ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Nosibabalo Tetani]

Claudia Lupinek
I appreciate the way you summarised the article. The introduction of mobile schools is beneficial for the future as it plays a role in keeping children at school. The are many factors like poverty which make it difficult for many children to participate in school related activities. To come across an article that shows this type of progress in the Thailand education system is a nice feeling as it shows travellers and Visitors like me that education is valued in Thailand and it is a priority that every child gets a chance to learn and follow their dreams. Thank for your summary it is clear and an important topic.

[Harriet Cross]

A very concise and yet informative summary of what sounds like a very interesting article. It is interesting to read about Professor Thon Thamrong-Nawasawat’s findings and work. It is also encouraging to know that people like this professor are not only trying to preserve the marine life in Thailand but use it to reduce global warming.

[Joshua King]

My chosen article:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2868597/only-poor-thais-can-be-street-vendors-says-city-hall
The article that I am looking at from the Bangkok Post discusses new regulations introduced by Bangkok’s City Hall aimed at restricting street vending to “poor Thais” only. These regulations specify that vendors must be Thai nationals who hold government welfare cards or are engaged in welfare housing programs, and their annual incomes must be under 300,000 baht after deducting business expenses. Migrant workers are prohibited from being employed as assistants, and each vendor is only allowed one Thai assistant. Also, the regulations impose strict guidelines for obtaining health permissions, maintaining adequate pedestrian space, and adhering to specific stall sizes.
As someone preparing to travel to Thailand to teach, these new regulations offer insight into the socio-economic challenges faced by local communities. Street vendors are a key part of Thai culture and daily life, providing affordable meals for both locals and tourists. While the new rules aim to regulate street vending and ensure public safety, they may inadvertently hurt small businesses by making compliance more difficult, potentially reducing the vibrancy of street markets that many, including myself, look forward to experiencing. However, as an outsider about to live in Thailand, I can see how these regulations could also bring benefits, such as cleaner streets and better public health standards, which could contribute to a safer and more pleasant urban environment for everyone within them.
While teaching in Thailand, there is a fair chance that I encounter students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and understanding such policies helps me grasp the real-world issues that might impact their families. By seeing how these changes affect local communities, I can better engage with my students and become more connected with the local culture and the challenges everyday Thais face.

[Joshua King]

Well written! Very insightful and well-structured. Good work highlighting both the opportunities and challenges the new administration faces!

[Paige Winston]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/2869138/only-poor-thais-can-be-street-vendors

In this article from the BangkokPost, it talks about a new law signed into place that only allows “poor Thais,” to be street vendors. Basically, they cannot have annual income above a certain threshold and they must be Thai in order to operate a stand. In addition to this, anyone else employed by the vendor must also be Thai and their income must be reported. This is all in an effort to prevent migrants from operating stands and potentially take away income from the locals.

The expectation with street vending is that you are largely your own boss and make the rules regarding your establishment. However, with this new law in place, it poses wider implications for Bangkok and Thailand about the role foreigners are allowed to play in Thai economy. As someone who is soon going to be living in Thailand, it’s exceedingly important for me to know what are acceptable and LEGAL ways to acquire additional income (should I require additional income for any reason).

[Paige Winston]

I could not have worded this any better and am happy to also (now) find that Thailand supports National Women’s Day. I, too, am a solo female traveler and often have my own concerns about the expectations and treatment of women in the countries I am visiting. It is always a good sign when any country is progressive enough to recognize that work needs to be done to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens, regardless of their sex and/or gender. I am so happy you brought this to the forefront.

[Faith Lauinger]

Article: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ843603.pdf

This article talks about the changes and opportunities for students that need special education services in Thailand. This topic peaks my interest specifically for two reasons. The first being that I am going to teach English in Thailand for the next 6 months so I will be in a school with students every day. The second is that I have taught special education in the United States for the past two years. I was curious to find out if I will get to work with students with disabilities or if they are in separate programs in Thailand.

Over the past 30 years there have been significant improvements in Thailand in discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The most significant in my opinion was in 1991 – Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act, which stated that individuals with disabilities have the right to pursue the same opportunities as those without. This led to pushing for more inclusion opportunities.

Although Thailand is progressing and the government has developed programs to help these students it is reported that very few children are actually receiving these services. It has been reported that 85% of children with disabilities are from families at or below poverty levels. If they are in a rural city it is harder for them to access specialized schools since these programs are typically located in metropolitan areas. Though policy has changed, the implementation of services has several barriers to overcome. Teachers have reported to feel unprepared to teach students with special needs. There has not been adequate training and development for the teachers.

In conclusion, in order for schools to provide ample inclusion opportunities for these students it would be beneficial to have collaboration amongst regular education and special education teachers. With my background in special education, I hope that I am able to be a resource at the school I am placed at to help both the teachers who might not feel comfortable working with a child with a disability as well as the child.

