The Tourist Motivation and Behavior of International Backpackers Attending the Full Moon Party in Thailand

• Published in: The Journal of Asian finance, economics, and business pp. 1067 - 1077
• Main Authors: Sunthorn BOONKAEW, Somnuk AUJIRAPONGPAN, Neeranat KAEWPRASERT RAKANGTHONG, Nattakorn POTIYA, Jaturon JUTIDHARABONGSE
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국유통과학회 01.06.2021
• Subjects: 경제학
• ISSN: 2288-4637; 2288-4645
• DOI: 10.13106/jafeb.2021.vol8.no6.1067

This research article surveyed international backpackers traveling to attend the Full Moon Party in Pha-Ngan Island, Thailand. The purposes of this research include 1) studying the behavior of international backpackers; 2) analyzing the level of international backpackers’ motivation, especially their push and pull factors; and 3) comparing the relationship between international backpackers’ characteristics and their behaviors and motivations. The participants in this research consisted of 300 international backpackers, who were 18 or above in age and purposefully travelled to attend the Full Moon Party in Pha-Ngan Island in Suratthani province. Data was collected using a survey and then was statistically tested using the chi-square method and Pearson’s correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05. The results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) indicated a total of 10 factors with 24 variables. These factors were classified into 4 push factors— 1) escape and novelty seeking, 2) feeling free, 3) opening up to the world, and 4) social needs—and 6 pull factors—1) partying, 2) uniqueness, 3) only for myself, 4) sea lover, 5) diversity, and 6) loner. It was observed that the personal factors of international backpackers were most closely related to their motivation factors (i.e., push and pull factors) and their travel behaviors at a significance level. KCI Citation Count: 0