ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Sonia Will]

Hi it was interesting to read your review about the climate change issue and governments not giving it enough attention.
It reinforces what was in our training about the government spending big money on Bangkok the more common tourist destination and not much on the rural countryside of villagers who are often living in poverty.
I like the idea of them offering homestay accommodation to help provide tourist with the reality of their situation and perhaps raise awareness of their plight so that may in turn influence government spending in Thailand and increase spending on these poor rural villages.

[Oznur Bedi]

Hello,
My name is Öznur Bedi, and I am from Istanbul, Turkey. I graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature, and I have been pursuing my passion for teaching for the past ten years. Throughout this time, I have had the opportunity to work in various educational settings, including high schools and university preparatory programs.I have decided to embark on a new chapter of my journey — teaching in Thailand. This adventure represents not only a professional step but also a heartfelt desire to immerse myself in the rich and diverse Asian culture, which I have long admired but never experienced firsthand.I am well aware of adapting to a new language and culture may bring its challenges; however, I truly believe these experiences will broaden my perspective, enrich my teaching, and help me connect more deeply with the local community.

[Oznur Bedi]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/people/3117788/thai-teenager-uses-creativity-to-drive-social-change
This article is about a Thai teenager who uses her creativity to drive social change. Aim Wanglee is using creativity to break barriers and drive meaningful change, focusing on child labour protection. Thailand has successfully strengthened its efforts to combat the worst forms of child labour, achieving a “Significant Advancement” rating — the highest level ever received on the international stage — according to the 2024 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labour report by the US Department of Labor, marking the first time since 2017 that the country has moved up from a moderate to the top tier.

[Oznur Bedi]

It is a very nice article, Kassandra. I really enjoyed reading your piece about the success of Thai women and the challenges they face in politics. It was inspiring to see how Thai women are taking their place in society and maintaining their success, serving as a great example for the younger generation.

[Jack Aiolos]

This article was very interesting to me because I see this type of thing happen in the United States where people are harming themselves by going to unlicensed and cheap places to ge things like veneers to change the appearance of their teeth but have life changing consequences. This of course due to them feeling insecure but reading the article I can understand how thai people feel more insecure by their looks by not only the media but also those around them and maybe feeling pressured to get surgery if their friends or family have done it. This is a fascinating article to read.

[Jack Aiolos]

This article was very interesting to me because I see this type of thing happen in the United States where people are harming themselves by going to unlicensed and cheap places to ge things like veneers to change the appearance of their teeth but have life changing consequences. This of course due to them feeling insecure but reading the article I can understand how thai people feel more insecure by their looks by not only the media but also those around them and maybe feeling pressured to get surgery if their friends or family have done it. This is a fascinating article to read.

https://minimore.com/b/xDkir/1

[Sonia Will]

Elementary School Teacher Caught After Years of Abusing Students

While this unfortunately talks about the dark side of Thailand, this article from Destiny Rescue’s website caught my attention because I work in the area of child protection here in Australia, and of course it is relevant to me exploring my work as a teacher in Thailand. While it was a disturbing read, it also provided some hope for victims and people trying to stop this evil of child sexual abuse.
It was reassuring to read that multiple agencies across the world work together and are “eager to end the abuse, the collaborating teams of law enforcement and supporting NGOs” move quickly to locate and arrest perpetrators and stop the online distribution of “child sexual abuse material (CSAM)”.
I was also impressed of the way these agencies then also find and support the victims of these crimes using technology, which also helps to reduce the trauma on these investigators. “The team was able to make use of a powerful new AI-driven tool called CaseScan. This system quickly scans devices for CSAM, pulls images of children being abused, organises them based on facial markers, blurs explicit sections of the images and presents the findings to investigators in minutes. Victim identification happens faster than ever, without the crushing mental and emotional toll our investigators used to bear”.
We all have a role in protecting children and helping stop this abuse especially from people taking advantage of their power and trust of children such as this teacher did.

[Trecia White]

Cheyenne,
I read your article & Summary and gave a big Kudos to the police department for doing their job. Often times not only in our own countries but internationally as well we see more of the corrupt police that are usually the ones funneling the drugs into the country and their own communities. It’s nice to see that they are stepping up to stop the stereo-types to show they are against the drugs & corruption being funneled into their country as well.