[Zion Omobuwa]

Related article: https://tdri.or.th/en/2020/01/thai-inequality-what-we-should-know/

– In the article, “Thai Inequality: What We Should Do,” Somchai Jitsuchon discusses how Thailand inequality had risen from previous years. It is important to note that this article was written in 2020 and although at the time Thailand was “among the 10 most unequal countries on this planet for wealth distribution,” (Jitsuchon, 2020) this is no longer true. He wrote that awareness of the imbalance was encouraging, but awareness alone was not enough. It is nice to know that the government seems to genuinely be addressing this issue in some ways because the evidence of improvement is visible in the 2024 wealth distribution data.
– Moreover, Jitsuchon stressed the importance of equal access to life opportunities and justice in Thailand regardless of gender, race, or belief. We all know now from learning more through our earlier modules that Thailand is a beautiful country with a variety of foods, geographical landscapes, and people. Thais, especially wealthy Thais, must learn and understand that welfare benefits are not charity, but a legal right. A change in mindset is vital in order for the push for structural change to yield positive results.
– Many Thais are aware of the layers of inequality including “geographical disparity and social exclusion of marginalized people such as the stateless, migrant and domestic workers,” (Jitsuchon, 2020). I have faith that overtime, this will create continuous growth and positive change. This article interested me because I am a foreigner who will be living and working in Thailand while also immersing myself in the culture. As an educator, I’ve always believed addressing and being aware of socioeconomic inequality is extremely important.
– All of our students are vastly different and can often come from various backgrounds or economic circumstances. When we as educators have the knowledge we need, we are better prepared to support our students without potentially contributing to the discrimination or inequality they may already battle on a daily basis. My past experience working with underprivileged students also added fuel to the fiery passion I already had when it comes to equity in education. I aim to always make a positive impact in the lives of all my students no matter their background. As a teacher, my goal is to truly help them realize they are capable and should have access to the necessary resources that may aid them in anything they dream.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Zion Omobuwa.

[Zion Omobuwa]

– Great analysis, Faith! It is disheartening to hear that many disabled Thai children still do not have access to the same resources or education as their peers. While I did not specialize in working with disabled students, a handful of my previous students did have learning disabilities and had access to another teacher they could work with when needed. This was an amazing aid in the classroom because they were simply given the extra attention they needed to thrive, rather than being completely ostracized from their peers.

– I hope that we are able to see true improvement in this discrepancy while in Thailand for our work, and for many years to come. I believe the most significant improvement in your opinion, Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act of 1991, being so recent truly speaks for itself. The country clearly has a long way to go but that just means there are greater opportunities for life-changing improvements.

[Adam Oshan]

Paige, It’s interesting to learn more about some work related restrictions in Thailand. I’ve found in general, working regulations are confusing and difficult to understand as a foreigner on a visa. I think it is interesting that they are restricting street vendors to be low income and only Thai. I can imagine that this will help a lot of Thai people dealing with competition against illegal businesses. However, with the prevalence of street vendors in Thailand, I am not sure how this law is going to be effectively enforced.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Adam Oshan.

[Adam Oshan]

Article: https://www.cato.org/blog/thailand-uses-digital-wallet-10000-baht-handout

This article discusses Thailand’s initiative to distribute a 10,000 baht ($300) handout to citizens through a digital wallet system as a part of its economic recovery plan. This program aims to stimulate spending and support individuals affected by the economic downturn, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital wallet system is designed to make transactions more efficient and accessible, promoting financial inclusion among the population.

However, the implementation of this digital wallet raises concerns regarding the long-term implications for Thailand’s economy and government spending. Critics argue that while the handout may provide short-term relief, it could lead to increased public debt and dependence on government assistance. Additionally, the reliance on a digital platform may exacerbate inequalities for those without access to technology or banking services. Overall, while the initiative aims to boost economic activity, its sustainability and broader impact on the economy remain uncertain.

As someone who comes from a country where digital payments are the norm, it is interesting that the Thai government would disperse financial assistance via an app, especially when the lowest income people are the least likely to have reliable internet and access to digital tools. It will be very different to live in a country in which cash payments are most common, and I will certainly have to get used to a new financial and banking system here.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Adam Oshan.

[Nosibabalo Tetani]

Simal Yilmaz I completely agree with you on the importance of early childhood education, as it creates the foundation for children. I believe in reading with the children, to help them pronounce words better, understand the language and gain confidence in speaking it. I appreciate the way you summarised your article as it details the importance of reading skills as a way of improving children’s comprehension. Reading really does improve imagination, it allows the children to think out of the box and be creative. Thank you.

[Alyssa Johnstone]

I chose an article about Thailand’s tourism industry and how they are adapting to return to normal levels of tourism after COVID. Thailand relies on its expanding tourism industry and foreign exchange as ways of increasing its GDP and stabilizing its economy. Without tourism many could lose jobs and income significantly decreasing quality of life. Thailand depended on China for 28% of its tourists, because China had the strictest COVID rules that number was drastically reduced, it is now at 3%. This article focuses on how to pivot the market strategy to diversify the people coming to visit the country.

The new strategy they are implementing takes into account the expense of travel from the US and Europe (their new targets without China) as well as the shaky economic situation caused by the pandemic in the middle class. They are now focusing on long term stays of the wealthy. Authorities have released my version of Long-Term Resident visas to make staying in Thailand east and desirable for this target audience. They are also using the nature and natural environment to turn Thailand into a serene health and wellness retreat style trip, appealing to the new focus regarding mental health and physical wellness. And they also started a green tourism initiative to cater to the younger generation’s preference to sustainable travel.

Overall, all these strategies seem like great ideas for the country to build on what they have been creating the past few years by expanding the tourism industry. This article pertains to someone about the move to Thailand because it shows how the country treats its visitors and its attitude toward foreigners. Thailand has a very positive attitude, welcomes and wants new people into the country which are all good signs when trying to move there.

https://www.eiu.com/n/thailand-tourism-industry-adapting-to-changing-times/

[Alyssa Johnstone]

I really liked your overview of this article. My first thoughts were also if they used a mobile system those with the most need would most likely be unable to access it. I also could see some issue with the security of the system and other technology issues. Definitely something for them to go back over.

[angelika]

Great insights were shared in this discussion! The points raised about the article’s key themes are really enlightening. If anyone is feeling overwhelmed with the analysis, I suggest looking into help with assignment services. They can offer valuable support to ensure we all stay on track and enhance our understanding of the material. Looking forward to more contributions!
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