ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Makynna Heimer]

https://www.unicef.org/thailand/blog/how-young-people-stepped-shape-thailands-educational-future-2023

The UNICEF article highlights how young people in Thailand are actively shaping the country’s educational future through the Youth-Led Advocacy for Transforming Education Initiative. These youth participants, supported by UNICEF, have identified major educational challenges like inequality, mental health issues, and the need for more inclusive learning environments. They presented their findings and recommendations to policymakers, advocating for reforms to improve Thailand’s education system. This initiative reflects Thailand’s commitment to involving youth in meaningful policy changes to address critical educational issues.
As I prepare to live and teach in Thailand, the topics in the UNICEF article really resonate. The educational system is evolving, with young people advocating for inclusivity, mental health support, and better learning environments. This shift is exciting because I’ll be working with students who are actively shaping their educational experience. By understanding the challenges they face and the reforms underway, I can tailor my teaching to align with these values and help foster a more inclusive and supportive learning atmosphere.

[Brandon Maglicic]

Article https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/2663491/the-unsung-heroes-of-thai-cuisine

“The Unsung Heroes of Thai Cuisine”

The article “The Unsung Heroes of Thai Cuisine” highlights the significance of lotus and water lilies in Thai cooking, it emphasises their nutritional value and cultural importance. While fish and rice are usually seen as staples of Thai cuisine, lotus (bua) and water lilies offer versatile ingredients that can be used in a variety of dishes. Both plants symbolize purity and spiritual awakening in Thai Buddhist culture, with several edible parts that include stems, rhizomes, and petals, providing essential nutrients throughout the year. Well known Michelin-starred Chef Vichit Mukura explains how each part serves a unique culinary purpose, contributing to the diverse flavors and textures in Thai cuisine.

The article also discusses specific dishes that showcase these ingredients, such as stir-fried water lily stems and desserts made from lotus roots. With a growing interest in these lesser-known components, food entrepreneurs like Omjan Pryphun are elevating dishes like miang kleep bua, which uses lotus petals, highlighting their aesthetic appeal and health benefits. The article honors the culinary richness that lotus and water lilies bring to Thai culture, encouraging greater appreciation for these “unsung heroes” of the country’s gastronomic heritage.

Traveling to a foreign country and indulging in their cuisine can be intimidating at first, especially if you are unfamiliar with ingredients that won’t otherwise be found in your home country. I was raised by an Italian mother who spoiled me with her exceptional cooking skills, so it’s easy to appreciate great cuisine. This being one of the staple reasons for having traveled Southeast Asia last year and, in my opinion, Thai food can arguably be some of the best cuisine in the world. I now return only more open minded and excited to explore these fine dishes further and hopefully learn to cook some delicious recipes.

[Brandon Maglicic]

Hi Makynna,

I found your article both informative of the challenges the current educational system experiences, as well as , inspirational to see two young local advocates, Biwtie and Nicha, having an incredible impact on their educational system. Being as young as 19 years old, working alongside international support and bringing both UNICEF and The Office of Education Council together to identify pivotal solutions for the future of Thailand’s education system, showcases the dedication these two women have for their community. As someone entering the education system for the first time, it gives me drive to focus on these concerns they face and help to the best of my ability to make the changes necessary for the future of Thai education.
Great choice of article!

[Megan Law-Clark]

Article: https://brokenchalk.org/education-at-a-crossroads-navigating-thailands-educational-challenges/

This article discusses the issues faced in the Thai education system, highlighting problems with funding, quality of education, inequality and teacher shortages.
While Thailand is seen as having huge potential in its education system it isn’t without its flaws.
In terms of Thai’s funding, it revealed that Thailand allocates 15% of their annual budget to education however, UNESCO recommends 20%, resulting in Thailand falling short on international standards.
As such, it was highlighted that smaller rural schools tend to suffer the most with insufficient recourses being accessible and a lack of trained teachers willing to stay at these schools. Therefore, showing huge disparities between rural and urban schools.

It was also highlighted that the educational system appeared to be outdated and lacked opportunities for students to learn skills that prepared them for society today. One parent said they were worried their child was not getting the skills they need for the future.
While a student expressed that they felt there was a lack of creative learning opportunities for them.

Teacher shortages seems to be the most severe in the north east of Thailand, where they struggle to attract and attain qualified teachers. While a lot of primary schools had less than one teacher per class, drastically impacting the quality of education in these schools.

As I prepare to live and work in Thailand and become part of the education system, this article has allowed me to have a better understanding of some of the issues faced in education. With some of these issues being similar to education back home in the UK. Therefore, I am hoping to align my teaching along side some of these issues and provide an opportunity for more creative learning and create an inclusive learning environment to ensure the students are learning skills for their futures.

