ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Tia Daniel]

Article: https://www.cleverthai.com/is-family-important-for-thais/

This article explores the importance of family life and culture within Thailand. It explains the typical dynamics of the ‘patriarchal’ Thai family where the male lead of the household typically has a more dominant role within the family. This concept is interesting to me as in Western culture, especially in today’s current climate, there is more encouragement for men and women to be more equal and make collaborative decisions within a household. The article describes the typical Thai household as having a mother, father and children living under one roof. This highlights to me that Thailand highly values the importance of having a family unit all living together to encourage the notion of having a strong support system. It also shows that parents are able to consistently nurture their children into responsible adults as well as children being able to show respect to their parents.
The concept of Thai families is very endearing to me as I am someone who places a lot of value onto the importance of family. Though certain aspects may not be completely the same, the overall idea of honouring family without expecting anything in return, NamjaiI is something that I would try to practice as much as possible within my family as I believe doing what is right for others does not require any reward. During my travels to Thailand, I know that it will be a very big adjustment for me not having family members close by to lean on however I do feel that being away from them will allow me to gain more appreciation for being around them so often as well as learning different ways that I can adapt Thai family values into my own life.

[Tia Daniel]

I love this outlook on making the big step and moving to somewhere completely new without knowing what the potential consequences will be! This is something that resonates with me also and has made me quite nervous in my decisions however knowing that other black women are able to make the change successfully is truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing this article 🙂

[Nia Franklin]

Article
Insights into the Buddha’s First Sermon (Asalha Puja Day) and its Relevance for Modern Life:

The central focus of this article is Buddha’s first sermon and its impact on modern religious and cultural practices, highlighting the celebratory custom of Asalha Puja Day. The author begins by giving readers a brief history of the sectarian practices in India that prefaced Buddha’s teachings and walks us through his early years as Prince Siddhattha – the catalyst – that would give rise to the renowned Buddha, who attained enlightenment himself and empowered others to strive for and teach others.

The author zooms in on the heart of Buddha’s teachings, The Noble 8 Fold Path -encouraging its devotees to live a life of balance- and The For Noble Truths that serves as the foundational basis of his teachings that theoretically in practice will lead to the dissolvement of human suffering and true transcendence from the cyclic nature of material existence.

He further breaks down each principle to show their interdependent workings and how these teachings exclusively contributed to the inception of Asalha Puja, a day of communion, devotion, and sacrament.

In closing, the author sheds light on how Buddha taught 84,000 textual units by making his teachings relatable, inclusive, specific, adaptable, contextual, comprehensive, expansive, and experimental.

He concludes and speaks to the idea of a world where all peoples practice the teachings of Buddha – specifically – The Four Noble Truths in their daily lives as a means to problem solve and overcome the challenges that come with the fluidity of life. I agree with this sentiment. These principles are applicable to all stations of life and in any situation.

[Nia Franklin]

Article
Insights into the Buddha’s First Sermon (Asalha Puja Day) and its Relevance for Modern Life:

The central focus of this article is Buddha’s first sermon and its impact on modern religious and cultural practices, highlighting the celebratory custom of Asalha Puja Day. The author begins by giving readers a brief history of the sectarian practices in India that prefaced Buddha’s teachings and walks us through his early years as Prince Siddhattha – the catalyst – that would give rise to the renowned Buddha, who attained enlightenment himself and empowered others to strive for and teach others.

The author zooms in on the heart of Buddha’s teachings, The Noble 8 Fold Path -encouraging its devotees to live a life of balance- and The For Noble Truths that serves as the foundational basis of his teachings that theoretically in practice will lead to the dissolvement of human suffering and true transcendence from the cyclic nature of material existence.

He further breaks down each principle to show their interdependent workings and how these teachings exclusively contributed to the inception of Asalha Puja, a day of communion, devotion, and sacrament.

In closing, the author sheds light on how Buddha taught 84,000 textual units by making his teachings relatable, inclusive, specific, adaptable, contextual, comprehensive, expansive, and experimental.

He concludes and speaks to the idea of a world where all peoples practice the teachings of Buddha – specifically – The Four Noble Truths in their daily lives as a means to problem solve and overcome the challenges that come with the fluidity of life. I agree with this sentiment. These principles are applicable to all stations of life and in any situation.

[Catharine Clark]

I found it very useful reading the article and your analysis of it. It will be informative for me as a new TEFL teacher in Thailand. it has helped me understand why the government has sought to decentralise education and the statistics were very helpful in the article in breaking down educational institutions. I found it interesting that Bangkok has a high percentage of private kindergarten providers. Your synopsis was thorough, providing an overview of the article content, it has provided a framework for me for Thai educatioon and set the scene for progressive educational development which allows regions to manage their own education strategies.

