A SCOPING REVIEW OF DIGITAL AGENCY AND CULTURAL NAVIGATION AMONG THAI SOLO FEMALE TRAVELLERS TO MALAYSIA

Siti Yuliandi, Ahmad and Nik Nur Auni, Nik Ruslan (2025) A SCOPING REVIEW OF DIGITAL AGENCY AND CULTURAL NAVIGATION AMONG THAI SOLO FEMALE TRAVELLERS TO MALAYSIA. In: 9th International Symposium of Education and Values ​​(ISOEVA), 7-10 October 2025, Famagusta/TRNC.

PDF - Published Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

Solo female travel from Thailand to Malaysia is gaining attention as a unique form of cross-cultural tourism shaped by motivations, digital empowerment, and personal exploration. However, there remains a lack of focused research on how Thai women navigate solo travel across cultural and religious boundaries, particularly in a Muslim-majority destination like Malaysia. Limited attention has been given to understanding how digital tools support their travel decisions, risk management, and cultural adaptation, despite the increasing visibility of solo female travellers in the region. This study examines key factors influencing their motivations, constraints, digital agency, and cultural navigation. Digital platforms like Google Maps, TikTok, and Instagram play a vital role in planning, navigating, and adapting to new environments, helping them manage cultural boundaries and safety concerns. This study adopts a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with Thai women aged 18 and above who have travelled solo to Malaysia or plan to do so. Thematic analysis is used to explore how these travellers construct meaning and agency through digital engagement. The findings aim to explore how Thai solo female travellers construct and perform their digital and cultural agency while navigating cross-border travel to Malaysia, a Muslim-friendly destination. It examines how digital technologies, gender identities and sociocultural expectations interact to shape pre-tip intentions, on-the-ground experiences and post-trip reflections. Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of female mobility and empowerment in Southeast Asian tourism.

Item Type:	Proceeding Paper (Plenary Papers)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	SFT; Malaysia;Thailand; Cultural Experience; Social Media Influence
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) > G156.5.S87 Sustainable tourism
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages
Depositing User:	Dr. Siti Yuliandi Ahmad
Date Deposited:	24 Nov 2025 21:27
Last Modified:	24 Nov 2025 21:27
Queue Number:	2025-11-Q150
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/124600

Actions (login required)

View Item