The Perception of Communication Problems and Communication Strategies used by Thai Vendors to Communicate with English Speaking Tourists in Chiang Mai Province
Abstract:
This study aims to examine communication problems and communication strategies used by Thai vendors to communicate with English speaking tourists in Chiang Mai province. The data was collected from Thai vendors through purposive sampling method and English speaking tourists through accidental sampling method. This mixed-method research utilized both quantitative and qualitative research instruments including close-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and non-participants observations. The fifty Thai vendors and fifty English speaking tourists were asked to complete the questionnaires. By means of the interviewing process, ten Thai vendors and ten English speaking tourists were asked to complete the interview. Then, five Thai vendors were observed by using video and audio recording. The results showed that that of overall communication problems, as perceived by Thai vendors consist of listening and speaking problems. In term of culture problems, Thai vendors did not found this problem in conversation. As perceived by English speaking tourists were main by speaking and listening problems, except cultural problem. For the communication strategies, most of the Thai vendors normally employed Time-gaining strategies, followed by Non-language strategies, Avoidance strategies, Paraphrase strategies and Borrowing strategies respectively. As perceived by English speaking tourists, Non-language strategies was used by Thai vendors, followed by Time-gaining strategies, Paraphrase strategies, Avoidance strategies and Borrowing strategies respectively. This study suggests that it is beneficial to as the information can be utilized as guidelines book or design training programs for Thai vendors communication problems."