Indonesian Gay Men’s Perceptions of Thailand as a Gay‑friendly Destination
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Abstract
Thailand is widely perceived by Indonesian gay men as a gay friendly destination that offers spaces for social interaction and the expression of sexual identity. Despite its popularity, limited research has examined how these perceptions are shaped and the social, cultural, and media influences behind them. This study employed a qualitative design using in depth interviews with 15 Indonesian gay men, aged 18-45, who had travelled to Thailand and participated in LGBTQ+ activities. The findings highlight three key themes: 1) respondents generally view Thailand as welcoming and progressive; 2) media representations, particularly Boys’ Love/Yaoi (BL/Y) series, along with events such as Pride parades and the Songkran Festival, strongly influence these perceptions; and 3) while some participants experience internal conflict due to Indonesia’s cultural and religious norms, others reconcile these tensions and express confidence in embracing their identities. Collectively, the study contributes to the growing literature on LGBTQ+ tourism and offers practical implications for destination marketing and development in Thailand.
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