Folklore, Identity, and Tourism among Thai Muslims in Koh Yao, Andaman Sea, Thailand

Abstract

The Muslim community in Koh Yao in the Andaman Sea, Thailand, values their beliefs and practices, which align with transmitting cultural values and the importance of interdependence between humans and nature through different folklore. They inherited folklore from their ancestors, which has been preserved and sustained as their identity and treated as a tourism product that can promote Koh Yao as an interesting tourist destination. Through a qualitative research approach, the data was collected through fieldwork by employing participant and non-participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that the region holds historical significance as it has been settled by various immigrant groups, contributing to forming a distinct Thai Muslim ethnic identity. The available resources produce cultural landscapes that have become a tourism area. Second, the Thai Muslims of Koh Yao exhibit a strong commitment to preserving their ethnic identity through four forms of folklore: first, oral literature, conveying information through spoken words; second, material culture, representing their physical way of life and adapting to various circumstances; third, folk traditions, emphasizing collective interactions over individual expressions or skills; and fourth, folk performing arts, exuberant performances expressing the joy ingrained in the traditions of Thai Muslims in Koh Yao. This study suggests that their unique folklore portrays social phenomena and human relationships, offering captivating representations of Muslim identity. Their folklore practices could be enhanced and promoted as tourism activities by fostering collaboration across sectors while safeguarding their rich cultural heritage.