Thammasat Journal

The Relationship of the Political Reforms Toward the Industrial Development of Myanmar from 2011-2020

Sasinan Kruaechaipinit — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to analyze the impact of the political reforms of Myanmar on the country’s industrial development from 2011-2020. The qualitative research methodology is applied to understand Myanmar’s industrial transitions during this period by dividing them into two parts. The first part is the study of the research-related documents to understand the problems, changes, and all possible consequences. The second part involves collecting data from field research in five industrial zones in Myanmar.

The results show that during 2011-2020, Myanmar continued to prioritize state power in formulating and implementing policies to drive industrialization through economic zone and special economic zone development mechanisms. Myanmar has strengths in natural resources that can generate income for the country and an opportunity to be a strategic point

connecting Southeast Asia with other regions in Asia. However, there are weaknesses of the country in using the state to lead the market, the transparency of the economic reform process, and labor productivity that is still inefficient, and the quality of human capital is low, which requires the quality of labor to be upgraded to respond to the industrial sector. Furthermore, in the post-military coup since 1 February 2021, Myanmar has been missing the key elements that have hindered industrial reform, namely political instability, and lack of political party

independence. The Myanmar army has de facto power over the state and infiltrates many important organizations in various sectors of the economy. There is a lack of transparency in government organizations and state enterprises and the problem of compliance with human rights principles towards ethnic groups. If Myanmar could overcome these obstacles and challenges and try to maintain its strengths and search for existing opportunities, the country could have become a new economic hub for ASEAN.

State, Capitalism and Social Structure: The Obstacles of Raising the Minimum Wage in Thailand

Dharndhanate Punndhanamahakarune — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Much of the research relating to the minimum wage is presented by mainly two perspectives of economists: the proponents support the minimum wage increase and the opponents disagree with it. Those economists, nevertheless, pay attention only to the impacts of raising the minimum wage while overlook the study of state, capitalism and the social form (structure) which can be obstacles or opportunities for the increase of minimum wage. This research, therefore, will examine state, capitalism and social structure from the perspective of political economy, which is the force determining the economic structure of society. The main argument of this research proposes that the form of labour is not the essence of capitalism; conversely, capitalism needs a social form of wage labour. In such a society, workers are dominated, oppressed, and exploited, e.g. exploitation of wages and welfare, and the exploitation is transferred into profits to the capitalists in full measure. For this reason, the wage labour society is the form of society that the capitalists aspire to construct and stabilize as long as possible, and in which the “surplus value” is appropriated by the capitalists. The results of the study show that: firstly, the state and the capitalists are the key variables for the minimum wage adjustment, and secondly, the state and the capitalists play an important role in structuring the social form.

Search and (In)Visibility in e-Commerce Platforms: A Case Study of Consumables

Supruet Thavornyutikarn, Puree Sirasoontorn — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

e-Commerce platforms impose search frictions of many variations on their users - end users or consumers in particular - in order to create information bottleneck, gain market power through the control of information visibility, and become attention oligopoly. This paper collected data from 10,080 records searching for 21 products across 7 categories of consumables on the two largest e-Commerce platforms in Thailand. The search keywords results reveal only 15 percent of designated products matched consumer searches, and those products, on average, are ranked sixth (out of 1 to 10). Moreover, platforms use (in)visibility for some products and discriminate against users on their dedicated platforms. Geographical discrimination in the display of search results is also evident. Price differences for consumables, which generally range from 7.72 percent cheaper than the average retail price to 8.47 percent more expensive than the average retail price, are significantly intensified on platforms. They are priced 91.72 percent cheaper than the average retail price and a staggering 573.12 percent more expensive than the average retail price, signifying their tremendous abilities to influence prices. Regulations on platforms should seriously consider how to regulate platforms’ abilities to control information shown to their users.

