Author:
Turistiati Ade Tuti,Dayanti Sekar P.,Priyanto Dedi,Sumartono
Abstract
During the Covid-19 outbreak, lockdown regulations affected the mobility of Indonesians temporarily residing in southern Thailand. This study intends to investigate the difficulties they encountered, how they adapted to cultural differences in Thailand, and how they handled with an unpredictable living situation. Case study qualitative research approach was used to conduct the study. The results of the study showed that Indonesian citizens in Southern Thailand found problems related to: 1) Thai language and letters, 2) homesickness, 3) fear of being infected with Covid-19, 4) less halal cuisine is available for Muslims, 5) Worrisome reports in the media regarding the devastating effects of Covid-19. Their adaptation strategy is to: 1) recognize the cultural parallels between Indonesia and Thailand, 2) Develop close relationships between Indonesians in Thailand and their family, relatives, and friends. 3) Think positively, as Covid-19 will soon be finished, 4) Follow a new culture to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
Reference20 articles.
1. Aco, H. (2021, July). Rumah Sakit di Thailand Penuh, Banyak Pasien Covid-19 Meninggal di Jalanan. https://www.tribunnews.com/internasional/2021/07/24/rumah-sakit-di-thailand-penuh-banyak-pasien-covid-19-meninggal-di-jalanan
2. Berger, C. R., & Batista, P. D. (1993). Communication failure and plan adaptation: If at first you don’t succeed, say it louder and slower. Communication Monographs, 60(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/03637759309376310
3. Cai, D. ., & Rodriguez, J. I. (1996). Adjusting to Cultural Differences: The Intercultural Adaptation Mod. Intercultural Communication Studies VI:2 1996-7, VI(2).
4. Fakir, M. S. I. (2018). Intercultural Adaptation Strategies to Culture Shock of International Students in China: A Case Study, International Journal of Business and Management; Vol. 13, No. 2; 2018 ISSN 1833-3850 E-ISSN 1833-8119. International Journal of Business and Management, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v13n2p231
5. Febiyana, A., & Turistiati, A. T. (2019). Komunikasi Antar Budaya dalam Masyarakat Multikultur (Studi Kasus pada Karyawan Warga Negara Jepang dan Indonesia di PT. Tokyu Land Indonesia). Lugas, Jurnal Komunikasi, 3(1).