[Trecia White]

Trecia L. White
Assignment2: Article Analysis
https://www.thaienquirer.com/62386/thailand-faces-1-64-million-vacant-homes-experts-urge-government-action/

This article is regarding Thailand’s surplus of vacant homes that coexists with affordability issues and is now being called for policy changes to have these empty homes moved to active use. Currently there is approximately 1.64million vacant residential homes that are currently unoccupied and are move-in ready worth about THB 3.45 trillion, with over 730,000 of these homes located in Bangkok alone. Currently Condos make up most of the empty units, with a current vacancy rate of 20-25% in Bangkok.
The main causes of these homes are over-building and under-selling—The developed & builders anticipated a strong demand for occupancy and once these homes were completed they realized they had created more supply than actual real residential demands. This has now led to what is being called an economic waste, which is weakening the cash flow of the developers and does not meet the demands of the people that are still needing affordable housing. Many experts after seeing these stagging numbers are urging the government to intervene to take action and impose a Vacancy Tax or higher property tax for all of these unoccupied units. This will align better with the reality of Supply & Demand that will eventually create a better monitoring system for affordability and housing occupancy.
This article while not specifically relating to me but holds the same issues that is currently happening to many of the residents here in Jacksonville, FL. There is currently and influx of unoccupied homes, buildings etc. that have been boarded up for years & unused in the downtown areas. That is one of the major things I noticed when I first moved here several years ago and could not understand why they were not being used for the good of the communities. Unlike Thailand that Developers over-built & undersold I believe many of the buildings were just left to the community which then over the years also saw a huge influx of homelessness for which these many buildings and homes could be used to house the community. They have remained boarded up and unused for now over 10+years and there seems to be no end in sight as to what will be done in the future with these properties. At least the article states that experts are urging the government to get involved to start imposing vacancy & higher property taxes which should lead to eventually having many of these properties taken off the market and becoming a forever home to a family that needs it.

[Maddie Ellice]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3134058/bangkoks-clean-streets-empty-souls?tbref=hp
The article describes how certain streets in Bangkok that once thrived with mixed‑use neighbourhood life—shops downstairs, residences upstairs, daily hustle and bustle—have become visually clean and orderly but in a sense emotionally empty. It uses the example of the neighbourhood of Banthat Thong where restaurant, bookstore, hardware and tailor services used to intermingle, and life unfolded in layers.
The writer argues that the push by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to “clean up” streets and sidewalks, remove street‑vendors, and sanitise public spaces is in danger of eliminating the character, spontaneity, and economic livelihood of the locals living there. In other words, the spaces may look better—but they feel less alive. The article points out that while the city becomes more orderly, it may also become less inclusive and less hospitable to lower‑income residents who depended upon informal economy, and less vibrant for anyone who appreciates the layered urban life that made Bangkok unique. I found this really interesting, especially with the prospect of living in Thailand, as it makes me consider my role; how you interact with the community, what kinds of businesses and vendors you engage with, and whether you support initiatives that favour local livelihoods and cultural richness rather than purely tourist‑friendly redevelopment.
The article reminds us that urban “improvement” is not just about cleanliness and order—it’s also about maintaining the social fabric and soul of a city where people live their lives, not just stroll through as tourists.

[Maddie Ellice]

I found it really eye-opening how Thailand has such a large number of vacant homes, especially condos in Bangkok, while many people still struggle to find affordable housing. I was particularly struck by the comparison to other cities, like where I live, where empty buildings sit unused for years and contribute to homelessness. It makes me wonder how effective policies like a vacancy tax would be in practice—would it really encourage developers to make these homes available, or could there be unintended consequences? Either way, it highlights the importance of balancing urban development with social responsibility and community needs.

[Helena Kamil]

https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/whats-happening-to-miss-universe-2025-heres-how-the-drama-unfolded/59445

This article discusses what happened during a kickoff to the 2025, 74th Miss Universe on November 4th, in Bangkok. There was a confrontation between Miss Universe Thailand national director Nawat Itsaragrisil and Mexico’s contestant Fatima Bosch. He ended up calling her “dumb” and while standing to defend herself, she was escorted out. After the incident, some contestants proceeded to walk out in support of Fatima, including Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark while saying it was “beyond disrespectful”.