[Catharine Clark]

CoralreefrestorationprojectsinThailand.PDF
The article examines 251 reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand and 169 sites in the Andaman Sea, the research was conducted by the Department of Fisheries between 1995 and 1998. It highlights threats to coral reefs in areas of marine tourism, added to by the destruction of dynamite fishing, sedimentation and wastewater pollution, and finally jetty building which has resulted in seagrass degradation. The article proceeds to note Thailand’s first tsunami in 2004 and its impact on coral reefs, illustrated in coral mortality rates amongst various coral species.
On a more encouraging note it goes onto describe the initial development of coral transplantation techniques and public participation in various projects, or Citizen Science movement. Further figures show improvements in reef habitats nine years after reef planting schemes were introduced. What I find encouraging about this article is how it mentions youth education of marine ecology and I feel this, along with statistical evidence of coral re-growth, are positive features of future reef survival.
Although the article is somewhat dated it does provide longitudinal evidence of reef planting schemes and is an inspiration for future marine work to restore these beautiful natural reef habitats in Thailand.
(Note: I chose this article because I am particularly interested in getting involved with reef replanting with Ko Tao Simple Divers and it has been beneficial to have a background for this activity)

[Daniel Credgington]

Related Article – https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2508319/fall-in-shark-numbers-worrying
‘Fall in shark numbers ‘worrying” – Bangkok Post
Thailand boasts 87 different species of sharks, however of that 87, 75 are listed as endangered due to overfishing and poaching. The endangered list of native sharks in Thailand includes Whale sharks, Leopard sharks, Hammerhead sharks and Bull sharks.
The declining trend of shark populations in Thailand is very concerning , in 2003 a report was conducted by the Department of Fisheries in which a total of 14,409 tones of sharks were caught, this fell a dramatic 90 percent to just 1,424 in 2011. This trend continued into the most recent study in 2018 in which just 419 tones of sharks were caught in Thai waters. Around one million sharks are caught every year across the world, with a huge 75 percent of this number being due to shark fin industry, in which the fins of certain sharks are cut off, due to them being a delicacy in certain parts of Asia. Often this involves leaving the remainder of the shark body untouched, often discarding the rest of the animal.
Action is being made to slow this trend down however, in an attempt to bring some stability to shark numbers in Thai waters, The Department of Fisheries have started a five year long national plan. Beginning in 2020 and ending 2024, sharks will be tracked, with biological data being recorded and shark preservation networks being put into place, evaluating ways to eliminate threats that the fishing industry has on the shark population. Time will tell if shark numbers begin to increase in Thailand, however the statistics mentioned above reflected a worrying worldwide trend in which sharks face decreasing habitats, food supplies and numbers.

[Daniel Credgington]

Hi Kate!
Really interesting article and a great summary. I find it interesting to hear about the possible future of Thailands education system and the directions it can go in, especially being an aspiring teacher myself. Technology is such an integral and innate part of the modern world, and that is reflected by contemopary western education too in my experience. It seems natural to rely on technology further in an educational setting too, as this is the way for many industries. Also as the article mention younger people are more and more familiar and reliant with technology, so in terms of engagement it seems like a great tool in a classroom.

[Matthew Wallwork]

Article: Elevating art on the global stage (bangkokpost.com)
The article explores how the arts are going to be one of eleven industries to be improved, nurtured and developed by the Thailand Creative content agency (THACCA). This article resonated with me specifically as a qualified drama teacher because the arts has been such an integral part of my life and giving me a platform through which I can express myself in different mediums. In addition to this, through the power initiative One Family One Soft Power (OFOS), it’s evident Thailand are looking to give creative young people with potential and talent the best opportunities possible to be successful within the country and are even willing to assign four trillion baht annually towards the initiative. These are some great strides forward for Thailand, furthermore the fact they are searching for 20 million people from 20 million different households whether they are children, adults or the elderly it gives anyone with creative talents belief that their current situation could change. From what I have read about Thailand so far, it feels as though Bangkok is the industrial and modern powerhouse where everyone who wants to be anyone must be in order to be successful. This initiative gives those who perhaps haven’t had the opportunity in the past a chance to showcase their talents to a wider audience.
This connects with me personally as a visitor because if the arts industry gets opportunities to grow and expand, it gives me more opportunities to see drama, art and literature related to Thailand’s interesting past and fascinating culture. Seeing these stories being told through such a magical experience as the arts not only gives the viewer more context regarding Thailand but also gives them the feeling that they have lived that experience themselves. Through my own experience, I have learnt so much more about a topic, place or idea by seeing it within this context. I believe this financial support of arts and creative programmes provides so much potential for Thailand to showcase it’s history, culture and lifestyle to the rest of the world. The fact I will be entering Thailand at a time at which the arts industry is looking to soar fills me with joy.

