Evaluating the Relevance of Actor-Network Theory in Understanding Floating Markets of Thailand: A Critical Review

Abstract

This comprehensive review provides an analytical and critical examination of the journal article 'Floating markets in Thailand: same, same, but different' by Chalermpet Pangajarn, René van der Duim, and Karin Peters, published in the Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change in 2018. The focus of the journal article, and consequently, this review, is on the unique tourism development of five distinct floating markets in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand, which have come to symbolize Thai culture. This review employs the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a lens to unravel the complex and fluid dynamics of these markets, exploring how they have adapted and transformed over time to meet the demands of international tourism. Additionally, it highlights potential biases, power dynamics, and the significance of spatial and temporal considerations in the application of ANT to cultural and geographical studies. The review concludes with a discussion on challenges and opportunities in applying ANT to tourism studies and provides a potential alternative view emphasizing the need for relational analysis in understanding the diverse and dynamic nature of these markets. Overall, the review aims to contribute to the academic discourse on tourism development by providing a deeper understanding of Thailand's floating markets, assessing the methodological approach of ANT, and suggesting potential directions for future research.