PSDS Journal of Development Studies, Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Thammasat University

Editorial

2025-06-26T15:12:59+07:00

Responding to the Crisis: An Exploratory Study on the Role of Thai Volunteer Organizations in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals During COVID-19

2024-03-20T15:06:22+07:00

This study aims to examine the situation and roles of volunteer organizations in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the COVID-19 crisis. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research gathered data from volunteer organizations in Thailand, including those from the public sector, civil society, academic institutions, and private businesses. Quantitative data were collected from 42 organizations, alongside qualitative insights from focus group discussions with 15 organizations. The findings highlight the emergence of “professionalized volunteers” with specialized expertise, cross-regional mobility, and adaptability to online or hybrid formats. Most organizations (70.73%) reported that their volunteer activities aligned with the SDGs, particularly in the areas of health, education, and food security. Although levels of understanding of the SDGs varied, many organizations were able to meaningfully integrate the goals into their activities. Key enabling and limiting factors included collaboration with networks, funding sources, and related public policies. The research points to a future trend of volunteer work that emphasizes participation, proactive approaches, and greater use of digital technology, underscoring the strategic role of grassroots efforts in driving sustainable development in times of crisis.

Packaging Design for Cultural Products Based on Community Identity: A Case Study of Ban Baeng Silk Weaving Group

2025-04-08T10:42:20+07:00

This qualitative research aimed to design cultural product packaging and branding based on community identity. The case study was conducted in Ban Baeng Silk Weaving Group in Nong Luang Sub-district, Fao Rai District, Nong Khai Province. This community enterprise group possesses specialize in silk weaving; however, they lack packaging that clearly reflects their identity, which limits their opportunities for market expansion. The study employed concepts of cultural products, community packaging design, and community branding as its conceptual framework. Data was collected from 25 key informants, including members of the Ban Baeng Silk Weaving Group, local administrators, community leaders, local scholars, academics, and customers through in-depth individual interviews, focus group discussions, and non-participatory observation. The result of the study indicated that effective packaging design must emphasize community identity and product characteristics along with the participation of community stakeholders. The design should consist of four important components: (1) branding, (2) size and shape, (3) images and colors, and (4) positioning and design, which must align with community identity, culture, beliefs, as well as local narratives. The developed packaging received positive feedback from customers in terms of aesthetics, durability, and appropriateness as souvenirs, and clearly communicating product identity. This resulted in increased economic value and enhanced competitive potential of cultural products in a tangible manner.

A Study of Glass Bottle Waste Management by Change Leaders in Community of Koh Phayam, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province

2025-03-10T14:19:32+07:00

This research aims to develop Transformational Leadership in glass bottle waste management on Koh Phayam, Koh Phayam Subdistrict, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province, from 2022 to 2024, using a critical participatory action research approach. Researchers and participants collaboratively analyzed the glass bottle waste situation on Phayam Island, identified potential solutions, designed activities, and implemented measures appropriate to the island's context. The target group consisted of 30 residents of Koh Phayam. The study found that glass bottle waste had accumulated on the island for over 20 years, negatively impacting the island's image and tourist safety. Selling glass bottles for recycling was not cost-effective due to high transportation costs. Therefore, the appropriate management strategy for Koh Phayam involves milling the glass bottles and mixing them with cement to create products that support daily life and tourism activities, such as paving blocks, plant pots, and artificial reefs. This approach fosters Transformational Leadership in sustainable glass bottle waste management, creates jobs, generates income, and can serve as a model for other areas.

Approach to Addressing Poverty in a Comprehensive and Accurate Manner in Chiang Klom Subdistrict, Pak Chom District, Loei Province

2025-04-08T10:12:49+07:00

This research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, with the approval number H022/2564. The research findings aim to contribute to the country's Sustainable Development Goal of reducing poverty (No Poverty). The objectives are: 1) to study the poverty situation based on the comprehensive and precise poverty alleviation approach in Loei Province, and 2) to examine the comprehensive and precise poverty alleviation strategies in Chiang Klom Sub-district, Pak Chom District, Loei Province. This is a mixed-method study. The research tool is a standardized questionnaire from Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU A), analyzed using the PPP Connect software. For the qualitative research, focus group discussions were conducted. The population includes households that did not meet the criteria according to TPMAP data and the vulnerable group data from Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

The research findings are as follows 1) A total of 86.47% of the respondents completed the questionnaire. However, 13.53% of the questionnaires could not be analyzed due to reasons such as relocation, refusal to provide information, or the death of the household head. Most of the poor households in Loei Province are in a state of hardship, accounting for 44.17%. 2) The poverty alleviation strategies revealed strong cooperation from partner networks, resulting in the formation of a sub-district-level poverty alleviation working group. This group has been collaborating from the beginning, including data collection, screening poor households for development, planning operations, and conducting joint monitoring and evaluation.

A New Paradigm for Promoting Ethnic Diversity Awareness for 21st Century Learners

2025-04-08T10:58:44+07:00

The paradigm to promote awareness of ethnic diversity in the 21^st century is a way that focuses on creating knowledge that connects the experience of the learner. By integrating ethnic diversity into the teaching and learning process This approach helps reduce prejudiced ideas, creating a deep understanding between ethnic groups. And promote important skills that focus on changes from the traditional thinking frames that look at ethnicity or charter, including the recognized framework and value of the diversity deeply and systematically. It explains the main components of the new paradigm, consisting of 4 main concepts: pluralism, cultural equality, intercultural learning, and ethnic participation and voice. The 5 main characteristics are changing from knowledge-centered to learner-centered, changing from content-focused to integrated thinking, changing from stereotyped to accepting diversity, changing from rote learning to critical and creative learning, and changing from emphasizing technical efficiency to comprehensive human development, leading to the 6 steps of learning in the AECKRA Model: Awareness, Exploration & Dialogue, Critical Inquiry, Knowledge Construction, Action for Change, and Reflection & Evaluation with an active learning management approach for learners that can be applied in the education system, making learners have a positive attitude towards diversity. To have a deep understanding of different ethnic contexts, to be able to develop skills in living with others with respect and appreciation, and to be a citizen with social awareness, which is an important step towards creating a peaceful society that respects differences effectively.