[Megan Law-Clark]

Hi Brandon,
Really interesting article about Thailand’s cuisine, with it playing such a huge role in Thai culture and their beliefs.
I loved the idea of the lotus and water lilies, this was something I had never really thought about, and their representation of purity and spiritual awakening is fascinating.
Totally agree that different ingredients can be daunting at first but being open minded and having the confidence to explore new dishes is something we can look forward to.

[Heather Scully]

Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40501667

Many people visiting Thailand have interacting with elephants on their bucket list. Riding them is a popular activity, as is washing them, patting them, or simply taking selfies with them. However, companies that offer these activities have captured these elephants from the wild and keep them in extremely cruel conditions for the sake of making money from tourists. The elephants are forced to go through a process called ‘breaking in’ or ‘crush’ to train them to carry humans on their backs, and many of them are bound with chains and forced to stand in dangerous locations such as near busy roads. Although this is a problem in many countries in South East Asia, the article states that Thailand uses twice as many elephants for tourism than all the other countries combined.

As someone traveling to Thailand, it is important to take this information into consideration when planning excursions to make sure that I avoid giving any money to companies that treat elephants this way and make sure I do not contribute to the problem. However, the article does suggest some hope that things are starting to improve, with the rise of rescue centres and sanctuaries in northern Thailand. These places would be a much more ethical way to get to see elephants in a safer environment that is dedicated to helping them rather than harming them.

[Mikindra Morin]

Mikindra Morin
CultureRoute Assignment 2

Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/16/world/asia/paetongtarn-shinawatra-thailand-prime-minister.html

Overall this article summarized the latest political upheaval in Thailand. I am quite unfamiliar with the politics in Thailand, but this article says that the democratically elected Prime Minister was ousted by the courts and a new Prime Minister was decided on behind closed doors without the input of voters. She is the daughter of a previous Prime Minister who was ousted by a coup. It appears that she is part of “the establishment” and brings more of the same to the position when many Thai people would prefer a change.

This article also highlighted the differences between younger Thai people (30-40) and the older generation (70s). It spoke often about how the younger generation has organized and tried to work within the democratic process, but even after winning the election were still stymied by the courts. It highlights their frustration with how the government has been working for decades and are trying to shift to a true democracy where voters decide their leaders.

[Mikindra Morin]

I also chose my article based on the politics in Thailand. I find it very interesting to see the momentum that younger Thai people have and are building to create a true democracy. It appears that the courts and other establishments in Thailand are trying to find ways to maintain the status quo while the voters are clear that they want change. I am an American and our politics here are a mess and so divided. I am interested to learn more about current and past political shifts in Thailand when I arrive. Thanks for sharing this article!

[Joshua Lean]

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40032444
The Nations article ‘Declining birthrates will see Thailand’s population drop by half in the next 60 years’ addresses the concerning statistics of Thailand’s declining population and the ramifications that could follow.

Public Health Minister, Dr Cholnan Srikaew has stated ‘The decline in Thailand’s birthrate has hit critical levels’. This alarming statement is supported by Thailand’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.16 children per woman in 2022 falling below the replacement rate of approximately 2.1 children per woman. This trend has shown significant annual decreases in population since 1993, perhaps most drastic in 2021 with a net loss of 64,957 people (485,085 newborns vs 550,042 deaths).

Perhaps the most concerning consequence of the declining population is the impact it could have on the nation’s wealth, costs for the elderly and Thai workforce. The working-age population (ages 15-64) is estimated to decrease from 44 million to just 14 million over the next 50 or so years. Demography specialist Kue Wongbunsin states ‘If the population decline continues like this and the working-age population continues shrinking, the government will face challenges in collecting taxes to support the country’s development.”

As someone who is traveling to Thailand, this article makes for uneasy reading and is quite saddening to learn about. I was not aware of this trending data and to discover the severe consequences it could have on the country’s welfare in the relatively short future is upsetting. The cost of living is a worldwide issue and is forcing people of all nations to make hard choices in their day to day lives. The cost of raising a child is substantial and consequently people are choosing to either have less or no kids at all. The opportunity to travel abroad and work is something I am very grateful for, however with significant challenges such as cost of living and declining populations present, these opportunities may be harder to facilitate in future.

