RUSAMILAE JOURNAL

Editor’s Note

Samsoo Sa-U — 2025-08-22

Flowers at the Border: The Origin and Growth of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Over Half a Century (Final Part)

Pichet Saengthong — 2025-08-22

ความเติบโตของคณะมนุษยศาสตร์และ สังคมศาสตร์บนเส้นทางกาลเวลา 5 ทศวรรษนั้น แม้จะเป็นความเติบโตที่ควบคู่มากับการขยายตัวของ มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ดังที่ได้กล่าวมาแล้วใน ตอนที่ 1 แต่เมื่อพิจารณาจากบริบทชายแดนภาคใต้ ที่คณะยืนหยัดอยู่ ก็อาจกล่าวได้ว่า การเติบโตนี้มี ลมใต้ปีกที่สำคัญคือนโยบายของวิทยาเขตปัตตานี ที่ยอมรับเอาอัตลักษณ์วิทยาเขตทางศิลปศาสตร์ซึ่ง ศูนย์บริหารงานที่หาดใหญ่ได้คาดหมายว่าจะให้เป็น มาแต่ตัดั้งเดิม พอ ๆ กับการที่คณะมนุยศาสตร์และ สังคมศาสตร์ตระหนักถึงความสำคัญของรากฐาน ความรู้ด้านมนุษยศาสตร์และสังคมศาสตร์ที่ยังคงมี ความจำเป็นในการสร้างความรู้ ความเข้าใจ ตลอด จนความมั่นคงของชุมชนในชายแดนภาคใต้อันมี ประวัติศาสตร์ที่อ่อนไหวด้วย

The Development of KL Sentral Station and Its Surrounding Area in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia’s Central Rail Transportation Hub

Wailapat Prasitkhetkit — 2025-08-22

This study analyzes the development of KL Sentral, Malaysia’s central rail transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur, using the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) framework. It focuses on the management of land use surrounding the station and the resulting economic and social impacts. The research employs qualitative methodology, including document analysis and in-depth
interviews with stakeholders from the public sector, private enterprises, and local communities. Findings reveal that KL Sentral has successfully integrated multiple rail systems with commercial and residential zones, resulting in increased land value, expansion of the service sector, traffic mitigation, and behavioral shifts toward public transport usage. The development has also contributed to greater accessibility and improved quality of urban life. Nonetheless, challenges remain, particularly in terms of green space provision and inclusivity for vulnerable groups. The study suggests further development in urban infrastructure, affordable
housing, and smart city approaches to enhance KL Sentral as a model for sustainable urban hubs in the region

An Examination of Vulnerable Populations in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces Through the Framework of an Inclusive City That Leaves No One Behind

Direak Manmanah — 2025-08-22

This article presents the author’s perspective on vulnerable populations residing in the three southern border provinces of Thailand, through the concept of an inclusive city—a city that leaves no one behind. The discussion is based on the author’s role as a lecturer of the course 427-412 Sociology of Vulnerable Groups, an elective in the Sociology and Anthropology program at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus. It also draws upon student projects completed in this course during two academic terms: Semester 2/2023 and Semester 2/2024. The author’s understanding of the inclusive city has further been developed through participation in activities with the Media Center for Children and Youth (MCCY) over the past six years, which provided a solid grasp of the framework’s principles and ideas. This concept has been applied in teaching practices, particularly through “city walk” activities that allow students to learn from direct experiences. By observing and conversing with different social groups sharing the same spaces, students are encouraged to recognize and reflect on which groups may risk being overlooked or excluded from society.

