Agency, Social Capital, and Mixed Embeddedness among Akha Ethnic Minority Street Vendors in Thailand’s Tourist Areas

Author(s)
Alexander Trupp
Abstract

Eye-catching self-employed female Akha souvenir vendors have become part of the informal sector in Thailand that is linked to the global tourism economy. Data from nine months’ qualitative research are analysed in the framework of “mixed embeddedness” to explore the opportunities and risks with which ethnic minority street vendors in Bangkok are confronted. The role of social capital merits analysis, and Akha vendors’ practices of economic action require examination. Comprehensive assessment of ethnic minority entrepreneurs with respect to their everyday economic activities and prospects must systematically integrate individual and collective action into socio-economic and politico-institutional contexts.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
Journal
Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia
Volume
30
Pages
780-818
No. of pages
39
ISSN
0217-9520
Publication date
11-2015
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507017 Social geography
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/d514a465-be99-4fbd-b798-d54df2f0d506