Elderly Schools: The Quality of Life and Physical Fitness of the Elderly in Northeast Thailand (A Case Study of Elderly Schools in Uthai Sawan Sub-district, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Na Mueang Sub-district Municipality, Roi Et Province, and Tabao Sub-dist

Uraiwan Runghairun — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The objectives of the research were to study conduct comparative study of the level of quality of life and physical fitness among the elderly with different periods of participation in the elderly school. This research used a quantitative approach with the researcher adopting the Thai version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREFTHAI) and the Elderly Physical Fitness Assessment from the Department of Physical Education. The sample group consisted of 279 elders who participated in the activities at three specifically selected elderly schools: Uthai Sawan Sub-district Elderly School in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Na Mueang Sub-district Municipality Elderly School in Roi Et Province, and Tabao Sub-district Elderly School in Surin Province.

The study results showed that the majority of the samples were female (85.3%) with more than one-third aged 70 years and above. Nearly all of them (92%) completed primary education and 68.7% worked as farmers. Their monthly incomes were below 1,000 baht (51%), and more than half relied on elderly pensions as their main source of income Regarding health, 54.55% of the participants had chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc., but 41.6% had normal Body Mass Index (BMI). In terms of engagement, more than one-third had participated in elderly school activities for more than 3 years with most regularly attending such activities. In addition, the study found that the elderly had a moderate quality of life and good mental health. However, the assessment results of their physical fitness indicated that most had poor physical fitness. Nonetheless, it was found that the elderly, who attended the schools for 3 years had better quality of life and physical fitness compared to those with shorter attendance periods, with statistical significance at the .05 level.

Community Economy Management for Improving Living Standards of Silk Weavers in Silk Weaving Village, Surin Province

Akkharadet Suphannafai, Phannika Kongjuk, Siwaporn Phayakkanant — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The research aims to 1) study the management system of silk weaving community 2) to testify the influence of community economic management on quality of life of silk weavers, and 3) to find an appropriate management approach for community economy to improve the quality of life of silk weavers . The research was conducted in Sawai Subdistrict, Mueang Surin District. Surin Province. lt employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods to collect data from silk weavers, community leaders, representatives of government officials and academics in the weavers’ development. Purposive sampling was utilized, and data was collected through interview questionairses, interview forms, and small group discussions.

The results the study demonstrated that 50% of households in Sawai Subdistrict are associated with skill weaving industries, which plays an essential role in the economy of weave’s household’s Overall there was a high level of opinion regarding economic management and income across various aspects,except for the production and product development, which ware rated at a moderate level. In addition, opinions about the quality of life of weavers were generally rated at the highest level in all aspects, and community economic management was found te significatly affect the quality of life of weavers in all aspects.

A Model of Consumer Rights Protection via Ethics Marketing Communication Affecting Purchasing Decision of Online Consumers

Pongsakorn Chunphiphatphong, Kavin Katanyutaveetip, Prin Laksitamas — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The research aimed at studying a model of consumer rights protection via ethics marketing communication affecting the purchasing decision of online consumers. It used a survey research approach with Structural Equation Modeling. (SEM). Questionnaires were constructed as the research tool for collecting data from 884 online consumers. The research findings indicated that the developed model of consumer rights protection via ethics marketing communication channels affecting the purchasing decision of online consumers had validity and predictive ability at a good level with acceptability at 84.7%. At a statistical significance level of 0.05, the researchers found that the right to be safe, the right to receive information, the right to be free to buy, the right to be fair in contracting and the right to be compensated for damages had a causal relationship with ethics marketing communication. Furthermore, the right to be safe, the right to receive information, the right to be free to buy, the right to be fair in contracting, the right to be compensated for damages, and ethics marketing communication had a causal relationship with affecting the purchasing decision of online consumers.

Creation of Value and Service Development Through the Creative Skills of Hotel Employees

Charoenchai Agmapisarn, Panuwat Somboonying — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

As the accommodation business has begun to change during the COVID-19 outbreak, hotels have been directly affected. Due to the emergence of a wide range of accommodation choices, the hotel business needs to impress customers by encouraging creative skills amongst their staff. Employees need to develop service skills at the heart of the hotel business to create value. This research aims to study “Increasing service value” through the creative skills of hotel employees using a qualitative research methodology involving 21 hotel managers in Bangkok using a phenomenological approach. The study found that improving the service skills of hotel staff through creative skills can create a competitive advantage in business operations which will lead to a better level of service. Creative skills are classified as 1) skills to create a memorable experience for the customer 2) service mindset 3) professional skills and 4) language and communication skills. To respond to the needs of customers in new ways, creating a memorable experience for customers can raise value of service through employee training. In addition, the development of creative skills for hotel staff in a department can lead to having an efficient service. Also practicing in action can create efficiency during work and transfer creative service skills to employees, by sharing their experiences. This would provide good guidelines for preventing mistakes occurring in the future.

