ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Zoeanne Cottell]

“Thailand: Dissolution of Move Forward Party an ‘untenable decision’ that stifles human rights.”
(https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/08/thailand-dissolution-of-move-forward-party-an-untenable-decision-that-stifles-human-rights/)

The article I’ve chosen investigates how the dissolution of the Move Forward Party reflects an ongoing struggle between democratic reform and Thailand’s Constitutional Monarchy.
The author highlights how Thailand’s Constitutional Court has weaponised the Lèse-Majesté law to stifle opposition and suppress movements pushing for political change.
The author also examines the historical tension between Thailand’s constitutional monarchy and democracy, noting that since the 2014 military coup, Lèse Majesté has been widely used to criminalise peaceful activism. Amnesty International has repeatedly called upon the Thai government to align this law with international human rights standards, yet it still remains a tool to suppress. This magnifies the impact on Thai citizens, their lives, and the Country’s ongoing struggle with democratic ideals, where attempts at reform at met with state resistance.

The constitutional monarchy Thailand has in place is vastly different from what I’m accustomed to in the UK. Whilst we have also have a constitutional monarchy there is a democratic right to the public, which ensures people can be heard no matter their political beliefs; although, there are many people who disagree with British democracy, and believe it is failing, which has brought discussions about our own electoral system.
Politics can be very consuming in the UK, so I can understand how it could be difficult to pull back from being so ingrained in what is going on politically, but I’ve also been able to learn and reflect on my own experiences back home.

[Zoeanne Cottell]

I think it’s especially important to allow young people to be up to date with technological developments, from being taught the basics on a computer to 3D printing.
There are so many careers which involve technology, and it’s become such a vast industry that’s become normalised in our day to day lives.
I also agree on your comment on differences in learning styles- I believe the key to enhancing students education is to embrace their learning styles.
I was lucky to have a wide range of resources in school, which definitely helped broaden my skills and I think it’s extremely beneficial for students to be able to learn from a range of technologies.

[Miche Kearns]

Response to Post #30819

Hey Zoeanne! I applaud you for your choice of article! Learning more about Thai History has been so interesting especially in relation to its dance with democracy. The devasting events of October 6, 1976, bears an eery resemblance to South Africa’s June 16, 1976, youth uprising that ended in so many deaths. It’s actually so emotional as a South African to know how many lives paid the price for my generation to be “born-frees” as we call them (name for those born after our first democratic elections in 1994). Speaking up against injustices and having the constitutional right to our opinions on all things (political, social etc…) regardless of race, age or socio-economic background is second nature to me, it’s a privilege our elders and ancestors fought so hard for, one that has now become a right us as the youth of South Africa feel called to exercise as often as we can when we feel called to do so. Realizing that this is not always the case in other parts of the world will certainly take a lot of getting used to. I love how beautifully you’ve linked the similarities and differences of belonging to a constitutional monarchy and it’s such a fascinating topic! I genuinely loved being able to have discourse on these kinds of topics as it’s such an eyeopener.

[Zoeanne Cottell]

Thank you, Miche!
I think it’s necessary that regardless of how repetitive it becomes, we continue to educate ourselves and others on such events, so as to not repeat the same mistakes.
It can be difficult to sit and reflect on your own privileges until directly faced with them, and I can certainly say coming to Thailand and learning about the history/current struggles has allowed me to cerebrate on the advantages I’ve received simply being born in the UK.

[Myrtle Matabane]

Hello
My name is Myrtle, I’m 52 years of age. I was born in Soweto – Johannesburg (South Africa). I was raised by my grandmother until the age of 11yrs. What a beautiful soul she was. She had so much confidence in me and my number one cheerleader in achieving my dreams and aspirations.
I have a postgraduate degree in Public Management from the University of Pretoria. I’ve worked for the government of South Africa for 16 years and retired in the real estate industry as a Property Practitioner.
I’ve always loved traveling within South Africa but never had an opportunity to travel overseas. When I was exploring the countries I could find work and travel, Thailand seemed very welcoming
I used to say take me anywhere in the world and I’ll be able to adjust. This was because of my background learning at boarding school when I was in high school.
The main challenge I guess would be on the language in the beginning, but I’m excited in learning the Thai language as I also teach English. It would be a fun experience for both teacher and learner as we both learn from each other.

