Editor's Pick
Rooted in Taoyuan: The Community Energy and Inter-ethnic Connections of Thai New Immigrants
KYLE11d ago
What's Hot in Southeast Asia
Host: Wang Wen-yue / Associate Professor of Southeast Asian Studies, National Chi Nan University
Taiwan's new immigrant population has long exceeded 600,000, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand being the main source countries. However, in public discourse, new immigrants are often treated as a monolithic group, overlooking the vast differences in language, culture, religion, professional backgrounds, and community organizational structures among different ethnic groups. In fact, Taoyuan is home to spouses and the second generation from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, forming a rich multicultural network here. In addition to ethnic-specific interpreter associations (such as Thai and Vietnamese translation services), there are also new immigrant groups like the "Hand in Hand Thai Culture Association" that inherit Thai culture and jointly build "Taiwan's second home."
He Xueyi is an active member of this community. Born in Thailand, he lives in Zhongzhen New Village, Taoyuan, and has been recognized as an outstanding role model for new immigrants in Taoyuan. In addition to leading high-end Thai tour groups, he also serves as a native language Thai teacher in elementary schools, accompanying the second generation with their mother tongue. He also actively participates in the Hand in Hand Thai activities, becoming an important bridge connecting Thai new immigrants with Taiwanese society. Today, the new immigrant community in Taoyuan has evolved from early language adaptation to cultural co-prosperity and community participation. Interpreter associations of different ethnic groups provide life assistance, while cross-ethnic comprehensive groups promote policy advocacy, parent-child activities, and cultural festivals, making "new immigrants" no longer a label but an indispensable part of Taiwan's diverse society. Today, we invite He Xueyi to share his journey from engineer to teacher, tour guide, and community leader, and how Taoyuan has become the forefront of Sino-Thai cultural integration.
Mr. He Xueyi, who holds the triple roles of tour guide, elementary school Thai teacher, and member of Hand in Hand Thai, is the best window to observe the Thai community in Taoyuan and the overall new immigrant ecosystem. This episode will take listeners deep into the daily lives and community identity of Thais in Taiwan through his personal experiences, and how new immigrants are gradually finding their place on this land of Taiwan.
Welcome to listen
🔽Listening Platforms🔽
Apple https://reurl.cc/orb3Ll
Spotify https://reurl.cc/rrbV8b
SoundOn https://reurl.cc/WRYo3O
✉️Interact with us✉️
Write to us at sea@rti.org.tw
How does this article make you feel?
1 people reacted