chinese investors in Chiang Mai, such as journalism, magazines, natural touristic places, cultural sites, and local products shops. These businesses had been highly successful. However, Chinese investors had a potential to make people accept the identities more broadly since each Chinese investor was from a rich family and they were elites in Chiang Mai society. Therefore, the identities which have been reused by Chinese investors since 1950s are powerful and acceptable until these days.