Singapore’s Elderly Care Innovations: Fostering an Inclusive City with Technology and Compassion

Muhammadrorfee-E Musor — 2025-08-22

Singapore is experiencing rapid growth in its elderly population, prompting various sectors to prioritize addressing this issue through the development of dementia-friendly cities. This study examines the design process of a Dementia-Friendly Community innovation using a qualitative research approach, employing in-depth interviews with executives and community members in a case study to extract lessons learned, mechanisms, and success factors in promoting participation in community management. The findings reveal that the creation of the Dementia-Friendly Community innovation was initiated by the Nee Soon Town Council, which adopted policies from the Singaporean government and engaged the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society in both design and implementation. This innovation serves as a good example for other cities preparing to enter an aging society. Its key success factors are rooted in the application of the CARE Model—Community Engagement, Accessibility and Infrastructure, Responsive Services, and Empowerment through Participation. The project highlights the significant role of the community in designing and developing dementia-friendly environments and public services, ensuring public participation at every stage from design and development to evaluation, guided by the principles of Citizen-Centric Governance and the commitment to “No one left behind.”

Buddhism for all, not just for monks: Ideal society of Theravada Buddhism represented in Indonesian textbooks “Buddha’s biography for children”

Jesada Buaban — 2025-08-22

This paper investigates the interpretation and representation of Theravada Buddhism in Indonesia through an analysis of the books Buddha’s Biography for Children, published respectively by the monastic group Sangha Theravada Indonesia (STI) and the lay scholars of the Ehipassiko Foundation. Using textual analysis as the research method, the data are conceptualized within the framework of ‘Engaged Buddhism’. The findings reveal that Sangha Theravada Indonesia, influenced by Thai Theravada Buddhism and Wat Bowornives Vihara, represents Theravada values by positioning monks at the center of Buddhist society, whereas the lay scholars ground their narratives in the Pali scriptures and decentralize the leading role of monks. In essence, while the monastic group seeks to preserve the charismatic image of the Buddha and monks, the lay scholars reinterpret Buddhism by portraying the Buddha as an ordinary person engaged in social welfare, thereby aligning Buddhist representation with the needs and values of modern society.

An Inclusion Project of Collaborating Agrotourism and Performing Arts in Improving the Economy of the Setara Nanggalo Community

Nerosti — 2025-08-22

Nagari Setara Nanggalo, with its hilly geographical landscape, comprises 137,903 hectares of rice fields and 187 hectares of citrus agro-tourism that has been cultivated since 2015. However, since 2019 the orange yield has declined due to frequent flooding that damaged the crops. Apart from farming, the community is also actively engaged in traditional performing arts, where the development of Randai art, Salawat Dulang, and Ilau traditional dance originated. Through PPNB, a solution was introduced by integrating agro-tourism with performing arts, not only to serve as entertainment but also as a professional livelihood that strengthens the local economy, with farmers performing as professional paid artists when not working in the fields. This study involved three groups of respondents: (i) male farmers producing liquid organic fertilizer (POC), (ii) female farmers trained in embroidery, and (iii) teenagers offering packaged dance and Master of Ceremony (MC) services for weddings and events. Using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method, the community actively engaged in problem-solving through group discussions and collaborative activities, which resulted in: (i) successful processing and distillation of Titonia leaves into liquid organic fertilizer by the male farmer groups, (ii) embroidery skills mastery among the women farmers/PKK group, and (iii) professional-level performance skills in Randai, dance, and MC services among the youth group. The findings show that all three groups achieved 100% skill proficiency in their respective fields, highlighting the potential of combining agriculture, tourism, and cultural arts as sustainable economic drivers for the community.

The Development of Public Transportation Models for Older Adults in Accessing Healthcare Services in Urban Communities of Pattani Province

อ้อมใจ วงษ์มณฑา — 2025-08-22

The National Statistical Office projects that by 2030, the proportion of older adults in Thailand will rise to 26.9 percent of the total population (Department of Mental Health, 2023). While systems such as public health and health insurance have been prepared in advance, an equally crucial factor in improving quality of life is ensuring mobility that is convenient, safe, and equitable, meeting the daily activity needs of all age groups. Many older adults must rely on public transportation for their daily routines, yet they often face difficulties because the current system does not adequately address their needs, creating barriers to accessing hospitals and other health services. Furthermore, there is still no specific policy emphasizing public transportation services tailored for the elderly. Therefore, studying the travel patterns of older adults in Thailand has become an urgent priority.