ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Pierrette Van Der Meulen]

I completely agree with you. As a present/future teacher, we can bring change into our students lives. Change starts with us as teachers.

[Niam Prisaca]

Article: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2559096/pros-cons-of-thai-education
This article provides an insight into the reasons behind an increasing shift towards education being undertaken in Thailand- and provides perspective to an English Student like me.
In the article, a Mexican student named Ana Carbonell details her experiences whilst studying journalism in Thammasat University. She describes the Thai people as kind and helpful and details the landscape as beautiful and serene, all of which provide me with excitement and confidence to come to Thailand and create an experience.
She also describes the large language barrier she feels in Thailand, in mostly general areas such as the canteen- Most members of the University being unable to speak English. This highlights the importance of the teaching that I and others will carry out in Thailand in establishing cultural bridges by which cultural exchange can occur.

[Niam Prisaca]

I found it very interesting to read how the article highlights the positive developments taking place in Thailand, with the rejection of a candidate associated with homophobic and transphobic policies and the growing influence of the younger generation in shaping public opinion.
While there are still obstacles to overcome, I believe that these signs of social change offer a chance and hope for a more inclusive society for the LGBT+ community in Thailand.

[Liesel Taylor]

Article – https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2597716/tourism-firms-cash-in-on-travel-boom

Thailand has seen a spike in tourism rates and is evident within this article by Bangkok Post. The article recognises the positive impact hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies have experienced throughout the first half of 2023. One statistic that stands out is that foreign currency exchange businesses have “registered a 389% increase” and was attributed to a tourism boom. Travel agencies are specifically ‘cashing in’ due to the soaring needs for advise, deals and

I, along with everybody else partaking in this program, can see how our direct travel to Thailand is positively impacting the country’s economic growth at a staggering rate. This is really exciting to see and proves what a successful country Thailand has become in terms of travel and work opportunities! As of May 2023, over 800,000 businesses have been recorded in Thailand, providing vast amounts of working and volunteering opportunities for travellers and residents alike. Our input in Thai society is something we should be really proud of, and can only be deemed successful in terms of economic value, opportunity and diversity.

[Liesel Taylor]

Niam! What an interesting article you have found. Education is fast developing and is evident in Thailand! It’s really exciting to learn more about the developments as we are about to embark on our own educational travels! Language barriers are definitely a challenging obstacle to overcome, but one that is advancing in all corners of the world due to teaching. A great read and well done for the perfect summary!

[Kinga Bartczak]

Related article: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334605785_CULTURE_SHOCK_AMONG_FOREIGN_STUDENTS_A_CASE-STUDY_OF_THAI_STUDENTS_STUDYING_AT_UNIVERSITAS_MUHAMMADIYAH_PALEMBANG

This article explores the impact of culture shock on foreign students studying in a new country and is based on the effect of culture shock on 3 Thai students and how they reacted and coped. It starts off by defining “ culture” as the customs, beliefs, art, way of life and social organisation of a particular country, moving onto describing “ culture shock” as a form of emotional moves created by the stimulation of a new culture having no sense and considered a new experience compared to the individuals own culture.
The author categorises the culture shock into two elements: academic shock and social shock. Academic shock is pictured as climatising with the new teaching methods from the teacher, the differently organised teaching programme and classroom organisation, where as social shock is getting used to the different habits in social gathering and community bonding.
This article relates to me as someone travelling to Thailand to teach English there for the first time as it made me aware that although I might experience culture shock getting used to the environment and different ways of life in Thailand, the students that I will be teaching may also experience some degree of culture shock from getting taught by teachers from the UK who come from a very different culture than them and may do things differently in the classroom compared to their regular Thai teachers. It is important to realise that this may be a new experience for the children as well as ourselves.

[Kinga Bartczak]

Hi Issy!, I thought that your chosen article was very eye-opening to someone who has never been to Thailand before, like myself. It’s shocking to see the difference in expected beauty standards in Thailand and how extreme they can be compared to the the UK. It really highlights the facts that you may be treated differently based on how you look or what clothes you are wearing.

[Raye Howard]

Replying to Jeshin
This article was eye opening. I didn’t realize how much Thailand has invested in proper infrastructure to bring more tourism to the country. Especially with post covid tourism continuing to grow they are finding more opportunities that will improve access to all people that can travel to Thailand. Issuing vouchers to secondary countries is a great initiative!

[Raye Howard]

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post-mobile.php?story=20230519132835996
The article that I read was on the topic of educational reform. Being in a new country and taking the role as an English teacher was interesting to read about how the Moving Forward Party recently had a candidate that won the nomination. The article discusses how teachers take other roles with an addition to their teaching duties.
The party would like to help educators and focus reform in primary as well as secondary education. This resonates with me because educators should have that freedom to teach and focus on the wholeness approach to students rather than working as an educator and having other duties you are responsible for. I would like to use this article as a voice to see how education is taught and gather insight on the approach to it.

[Destiny Rama]

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/12/14/thailand-s-economy-remains-resilient-amid-global-headwinds

Thailand’s economy is expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, driven by the tourism sector and private consumption. This recovery offers benefits to travelers visiting Thailand. As the economy improves, tourism-related services are likely to become more accessible and vibrant. Visitors can expect increased opportunities for exploration, entertainment, and cultural experiences, as well as a wider range of accommodations and dining options.

Moreover, a recovering economy indicates a more stable and favorable environment for travelers. It suggests that the necessary infrastructure and services, such as transportation networks and tourist facilities, will be functioning well. Additionally, as the country strives for economic resilience, there may be increased efforts to enhance safety and security measures for tourists.