[Katalin Smythe]

I really liked reading your analysis of the recent floods in Chiang Mai. Being in the region currently and so recently after their floods it is clear to see the some of the devastating impacts on the area. It is very easy when we are at home and away from these climate events to not realise the severity- pictures and videos can only show so much!
As these sort of events happen more regularly around the world you are right that it will impact everyone’s lives from those who live in the area to those travelling there. I agree with you that as teachers we have a responsibility to learn about these events so that we have the ability to discuss it with students.

[Joshua Lean]

Hi Heather,
I think you’ve done a great job summarising the key points and issues raised in the BBC’s article re Elephant exploitation. It’s really concerning the number of elephants across South East Asia that are mistreated and specifically the popularity of these sanctuaries that tourists are so keen to visit. I agree that the everybody should be aware of the treatment of these elephant before they decide to hand over their money to the sanctuaries. I suspect some travellers do not understand the extent of the mistreatment and assume the elephants enjoy people’s company. It is promising to hear the increase in rescue centres and sanctuaries across northern Thailand positively impacting the issue at hand. Hopefully overtime people become more aware of the exploiting nature of elephant sanctuaries and there will be less and less of them.
Kind regards
Josh

[Haley Borgrud]

Article Reference: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thailand-lgbtq-same-sex-marriage-equality-bill/

Thailand has made significant strides in LGBTQ+ rights, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. In June 2024, Thailand’s Senate overwhelmingly passed a marriage equality bill, following approval by the lower house earlier in the year. This legislation changes gender-specific terms like “husband” and “wife” to gender-neutral language in its marriage laws. As a result, same-sex couples now enjoy the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, including child adoption, tax benefits, and inheritance rights​

This historic move has placed Thailand among a growing list of countries globally, and alongside Taiwan and Nepal in Asia, that recognize same-sex marriage. Advocates have praised the new law for advancing equality, noting that it will strengthen family rights and protections for same-sex couples across the country. The growing visibility of LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand adds to its culture, making it a destination where diversity is celebrated and I strive to bring this inclusivity to my classrooms.

[Haley Borgrud]

Hi Makynna!
It was lovely to read your take on the UNICEF article, highlighting the significant role young people in Thailand are playing in reshaping the educational landscape. Through the Youth-Led Advocacy for Transforming Education Initiative, students are driving discussions around issues such as educational inequality, mental health, and inclusivity in learning environments. These youth advocates are directly engaging with policymakers to bring about reform, showing Thailand’s openness to involving younger generations in key decision-making processes. Understanding these evolving priorities can help to tailor teaching approaches to be more empathetic and supportive.

[Kayla Kruger]

Article: https://news.mongabay.com/2017/01/no-let-up-in-thailands-relentless-violent-siamese-rosewood-poaching/

The article highlights the illegal incursions into Thailand’s eastern national parks to fell Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis). Siamese rosewood, also known as Dalbergia cochinchinensis, is a large, slow-growing evergreen tree that produces valuable hardwood. These trees are native to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia and can grow up to 30 metres tall with a trunk diameter of up to120cm. Siamese Redwood is used to make high quality furniture, carvings, handcrafts, musical instruments, sewing machines and it can also be used for fuel and charcoal making.
According to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, Rosewood is the world’s most trafficked wildlife product. In the first few years of the 21st century alone, approximately $2.4 billion dollars’ worth of “hongmu” (redwood) timber was exported to China from the Mekong Region, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). Large groups of loggers are still making illegal incursions into Thap Lan, and the rest of Thailand’s eastern Dong Phayayen – Khao Yai Forest Complex (DPKY-FC, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005), often for weeks at a time to target the wood. The peak of illegal logging was between 2012-2014. According to Prawatsart Jantorntep, director of Thap Lan National Park the cases haven’t decreased, rather that they have gotten better at catching them.

I chose this article as I feel poaching isn’t something most people feel is important. My mother is a SANPark Honorary Ranger and issues like this is so common in South Africa. Poaching plants or even planting invasive species can cause disruptions to our environment. A few months ago, we had a trip to plant plants back into the wild. It was a great experience. People need be made aware of plant poaching as it can compromise the integrity of ecosystems. I am a plant collector and have imported plants from Thailand in the past and we have to be so careful of who we buy plants from.

[Kayla Kruger]

Hi Isaiah, this article hits close to home. I’m from the Eastern Cape in South Africa, “flooding” and “natural disaster” where never in our vocabulary, up until June 2024 when we had our first flooding due to heavy rain, improper infrastructure and not maintaining the canals in our city. This week we had our second flood for the year and we were without electricity for a week. The flood mostly affected the rural areas, small communities were taken in by local churches. I agree with you that we have to be aware of weather patterns and also know how to handle these situations and how to help giving back to the community.

[Author]

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