[Matthew Wallwork]

Hi Tia, This is such a great outlook on the traditional Thai family values and I feel there is so much we can take from the ideologies instilled within Thai families and instil them into my western culture and it would definitely make a positive difference. Looking at it from another angle however, not being so stoically stuck to our families side has given us the opportunity to be able to go abroad and teach/work in a completely new place with a new language, culture and environment. I see these experiences we have to be so important to our development as human beings and we may not necessarily have had the same opportunities if we grew up in a Thai family, where such a focus is put on sticking by and providing for the family unit.

[Isobel Brown]

Hi Gemma! I found the article “Time for a new way’ Thais look for change as election nears” really interesting as it provides a comprehensive overview of the political tensions in Thailand, highlighting the Country’s struggle between political democracy, fascism, and dictatorships since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. It discusses the coup in 2014, which led to a quasi-military government being installed, and the recent election held on May 14th to determine whether this government would be re-elected or if the pro-democracy democratic opposition parties would take power.

One significant issue raised in the article is the frustration of the Thai people, particularly youth, with the recurring coups, collusion, and corruption within the state. The banning and dissolution of the future forward party in 2019 exemplified the lack of democracy and the dominance of the ruling elite’s agenda. As a result, young people have been advocating for change and demanding honest manifestos that address and improve the societal problems in Thailand.

The formation of the Move Forward Party as a response to the banning of the Future Forward Party signifies the growing progressive will amongst the people. However, it also emphasises the challenges these pro-democratic parties face in gaining enough seats to form a government. The existence of military appointed senators alongside elected representatives necessitates that these parties secure 75% of the seats to have a realistic chance of governing.

Currently, the Move Forward Party has achieved the majority of seats (151) and 38% of the vote, closely followed by the Pheu Thai Party (141) with 28.86%. However, the article rightly points out that the military influence state will play a crucial role in determining whether the winning parties are permitted to govern and whether this can contribute to healing the rift in the Country and enabling reform. It underscores the importance for travellers to understand the political climate in Thailand before visiting.
In conclusion, the overview of this article sheds light on the complex political landscape in Thailand, emphasising the desire for change among the Thai people, especially the youth, and the challenges faced by pro-democratic parties in gaining power. It highlights the need to closely observe post-election developments to ascertain whether the Country will experience progress or further division.

[Violeta Bosnjak]

Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9212222/

The article highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has not only worsened global issues but also exposed underlying problems, particularly related to the rights and equity of vulnerable groups, which have often been overlooked by governments. This is relevant to someone traveling to or living in Thailand because it sheds light on the challenges faced by marginalized individuals during the pandemic, such as migrant workers losing their jobs and people experiencing domestic violence during lockdowns. It also underscores the importance of social equity in education, emphasizing that quality and equitable access to education are vital for building a better world. In Thailand, like in many other places, the pandemic has revealed disparities in education and child rights violations, which need to be addressed for a more inclusive and just society.

For someone traveling to Thailand, this article serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing social equity and ensuring that marginalized groups have access to essential services and education. It highlights the need for holistic and inclusive education systems to prevent future crises from having similarly adverse consequences, emphasizing the importance of learning from such experiences to protect the rights and well-being of future generations.

[Camilla Giddens]

Article: https://www.lazudi.com
Living in Chiang Mai, an Affordable and Relaxed Lifestyle
This article briefly discusses the history of the region and then moves on to discuss its relaxed yet modern lifestyle. It outlines the benefits of living in a city that moves at a slower pace, but offers a thriving community for expats, retirees and working professionals. It enumerates all the amenities including shopping malls, bars, restaurants, supermarkets and affordable housing.
It also mentions the numerous international schools and universities, which I found most helpful because I am seriously
interested in doing my internship there. The article also provided very useful information about the expats community, and all the networking opportunities, recreational activities and healthcare facilities, and above all else its affordability in comparison to other Thai cities.
I personally found this article very informative and reassuring as it re-enforces some of my previous knowledge about the area, climate and lifestyle.

[Camilla Giddens]

Hi Tia, I found your article very informative and endearing because it re-enforces the very fiber of Thai culture : the importance of family and community. I love the concept of multi-generational households and shared responsibilities within the family unit. It teaches honor, respect and duty without expectation of reward. It’s a very admirable and I feel that other communities and cultures could benefit from this example.

[Marcus Berger]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2563314/thailand-ramps-up-shift-to-renewables

The following article covers Thailand’s response to soaring global gas prices. It focuses on the shift to a more renewable-based portfolio, which will allow the country to become net zero by 2065. Although short the article shows the importance of becoming energy-independent, which will be accomplished through long-term power-purchasing agreements with renewable energy companies. These agreements are a first for Thailand and will allow investments to remain steady for years.

This article resonated with me because of my desire to create a more sustainable future. My degree was in Quantitative Energy and I love learning about countries plans to combat climate change. Whenever I travel to a new country I always find myself looking at their energy mix as well as where their investments are going. Finally, it makes me happy to live in a country that cares about future generations as much as I do.

[Author]

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