FACTORS AFFECTING CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF KOREANS IN THAILAND : A CASE STUDY OF KOREANS RESIDING IN BANGKOK

Abstract

The purposes of this study are 1) to explore and understand the cross cultural adaptation level of Korean residents in Bangkok, Thailand. 2) to examine the factors affecting Korean residents’ cross cultural adaptation in Bangkok, Thailand. The data was collected by the questionnaires in various Korean communities around Bangkok. 380 Koreans, aged 18 and over who are currently living in Bangkok, Thailand, and have been living in Bangkok continuously for at least 3 months were collected during January-February 2014. This data was then analyzed in descriptive statistic and inferential statistic. The results found that Korean residents can adapt themselves to Thai culture and society in moderate level. The findings of factors affecting the adaptation show that, demographic factors, gender, age, marital status and occupation have a significant effect on cross cultural adaptation level of Korean residents in Bangkok, whereas education level and religion have not affected. For supporting factors, the finding reveals that length of stay in Bangkok, Thai language proficiency, perception of social support from Thai people and interaction with Thai people have significant relationships in positive trend with cross cultural adaptation level of Koreans in Bangkok, while Korean ethic identity does not have any significant relationship with cross cultural adaptation level.