ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Kirk Gobeil]

Related Article:

Deadly danger of motorbikes in Thailand, 2 dead in 1 day while an Australian’s dreams are smashed

The article begins with a scary set of statistics. At least 40 people die every day on the roads in Thailand. 34 of these fatalities are motorbike drivers/passengers. In addition to the fatalities there are many injuries as well. These injuries can be very expensive to treat and often have life changing impacts.

Tommy Kirk from Australia was driving his scooter in a safe manner but was hit by another driver that was not driving safely. Tommy Kirk’s leg was seriously damaged, the surgeons tried to save it which resulted in a large medical bill. Although Tommy did have Travel Insurance the policy did not cover motorcycle accidents. This accident seems to have also ended Tommy’s Muay Thai career ambitions.

Thailands roads are currently ranked sixth most dangerous in the world. The article states that close to 15,000 people were killed on the roads in Thailand in 2022. The results for 2023 were not finalized yet, but appear to be similar.
From Jan 1 to Feb 8, 2024 there were 1,622 fatalities and 93,207 injured. These numbers caused the World Bank to issue a report warning of potential economic loss due to the dangerous roads in Thailand. The article cites some articles calling for universal insurance plans for tourists.

This article is pertinent to me because when I read the document that I had to sign for this course; “Xplore Asia Placement Assistance Terms and Conditions.“ There is a section on students not driving motorbikes while taking this course. In fact I went back and read that part again after reading this article. A motorbike seemed to be a really handy cost efficient and fun way to get around in any city until you consider the risk.

Motorcycles are dangerous in Canada, however we do not have the weather in Canada to drive them on our streets for most of the year. Therefore they are not as popular in Canada as they are in Thailand.

In Canada motorcyclist are required by law to wear helmets and many motorcyclists also wear boots, gloves, jackets and pants made of leather that provide additional protection. This gear also has variants that have amour pads for knees, elbows backs and wrists. However when I watch YouTube Videos on Thailand I see people wearing no protection at all. This maybe due to the hot weather in Thailand.

I will not drive a motorbike during this course or after it. I am also scared to be a passenger on a motorbike taxi. I will only take car taxis and buses. I do not care how cheap or quick the motorbike taxis are the risk of injury or death is too high.

[Kirk Gobeil]

Related Article:

Deadly danger of motorbikes in Thailand, 2 dead in 1 day while an Australian’s dreams are smashed

The article begins with a scary set of statistics. At least 40 people die every day on the roads in Thailand. 34 of these fatalities are motorbike drivers/passengers. In addition to the fatalities there are many injuries as well. These injuries can be very expensive to treat and often have life changing impacts.

Tommy Kirk from Australia was driving his scooter in a safe manner but was hit by another driver that was not driving safely. Tommy Kirk’s leg was seriously damaged, the surgeons tried to save it which resulted in a large medical bill. Although Tommy did have Travel Insurance the policy did not cover motorcycle accidents. This accident seems to have also ended Tommy’s Muay Thai career ambitions.

Thailands roads are currently ranked sixth most dangerous in the world. The article states that close to 15,000 people were killed on the roads in Thailand in 2022. The results for 2023 were not finalized yet, but appear to be similar.
From Jan 1 to Feb 8, 2024 there were 1,622 fatalities and 93,207 injured. These numbers caused the World Bank to issue a report warning of potential economic loss due to the dangerous roads in Thailand. The article cites some articles calling for universal insurance plans for tourists.

This article is pertinent to me because when I read the document that I had to sign for this course; “Xplore Asia Placement Assistance Terms and Conditions.“ There is a section on students not driving motorbikes while taking this course. In fact I went back and read that part again after reading this article. A motorbike seemed to be a really handy cost efficient and fun way to get around in any city until you consider the risk.

Motorcycles are dangerous in Canada, however we do not have the weather in Canada to drive them on our streets for most of the year. Therefore they are not as popular in Canada as they are in Thailand.

In Canada motorcyclist are required by law to wear helmets and many motorcyclists also wear boots, gloves, jackets and pants made of leather that provide additional protection. This gear also has variants that have amour pads for knees, elbows backs and wrists. However when I watch YouTube Videos on Thailand I see people wearing no protection at all. This maybe due to the hot weather in Thailand.

I will not drive a motorbike during this course or after it. I am also scared to be a passenger on a motorbike taxi. I will only take car taxis and buses. I do not care how cheap or quick the motorbike taxis are the risk of injury or death is too high.