However, it is important for travelers to keep in mind that the projected slower growth rate for 2023 might impact certain aspects of their trip. They should stay informed about any potential changes in the tourism sector, such as modifications in entry requirements, travel restrictions, or changes in popular destinations due to shifting demands.

In summary, the projected recovery of Thailand’s economy brings positive implications for travelers, including improved tourism services, stability, and enhanced experiences. Being aware of the evolving economic situation and any associated changes can help travelers make informed decisions and maximize their enjoyment while visiting Thailand.

[Anne Moesha Snoek]

Article analaysis:
– https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2566246/virus-curbs-set-to-return-to-schools
As we are going to Thailand in the coming days, we need to be careful about our health and the health of the people we surround ourselves with. The article that I have chosen, goes into the fact that covid cases are rising again in Thailand and that with the new semester of school starting up and the rainy season, thus the flue season, arriving the people of Thailand need to be extra careful. The article continues to explain that the WHO does not see covid as a public health emergency, However the Thai government is still pushing people to get booster shots and be careful to prevent a bigger outbreak and a higher death toll. Promoting the covid booster shots by providing them for free in public hospitals.
The topic of the article is important for someone traveling to Thailand as it goes into detail about the covid situation in Thailand. The article is also useful for people planning on going to teach in Thailand, because it is explaining that the spread of covid is even more evident with the starting of schools and that it is good to be extra careful. thus the article is a good way to get up to date with the covid situation, the reason why the government is warning people and how to be better protected against covid in Thailand.

[Anne Moesha Snoek]

Hi Anna. I think the article that you picked is actually really helpful as to know what to expect from the healthcare system and how it works. Especially considering most of us do not have any experience with healthcare systems outside our own countries it is really good to read into the system you will be dependent on in case something happens to you or one of the other participants. Thank you for highlighting this!

[Destiny Rama]

This was a great summary. I was actually so interested and shocked to find out the facts of this article as it’s not something I would initially think about when thinking of Thailand. However it’s hopeful that concern has been raised, it’s being monitored and is expected to improve .

[Lilli Merritt]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/21/a-new-generation-of-women-set-to-shake-up-politics-in-thailand
This articles details Thailand’s shifting political landscape, both in the increasing ground for the progressive Move Forward party, but the rise of female politicians. The radical shift of grassroots political activism among Thai women unveils a brighter future for future Thai generations in a growing accessibility to democratic ideals and aspirations. This is the first step towards the country’s move to challenge entrenched gendered ideals that continue to confront young Thai women – a fight that fascinates me as a young female feminist from the West.
Reflection upon the elections in May 2023 in Chiang Mai, journalist Andrew Nachemson highlights the radical shift in 5 female Move Forward candidates gaining seats in the traditionally Pheu Thai stronghold. Alongside 3 male colleagues, Move Forward’s swoop disturbed Pheu Thai sentimentalists given the former’s campaign focus on ‘deeper reforms’ against the incumbent military dictatorship, supported by the monarchy. Citing the director of Gender and Development Research Institute, Ruengrawee Pichaikul, the 96 women elected in 2023 is higher to the 2019 election figures, with 36 of Move Forward, and 29 of Pheu Thai’s elected representatives being women. Pichaikul’s comment, “It’s a new generation, a new paradigm shift” reflects upon the current momentum among younger Thais, especially women, to take a pro-active role in society that opposes the traditional patriarchal status quo. The contrast of the elected lower-chamber of Parliament being 19% female vs the military appointed Senate’s 6% is a scathing reminder of the stagnated role of change in Thailand that is so heavily imbued and entrenched in social customs and beliefs. But attitudes are changing, evident in the article’s interviews with two Move Forward representatives, and a Pheu Thai representative. All explain their gender has been villainised against them by male counterparts to be either ‘flowers’ or ‘shadows of their husbands/fathers’, but the shared tone of hope and determination to mould new attitudes reflect upon the Chiang Mai electorate. Declaring people are ‘now become aware’ of the institutional failures of the military dictatorship with the increasingly disturbing suppression of pro-government critics in exile (eg: Wanchalearm Satsaksit in Cambodia) Puthita Chaianun chose to be a politician to improve the livelihoods of her children, never aspiring to be a politician but feels it is morally right for the future. Pheu Thai’s Srisopha Kotkhamlue reflects on her party’s disappointing losses in Chiang Mai but is grateful Move Forward won, and not a military party, arguing it shows ‘Chiang Mai has democracy in its heart.’.
These deeper reflections utilmately rely upon gendered norms, ie: being a mother/wife, but contort gendered roles to be empowering rather than an obstacle for Chaianun- which is an interesting twist considering the rise of bourgeois women in the west (1970s-80s). Travelling to Thailand, I need to be aware of the entrenched gendered inequalities, but should reflect upon the changing tones that are beginning to be see among the younger generations to whom I will teach.

[Lilli Merritt]

Hi Anne Moesha, This is a great summary- and really intriguing! I didn’t know that Covid is still a huge issue in Thailand, given in the West, wearing face masks and social distancing is a long-forgotten memory for the vast majority. The provision of free Covid booster shots by the Thai government is positive, and makes me wonder what the innoculate rates are for the population, particularly among younger children given your summary’s reflection that schools act as super-spreaders (tad-worrying for teaching, but raises the logistical issue of how do we navigate this!). This is a good summary to remind those visiting Thailand to be careful and cautious of their surroundings, and to remain considerate of their Thai neighbours/locals given the high risks Covid poses to all ages. I am also interested to find out whether the Thai population have any reservations to the vaccination, is there any dependence on herd immunity? Given the Western media’s press coverage/uproar of ‘anti-vaxxers’ that made them appear to be a gigantic issue that only affected a small number of the population, I wonder if the same issue is in Thailand?

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Lilli Merritt.

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