Globalization – Disneyfication of Maehongson

While Maehongson has yet to undergo themeing or hybrid consumption, it has undeniably been infected by the merchandizing and performative labor aspect of Disneyization as tourism develops amongst its Padaungs.

With tourism developing in Maehongson, the younger Padaungs growing up under the strong influence of tourism have already cultivated the idea of commodification – they have commodified themselves, to the extent that they have become cultural merchandises. Research confirms this – a Padaung man, “sensing their potential as tourist attractions”, brought Padaung ladies to the “Pai River to draw in boatloads of day-trippers”. (Mirante, 2006) Padaung women have become ‘sample merchandizes’ that tourists can gawk at, raise ‘complaints’ such as “Their necks weren’t that long”, and then ask for other women with longer necks. (Mirante, 2006) Instead of preserving the dignity of the Padaung culture, its native people have begun self-commodifying, hence proving traces of Disneyization’s merchandizing principles spreading in Maehongson.



Also, as the world becomes an increasingly “experience economy”, performative labor becomes crucial. (Temasek Polytechnic TCS Division, 2011) Padaung women have become “tourist attractions” (Haworth, 2008); they are “taught to take a wide responsibility for guest happiness for people of all ages everywhere” the minute they are within reachable boundaries of the Padaungs. (Temasek Polytechnic TCS Division, 2011) Though some younger Padaung women may be struggling with unhappiness of being put on “display” (Meo, 2006), they still keep up a good act in front of tourists so that their income would not be hurt by visitors’ dissatisfaction. (Levett, 2008) This again shows how performative labor, like in Disney, is also getting progressively apparent in Maehongson.

Maehongson has undergone themeing in the way that the Thai authorities have refused to reconstruct its territories – apparently, its theme is 'nature'. Because many tourists like the idea of Maehongson being "primitive" (Meo, 2006), they simply have to retain their natural environment instead of rebuilding for a better living environment.

Hybrid consumption is also evident in Maehongson – there are spas like the Ban Thai Spa (Tripadvisor, N.D.), religious sites like the Wat Chong Kham, rural cultural sites like the Long-Neck Village, shopping markets dubbed the 'Sunday Market' (Travelfish, N.D.), hotels like as Ban Phleng. (Lonelyplanet, 2011) Tourists can find everything they want or need in Maehongson without having to step out of the province, hence showing how Disneyization has spread to Maehongson.