[Kirk Gobeil]

Emma MacDonald the food in Thailand does look very tasty. I have watched a few YouTube videos that show how good the food looks as well as the wide array of dishes available. It will be very hard for me to decide what to order. I believe there is an additional benefit of sharing multiple dishes with friends and family is that you get to eat a wide range of dishes. I do not have any family in Thailand but I hope to make a lot of new friends there. I cant wait to arrive in Thailand and finally eat some of this food.

[Dora Porter]

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/concerns-over-readinessof-thailands-secondary-cities-for-tourism

In this article it raises concerns on if Thailand’s secondary cities are prepared for the predicted influx of tourist that are expected to rise during 2024. The private sector has expressed concerns over the readiness of Thailand’s secondary cities for a major tourism boost, despite Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s declaration that 2024 will be “the greatest year for Thai tourism in history.” Some of their main concerns are lack of essential facilities, services, and attractions. As well as connectivity between major cities and second-tier provinces was also highlighted as a critical issue that could hinder the flow of tourists to new destinations and exacerbate congestion in major cities.

As someone traveling to Thailand and planning for a longer stay, this article attracted my own interest because of locations. While larger cities may be prepared for groups such as the one I will be in ,smaller cities or towns may be overwhelmed. I would hate to add to that and will do my best to avoid it of possible. I also enjoyed their idea sin the article to better prepare for such influxes in the future.

[Dora Porter]

This is great guide to the spicy in Thailand. Also the dishes as well. I havent had to many chances to try a wide range of dishes and i am looking forward to expanding on that. Ill have to keep in mind the spice level!

[Andrew Isaacson]

Article Link: https://www.odynovotours.com/thailand/songkran-water-festival.html

This article talks about Songkran/Thai New Year, specifically the famous Water Festival, which is coming up in a few weeks. Throughout the holiday and festival, locals and tourists will have the opportunity to experience Thai rituals and attend numerous events. Songkran itself symbolizes the welcoming of a new year and eliminating bad luck. The Water Festival will last three days from April 13 to 15. There are two theories about how the Water Festival started in Thailand, one being that it originated from a Hindu Brahminical ritual where locals went to the river to bathe and get rid of their sins. The second comes from a myth where the god descends to earth with a weapon, which helps to predict the grain harvest. The Water Festival can be celebrated throughout Thailand including in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

I’m beyond excited to experience Songkran and the Water Festival in Thailand for the first time and participate in the activities with my fellow teachers and locals. This celebration will allow me and the rest of my TESOL cohort to immerse ourselves in the Thai culture and witness one of the biggest holidays in Thailand. This will be an exceptional bonding experience for the group and I can’t wait to see what XploreAsia has in mind for the weekend. It will be the first of many Thai holidays that I will celebrate during my teaching stint in Thailand.

[Andrew Isaacson]

Dora Porter as someone who is also preparing for an extended stay in Thailand it will be interesting to see how the “secondary” cities prepare for an increase in tourism. Thailand has become a popular destination for tourists and expats and I’m curious to see how the government will adapt to the influx of foreigners throughout my time in the country.

[Zukisa Mtalana]

There is growing concerns over the ruling coalition government of Pheu Thai and Military backed parties in Thailand. In 2014, the democratic government of Pheu Thai was dethroned by the military. Pheu Thai party has been known for its economic policies that boosted poor farmers and revitalized the economy. Since Pheu Thai party has been in coalition with the military backed parties all those economic policies have not been achieved and on other hand the economic growth has not increased to what was expected.

The people on the streets are skeptical about Pheu Thai party’s commitment to democracy, and human rights. This stems from continued violation of human rights by the military on citizens and religious groups in Thailand. Others citizens of Thailand believe that Pheu Thai party is scared to push for reforms in Thailand because that might break the power-sharing deal with the military. This relates to me because I will live in Thailand for several months any political unrest that may occur as result of people not being happy about how the government runs the country, may affect me. I have seen political unrest before, things may escalate into full-scale riot or a civil war.

[Zukisa Mtalana]

Article link https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/3/5/the-same-book-over-and-over-scepticism-over-ruling-pheu-thai-in-thailand

There is growing concerns over the ruling coalition government of Pheu Thai and Military backed parties in Thailand. In 2014, the democratic government of Pheu Thai was dethroned by the military. Pheu Thai party has been known for its economic policies that boosted poor farmers and revitalized the economy. Since Pheu Thai party has been in coalition with the military backed parties all those economic policies have not been achieved and on other hand the economic growth has not increased to what was expected.

The people on the streets are skeptical about Pheu Thai party’s commitment to democracy, and human rights. This stems from continued violation of human rights by the military on citizens and religious groups in Thailand. Others citizens of Thailand believe that Pheu Thai party is scared to push for reforms in Thailand because that might break the power-sharing deal with the military. This relates to me because I will live in Thailand for several months any political unrest that may occur as result of people not being happy about how the government runs the country, may affect me. I have seen political unrest before, things may escalate into full-scale riot or a civil war.