Fatima, according to a Philstar.com report, later told the media, she “admired Thailand and its people” but said the situation went against the pageant’s message of empowering women and “if it takes away your dignity, you need to go”. The Miss Universe Organization president also made a statement saying his actions were “public aggression and serious abuse”. It has also been confirmed that Nawat’s access will now be restricted or revoked. Many sponsors have backed out as a result. Nawat later issued an apology stating he had been under a lot pressure, he is human and that he did not mean any harm and had respect for all.

I first found this article to be interesting because the pageant is around when we will all be arriving to Bangkok and is one of the largest beauty contests around the world. Then after reading, I realized how closely it tied to something very important in Thai culture and with me, respect for others. Being a woman, it made me think about how it would feel to be in that situation or to witness it being in Thailand. It also made me wonder what the people of Thailand thought or how it may look for the organization. It was refreshing that Nawat apologized and reminded everybody we are humans that have bad days. I wonder if people are more upset or understanding of this situation. Hopefully lessons are learned from this and the show can continue peacefully.

[Helena Kamil]

This is always hard to read about but this article also had a lot of hope for prevention. It is mind blowing awful things can not only happen but for how long they sometimes go on unnoticed or swept under the rug. Sadly mostly by people children should be able to trust. Like you said in your post, that we all have a roll in protecting children but especially as future teachers. It is also great in knowing they have all that technology to help and are making it a priority because it absolutely is. This article was relevant for the work we will be doing for extra precautions and general awareness.

• This reply was modified 6 months ago by Helena Kamil.

[Grace Torres]

Thai Street Food: Preference and Behaviors of Food Tourists
Article Summary and Main Findings
The article, “Thai street food in the fast growing global food tourism industry: Preference and behaviors of food tourists,” explores the factors that attract international travelers to consume Thai street food and how those factors influence their future behavioral intentions (like visiting again or recommending it). The research identified different dimensions of street food attributes that tourists prioritize, including cultural and local experiences, menu and atmosphere, staff service, and core food characteristics (taste, quality). Through surveys data from international tourists, the study confirmed that these attributes to positive tourist behaviors.
A central finding of the research is that the cultural experience and food sensory appeal are powerful drivers, confirming that tourists are drawn not just by the taste but by the immersive social setting and authenticity of the street food scene. The study also investigates the role of perceived risks (such as hygiene concerns) and found that this variable can potentially moderate the positive relationship between street food attributes and traveler behavior. Ultimately, the paper concludes that recognizing and enhancing these specific dimensions—particularly focusing on the unique cultural experience and ensuring high food quality—is crucial for boosting Thailand’s competitive advantage in the booming global food tourism market.
Relation to Traveling to, or Living in, Thailand (Prospective Teacher/Resident)
The findings of this article are highly relevant to me as someone traveling to Thailand with the intent of living and working there. The study’s focus on cultural and local experiences and repurchase intentions directly aligns with the need for long-term integration. As a prospective teacher, I will be working closely with Thai colleagues and students, and sharing meals—especially accessible street food—is a primary means of building rapport and participating in daily life outside the school environment. Embracing the street food culture is not just a leisure activity; it’s a necessary social lubricant that facilitates deeper connection and shows respect for the local lifestyle.
Furthermore, living on a teaching salary requires being financially savvy. The high affordability and accessibility of street food (implied by its popularity and role in the economy) mean it will be my primary, budget-friendly meal source, making my employment economically sustainable. The article’s emphasis on perceived risks is also crucial: to make street food a daily staple, I must quickly learn how to identify vendors with good hygiene to maintain my health and reliability as an employee. Ultimately, mastering the street food scene moves beyond “tourist behavior” and becomes a fundamental component of my successful professional and social establishment as an expatriate teacher in Thailand.
Source Link: ScienceDirect
Article Title: Thai street food in the fast growing global food tourism industry: Preference and behaviors of food tourists
URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1447677020302357?via%3Dihub

[Grace Torres]

That’s a really fascinating article on Makruk! Your enthusiasm for finding local players and diving into the cultural side of the game is awesome—it’s exactly the kind of deep dive that makes travel so rewarding. I was totally surprised to learn that the Thai version of chess has such major differences, especially with the pawn setup and the queen being the weakest piece. It sounds like a much more strategic, slower endgame-focused version, just as described.

[Author]

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