[Eden Jamil]

“Thailand welcomes home trafficked 1,000-year-old statues returned by New York’s Metropolitan Museum”
https://apnews.com/article/antiquities-looted-art-latchford-thailand-e46a3c370bc1f351d626c91c771e9a66#

May of 2024 marked the return of two ancient statues to Thailand which had previously been trafficked out of the country and displayed in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET). Estimated to be over 1000 years old, these ancient artifacts (a tall bronze figure called the Standing Shiva or Golden Boy and a smaller sculpture called Kneeling Female) were looted and smuggled into the U.S. by notorious art dealer Douglas Latchford in the 1980s. The repatriation of these artworks is just one example of a growing movement among many museums in the U.S. and Europe who are attempting to confront the fact that many of their collections include items stolen from Asia, Africa, and other regions during periods of colonialism or times of conflict. Thailand’s success in having these pieces returned marks a significant step in the fight against art trafficking and an important win for Thailand in reclaiming its stolen heritage.
As somebody from the United States who is planning on traveling and living in Thailand, the discussion about the American perspective of other cultures artwork is important to me. Art, whether it be religious or social, ancient or modern, serves to tell a story. This story is often closely tied to its people, history, and tradition. When a nation like Europe or, in my case, America, takes this artwork or cultural object as its own, the story has now been vandalized- changed. I think that this is an important representation of the way that history gets forgotten, people get colonized, and cycles repeat. When I am in Thailand it is important to me to remember that I am, ultimately, an observer, and that when I participate in cultural practices it is because I was invited to do so. I believe that this mentality is essential for anybody visiting another country- to be mindful of and respectful toward the very many people and vast history that came before you. In the case of this article especially, to marvel at the beauty and story of a culture as an observer, rather than to demand my place in it.

[Haseena Seedat]

Article: https://www.scubadiving.com/koh-phi-phi-divers-partner-with-local-community-to-clean-tonsai-bay-during-covid-19-lockdown titled ‘Koh Phi Phi Divers Partner with Local Community to Clean Tonsai Bay During COVID-19 Lockdown’

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Koh Phi Phi in Thailand saw a significant reduction in tourists, providing a rare opportunity for the local community and dive professionals to address environmental challenges. Tero Kempas, manager of The Adventure Club, led a large-scale cleanup project in Tonsai Bay, removing over 21,000 kg of debris from the sea bed. This effort involved over 100 volunteer divers from various dive centers, who collected trash by hand and used lift bags for larger items like tires. The project, which ran from April to May 2020, not only cleaned the bay but also created an artificial reef structure to restore marine life. The support from local businesses, which provided food and resources for the volunteers, and the dedication of the dive community, highlighted the collective effort to protect the environment during the shutdown.

As a SCUBA diver traveling to Thailand, this project is particularly relevant, as it underscores the environmental challenges facing popular dive locations like Koh Phi Phi. Tonsai Bay, which is usually overrun with boat traffic, was finally accessible for cleanup due to the lockdown. For divers, this highlights the ongoing efforts to protect the underwater ecosystem that we love to explore. The results of this project mean cleaner, healthier dive sites for our future trips, ensuring that the marine life and habitats we encounter remain vibrant. Moreover, understanding the impact of tourism and boat traffic on these areas could inspire more sustainable diving practices and raise awareness about the importance of preserving Thailand’s stunning underwater environments. This article serves as an initiative for future clean-ups to ensure the safety of marine life worldwide. I hope the opportunity arises for me to volunteer in similar projects during my stay in Thailand. As an educator, various topics such as marine-life extinction and preservation of sites in Thailand can be used in the classroom, as well as school excursions visiting these sites.

[Haseena Seedat]

As an educator, I share your concerns about the educational disparities in Thailand, particularly between urban and rural schools. The lack of resources and qualified teachers in rural areas significantly impacts students’ learning experiences and outcomes. Your awareness of these issues is commendable, especially as you prepare to teach in Thailand and serves as an inspiration for me and all educators.

[Eden Jamil]

Hi Diana,
I really appreciated this information about Thailand and its growing importance in the music industry! I have definitely seen first hand the way that Thai media gains popularity through word of mouth primarily, such as the TikToker you mentioned or, in my own life, a suggested song by a friend. I have also seen, though, the way that Thailand is moving to the forefront of many entertainment conversations, the first I can think of being the TV series White Lotus. As a music lover myself I hope to see this market expand! I was so pleased during the course to hear snippets of Thai music and have since made an effort to delve in to other genres. In that sense, I also would love to see these other genres like Thai rock and jazz make their way to more popular media. Either way, I am really looking forward to exploring the music scene first hand.

[Sumudu Ileperuma]

7-Eleven staff in Thailand rescues cat that fell into water despite not knowing how to swim himself

The article followed a heartwarming moment about a man who rescues a cat from drowning. The efforts were made despite him not knowing how to swim. The video captured him in a 7-Eleven jacket during this valiant rescue in Bangkok. The bystander recorded and posted the video on Facebook where it went viral. The employee was recognized for his courageous act by 7-Eleven Thailand.

First, the rescuer looked for a tree branch that could reach the struggling cat. After realizing the first branch was too short, he was observed looking for a longer one. All the while the cat was waddling in the water. Proceeding the failed attempts, he decides to take a risk. The video showed the man holding on to the railing as he dipped his shoe into the water canal. The cat clutched onto his foot and held on to his leg so it could be pulled up to safety. The following picture showed the soaking wet cat safely on land. For someone traveling to Thailand, it is great to know that locals will help.