[Phumlani Shabangu]

There’s so much that we keep learning about the Thai culture that’s great information

[Zukisa Mtalana]

Thanks for this summary, motorbike accidents can be very deadly. People really need to be carefully about using motorbikes. Protective gear should be worn at all times by users of motorbikes.

[Ryan Dunn]

Cultural Orientation Course – Article Analysis

https://www.asiaeducationreview.com/others/news/overview-of-the-thai-education-system-a-regional-perspective-nwid-758.html

This article details the evolution of the Thai education system. It originally only catered to male nobility and royalty, whilst common people would receive education from Buddhist temples. Reforms then took place in the 19th century, and the system has continued to evolve ever since, whereby the government now provides 12 years of free education. Teacher qualifications have also been standardised to reflect the qualification frameworks of the UK and Australia. Through these efforts, as well as examples of international collaboration (through research projects/exchange programs etc at the higher level) Thailand has endeavoured to solidify it’s global reputation in the education sector as well as foster further global cooperation in education.

The curriculum in Thai schools has been designed to be comprehensive by covering subjects such as language, maths, science and social studies – not to mention an emphasis on global English proficiency. Top secondary schools, as well as upper secondary pathways (which offer general, vocational or comprehensive studies) both require entrance exams. Core subjects reflecting life and society are mandatory, and the Thai culture has a strong influence on the education system. This is why principles such as respect for authority, social harmony and community are so prevalent.

These topics relate to me as they give me insight into how the education system has formed, and how it is influenced by Thai culture. More importantly, it educates me on why the system has formed this way. This will help to minimise culture shock when I encounter a scenario which I may not expect in a school.
Cultural Orientation Course – Article Analysis

[Ryan Dunn]

I think this is a really important issue to keep in mind when stepping into the classroom, especially the point regarding the use of free alternatives. The main point being that we should start today, is a strong and positive point because it puts the responsibility on all of us to find ways to innovate and push the education system forward. The article and your analysis as a whole encourages teachers to be flexible in our approach to allow different learning styles to flourish, and to allow/push our lessons and the education system as a whole to evolve.

[Adil Burahee]

Relating to https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/23/world/asia/thailand-children-muay-thai.html

The article depicts the cultural significance and controversial aspects of Muay Thai, the traditional Thai martial art, particularly concerning underage fighters. In Thailand, Muay Thai serves as a means of social mobility for the poor and a lucrative gambling form for the rich. However, recent incidents, including the death of a 13-year-old fighter, have ignited debates about child labor and safety in the sport.

Despite efforts to regulate underage participation, such as proposals to impose stricter limits on fights and prohibit children under 12 from competitive boxing, challenges persist due to the sport’s deep-rooted cultural prominence and economic importance, especially in rural areas. The article highlights the rigorous training regimens and sacrifices young fighters endure in pursuit of success, often leaving home to train in Bangkok gyms.

While Muay Thai offers opportunities for financial reward and personal achievement, concerns linger about the physical and psychological toll on young participants. The tragic death of Anucha Tasako has prompted calls for greater oversight and protection of child fighters, with some advocating for a complete ban on youth boxing to safeguard their well-being.

The story of Supattra Inthirat, nicknamed Pancake, exemplifies the complexities surrounding Muay Thai. Despite her promising career and familial support, Pancake experiences the harsh reality of defeat in the ring, underscoring the challenges and uncertainties faced by young athletes in the sport.

[Haingotiana Drevon]

Article : https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2024/02/21/empowering-thailand-a-call-for-action-to-strengthen-foundational-skills

The article entitled “Empowering Thailand: A Call for Action to Strengthen Foundational Skills” delves into a pressing issue plaguing Thailand’s education system: a widespread deficiency in foundational skills among its populations. According to a recent report by the Equity Education Fund (EEF) and the World Bank, a significant proportion of Thai youths and adults grapple with fundamental skills like reading literacy, digital proficiency, and socio-emotional aptitude.
This skills crisis presents profound economic challenges, with potential GDP growth of up to 20% if these foundational skills are enhanced. The report underscores the immediate necessity for collaborative efforts between educational institutions, policymakers, and the private sector to confront this issue head-on.
As a future English teacher in Thailand, this article holds particular significance. Indeed, it helped me to understand the obstacles that Thai students may be confronted as they strive to acquire basic skills and will deeply inform my approach to teaching. In addition to teaching English, I’ll focus on developing my students’ reading, and social skills. It’s important to keep up with changes in education and industry to provide the best support.

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