Potentiality in Business Cooperation in Halal Food Business between Thailand and Malaysia

Supannee Keawchaum, Chirat Keawchaum — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Thailand and Malaysia have high potential to compete in the halal food industry. Thailand’s advantages are a wealth of raw materials, standardized production process, and a diverse range of high-quality foods. Malaysia’s strengths are distribution and marketing. The objectives of this qualitative research are to 1) examine and evaluate the existing halal food industry cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia and 2) exploring the potential for developing such cooperation. A total of 203 informants were collected. Data were gathered through document analyses, interviews, focus groups, and observation. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. The results regarding the first objective revealed that the government cooperation in a policy that has not yet been implemented in practice. However, it was discovered that private sector collaboration has led to concrete actions, including Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) agreements, distribution through distributors, cross-border trade, and financial support. Based on historical and current developments, collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia in the halal food industry is uncertain. The results regarding the second objective revealed that considering the future trend in fostering international collaboration of both the regional and global levels, Thailand and Malaysia cannot resist working together in the halal food industry. Suggestions include proactive marketing and public relations based on the benefits of Thai halal food, increasing halal tourist potential by promoting Thai cuisine, and proactive efforts by pertinent organizations to respond to the expansion of halal food industry.

The Hindu Paradigm and the Buddhist Identity: A Case Study of the Absorption of Buddhist Identity in Bodhgaya

Sumalee Mahanarongchai — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This research article studies the causes leading to the fall and the disappearance of Buddhism in India during the 3rd-12th century. The result shows that the persecution of monks and the demolition of Buddhist temples at that time were not the main and significant causes. Instead, the significant cause was the devaluation of Buddhist identity resulting from the operation of the Hindu paradigm which supported the caste system, theology, and hierarchical structure of ruling power. The endeavor to overcome tribal intruders from outside since the reign of Gupta had led to the construction of cultural unity in order to establish the identity of mainland residents and promote the ruler’s legitimate power over the land. The Hindu paradigm in its early stage used absorption strategies through methods such as appropriation, inclusion, replacement and persecution. These methods were closely associated with the rise of the Puraṇas and the cults of Vaiṣṇavism and Śaivism. Also, granted by kings and Brahmins, these methods had been exerted at Bodhgaya by both Buddhist and Hindu followers. However, Buddhist followers were not quite successful in applying these strategies and methods while Hindu followers were very successful in doing so.

The Interpretation of Dasakantha in Modern Thai Songs in year 1957-2017

Tubtim Saliang — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The objectives of this article were (1) to study how Dasakantha was mentioned in modern Thai songs from 1957 to 2017 and (2) to interpret music composers’ perspectives on Dasakantha. The findings revealed that the contents of the songs were divided into two periods : around the beginning of 1957-2002 and 2006-2017. The contents shared in both periods were the role of Dasakantha as depected in the literature, including the idnapping of Sita and flirtation. The contents that appeared only in each period are the events that did not appear in the literature criticism of the character’s behavior in the period around the beginning of 1975-2002 was about deceitfulness. However, in 2006-2017, Dasakantha’s behaviors were characterized by faithfulness in love, dedication to love, and humility of being just a giant. The interpretation of the Dasakantha’s character around the beginning of 1957-2002 presented a much worse image than that portrayed in the literature. Meanwhile the interpretation of the character after 2006 was more understandable and sympathetic to his actions than before. The popularity of Dasakantha in modern Thai song for over half century showed that the relationship between people in society and Dasakantha was not just a literary reader or a music listener with a character in literature but people also had tactfully linked their own feelings with Dasakantha’s character.