[Selebogo Nompozolo]

Hi Nosihle Zama
Thank you for enlightening me with teaching Style of Thai schools , which is mostly based in memorization than inquiry based method. As a teacher from South Africa teaching English second language, I found that the learners who memorized take a long time to be proficient in English than those who are inquiry based, by watching English television shows, read English books, use internet, play English games.
I experienced this by watching my daughter learn how to speak English before she even went to school from television, games and songs. She did the same with learning how to speak Afrikaans which is taught in South African schools. This may benefit the way we teach a language to someone who hardly speaks English at home.
The other challenge may be the language structure of Thailand is different from English language structure, which maybe confusing for learners. South African sign language structure is more similar to Thai language structure.
I hope I will able to implement my Sign language skills to help learners struggling to learn English the same way I did in South Africa.

[Charis Parker]

This is a great summary of the article you provided. The information you have gathered from your article helped me to better understand the education and gives great insight of what to expect when becoming a teacher in a Thai school.

[Emily Cooper]

The article I have chosen highlights the increasing levels of air pollution in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, which I’ve noticed first hand during my time here the last few days. Despite the weather being quite pleasant, the skies often appear clouded and grey, a clear sign of the rising pollution levels. Over the past week, air quality across the country has deteriorated, with 56 provinces, particularly in the north and northeast, experiencing higher PM2.5 levels. A report from the Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre on March 27 confirmed that many areas, including Bangkok, have surpassed national air quality standards. While the central and western regions also saw rising pollution, the southern part of the country enjoyed relatively better air quality.
As someone who will be living in Bangkok, the worsening air pollution will undoubtedly have an impact on my daily life, especially as I spend a lot of time outdoors. With air quality expected to continue declining in the coming days, I will need to take extra precautions. Health experts recommend reducing outdoor activities, wearing protective masks, and limiting exposure to the polluted air, particularly for those with respiratory concerns. As the pollution levels rise in both Bangkok and nearby provinces, it will be crucial for me to stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect my health during this period of heightened pollution.

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/air-quality-worsens-affecting-56-thai-provinces-with-high-pm2-5

[Jamie Burks]

Related Article: https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/thailand-srettha-foreign-policy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Recent years have seen a significant shift in the dictation and direction of Thailand’s foreign policy, and as such the development of policy is now primarily focused upon the aim of balancing relations between global hegemonic powers such as the United States and China. Following his appointment as Prime Minister in September of 2023, Srettha Thavisin has introduced a “proactive diplomacy” approach, with the bulk of this strategy focusing on securing new free trade agreements, leveraging Thailand’s soft power, and promoting key infrastructure projects, such as a proposed land bridge connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These initiatives are subsequently designed to bolster Thailand’s economic prospects and enhance its influence in a rapidly changing global landscape. ​

As a traveler or resident in Thailand, understanding this nuanced foreign policy is crucial, as it directly impacts the country’s international relations, economic environment, and regional stability. The emphasis on attracting foreign investment and fostering international partnerships may lead to improved infrastructure and increased economic opportunities. However, the balancing act between the U.S. and China could also influence visa policies, trade regulations, and diplomatic interactions that affect daily life. Staying informed about these developments will provide insight into how Thailand positions itself on the global stage and how such positioning may affect residents and visitors alike.

[Olly Millman]

“An evaluation of the effectiveness of protected areas in Thailand”
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X21002016

This paper discusses the current state of Thailand’s protected areas (PAs) and identifies significant gaps in their representation and coverage of critical ecoregions and biodiversity hotspots. The research highlights that several important ecosystems, such as mangroves, wetlands, and freshwater swamps, are critically underrepresented within Thailand’s PA network, with some areas, such as the Indochina mangroves and Chao Phraya freshwater swamps, lacking sufficient protection altogether. The article provides a detailed analysis of how the existing network of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, while offering valuable protection to some species and ecosystems, still falls short in addressing critical biodiversity hotspots, particularly in lowland and coastal regions. This leaves certain species and ecosystems vulnerable to human activity, such as deforestation, urban expansion, and industrial development, which are very apparent in regions like the Gulf of Thailand and the Central Indochina dry forests.

As someone who studied zoology with a strong passion for conservation and maintaining biodiversity, I find it concerning that Thailand’s most valuable ecosystems are not adequately protected. It is interesting to me that a country with such amazing wildlife struggles to maintain it, and it excites me that I could play a part in its biodiversity recovery as I pursue my passion for conservation in the not-so-distant future. I also hope to use my position as a teacher to raise awareness about this struggle for wildlife conservation and to teach about the beautiful wildlife that surrounds the locals here. With the possibility of incorporating discussions about the protection of biodiversity and sustainability into my curriculum, I hope that I can inspire my students to appreciate their natural surroundings and understand the need for conservation.

[Author]

Posts