Ancestral Homeland Attachment

Abstract

This study examined how ancestral homeland journeys affected a sense of attachment to Thailand among first- and second-generation Thai diasporas residing in Western countries as well as how these two generations differed in their place attachment. The four dimensions of place attachment (place identity, place dependence, social bonding, and affective attachment) were used as a framework for the investigation. A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. Twenty-two Thai migrants currently living in Western countries who had visited Thailand were interviewed. The findings showed that diaspora tourism experiences helped these migrants reflect upon their sense of belonging to their ancestral homeland, leading them to feel more connected to the country. The first-generation tourists demonstrated a higher level of place attachment to Thailand than the second generation in all four dimensions of place attachment.