Tourist Gaze and Staged Authenticity in the Context of Creative Conservation: A Case Study of YEN.CNX Café, Chiang Mai
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Abstract
This article examined the case of YEN.CNX, a café located in a former tobacco leaf sorting factory in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The study aimed to analyze the spatial design of the café through the conceptual frameworks of the Tourist Gaze and Staged Authenticity, to explore the ethical implications of revealing labor processes within a cultural service setting, and to propose design strategies for creative business spaces that align with cultural heritage conservation and respect for labor dignity. Using case study methodology, secondary data collection, and visual analysis, the study investigated how the site balanced historical storytelling with aesthetic experience. The findings indicated that while YEN.CNX presented a curated narrative of local labor heritage, the visual exposure of labor processes as part of a touristic aesthetic raised ethical concerns regarding labor dignity and asymmetrical power in storytelling. The article argued that creative tourism spaces should adopt ethical communication strategies and foster community participation in shaping narratives to ensure meaningful preservation, both materially and socio-culturally.
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