ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Jamie Burks]

I thoroughly enjoyed the analysis of this article and the incredibly important issue that it highlights, conservation of the natural world in my opinion remains as one of the most important factors in regards to nearly every sector of global activity, as ultimately economic gain and the accumulation of resources is futile if we cannot protect our Earth and its ecosystems for future generations. I additionally liked that you mentioned the possibility of utilising your role as a teacher as a means of teaching the importance of biodiversity and the instrumental role that wildlife conservation plays in this.

[Olly Millman]

Hi Jamie!
I think this is a really interesting article to write about, as the potential consequences of this situation directly relate to us during our time in Thailand, and it is important to stay informed on how these shifts in international relations could impact visa policies, trade regulations, and economic opportunities. As you mentioned, the proposed land bridge could significantly enhance trade and connectivity, but it would be interesting to see how Thailand maintains its role in ASEAN and balances regional interests moving forward.

[AJ Logan]

Related article: https://asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tct.13823

The article is: An approach to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in Thai medical education from the past to the present by Nanthida Phattraprayoon, Teerapat Ungtrakul, Lois Haruna-Cooper, Mohammed Ahmed Rashid

In the article, it discussed how demographics, socioeconomical status and other factors contribute to admission into medical school. Educational opportunities in rural areas are limited compared to those in urban areas. The same thing also applies to those that are from a lower working class than a socioeconomically privileged background. More access to resources and better educational opportunities are available to those with wealth and status.

To remedy this, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of E and the Medical Council of Thailand have developed an admission policy and application process strategy aimed at reducing disparities between rural and urban students aspiring to pursue medical careers and improving the number of medical providers. This policy demonstrates how medical education has become more equitable in the modern era.

This relates to me because I grew up in an urban area in the United States and I also had experienced limited access to resources and educational opportunities due to where I lived. Unfortunately, my country does not have policies in place like Thailand to allow individuals to take advantage of gaining admission into medical schools regardless of their economic status or class. I feel as though our country and society should mimic the policies and procedures that Thailand has implemented for all people to pursue their dreams.

[AJ Logan]

Hello Zoeanne,
I remember reading in the text about how throughout time, Thailand’s government changed from a monarchy to a constitutional system. Starting in 1973, the first democratic government was elected and then unfortunately returned to a dictatorship just 3 years later. It took over a decade for democracy to be reinstated but with a military coup that was supported by Thailand’s upper class the country fell under a monarchy again.
Thailand has faced considerable challenges in sustaining a democracy. It appears money and status are the driving forces that dictate what direction society will go in when it comes to politics. Unfortunately, it looks as though my country is moving in path towards a dictatorship based on recent actions that have been made by the elected official. Thank you for sharing your profound insight on the article.

[Janette Frey]

Related Article: https://yokkao.com/pages/muay-thai-history
The article What is Muay Thai starts out by discussing the history of the sport, different contact points, and its evolution over time. Muay Thai has 8 contact points that are a variation of different punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Muay Thai is also known for its pre fight dance rituals known as Wai Wru Ram Muay. As someone coming from a competitive powerlifting background, I am interested in learning more of the culture behind sports in Thailand.
Muay Thai has become a way of life for soldiers throughout the centuries and its origin can be traced to the Sukhothai dynasty in the 13th century.
Muay Thai has evolved over the years to what we now know as modern Muay Thai. Incorporating techniques from traditional boxing and padding, fights typically last anywhere between 3 and 5 rounds. Due to safety concerns, they have come to regulate striking points such as to the joints, back, or head. Muay Thai has been around for centuries and has evolved over time but it remains a unique part of Thai culture and I am eager to learn.

[Janette Frey]

Thank you for your summary of the legalization of gay marriages and continue progressive changed Thailand has been making. I hadn’t heard about “rainbow tourism” before, but I agree that these policy changes allow of inclusivity among citizens and tourists.

[Luthando Mdlalose]

Related article: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c4gex01m7n5t?post=asset%3A83f595e0-bfe1-4c5e-a30c-9e6e587fa78e#post

Queues, closures, traffic: Transport becomes difficult in Bangkok
This article portrays the effect the recent earthquake that occured in Thailand ,Bangkok on 28 March has had on mobility ,not forgetting to mention the famous Skytrain and the subway which are also closed. The only vehicles operating are the buses ,the traffic on the roads is packed and that many are stuck in their workplace and have no means to arrive home.

There has been signs of long queues outside the train stations as the locals wait for possible transportation services. This has also impacted the ride apps as booking a motorbike or car is almost impossible ,this is because of the demand increase and the difficulty to move around the traffic therefore the price has also skyrocketed.
This article relates to me as someone who will be travelling to Thailand because it outlines the impact that a natural disaster can have of the social and economic platforms. The airports were not operational for hours and resumed hours later ,this has proven the importance of travel insurance as this has been stressed enough by the programme directors. This also portrays that I should always be vigilante because these events occur unplanned and that I should remain calm until help arrives.

[Luthando Mdlalose]

I also agree with this initiative because I have read that Thailands remote regions also offer beautiful agriculture scenery and rice cultivation experience so it would make economic sense that they also contribute to the GDP of the country also catering for a wide range of tourists and intererests .

[GeorgieMcCarty]

Related Article: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/thailand-s-soft-power-boom-pop-culture-and-global-expansion#:~:text=By%2Dproducts%20of%20Thai%20pop%20culture%20rise&text=Celebrities%20are%20courted%20by%20high,impact%20of%20Thai%20star%20power.

This article covers Thailand’s growing global influence thanks to its recent pop culture renaissance. One particular way Thailand has gained more global recognition is through Boys’ Love (BL) & Girl Love (GL) dramas, as well as fashion & Thai pop music.
Thailand has strategically positioned itself as a cultural influencer, using its unique storytelling and representation of LGBTQ+ themes to attract international audiences. The Thai government has actively supported the movement through policies like the “5Fs” strategy and tax incentives. Additionally, Thai content has become more accessible thanks to new streaming platforms. All together, this has greatly enhanced the country’s global image and economic prospects.
This article and topic are relevant to me and other expats because a country’s art, culture, and media provides insight into its values and future. Its ability to accurately depict same sex relationships is telling as well. In my opinion, Thailand’s depiction of same sex love proves to be far more accurate and humanizing than, for example, the U.S.’s previous attempts, many of which are one dimensional and overly sexualized. It is my opinion that Thailand’s values allow for a more nuanced depiction. This is unique and one reason Thailand is reaching such a large international audience. They are meeting a global need that has long been neglected.

[GeorgieMcCarty]

I enjoyed reading your post because the topic is both interesting and important. I also come from a semi rural background within the U.S. As a country I think it’s important to encourage interested members from all backgrounds to get involved in the medical industry, as it is difficult to know the true needs of a community you are not part of. I admire Thailand for attempting to bridge this gap and agree it would be wise for the U.S. to do something similar.

[Bethan Peploe]

I came across this article which is about someone moving from the USA to Thailand to teach and the expectations and reality of their experience. I wanted to read this as I will be doing exactly the same thing, except I am moving from the UK: https://greenhearttravel.org/blog/teach-abroad-thailand/expectations-vs-reality-of-living-and-teaching-in-thailand-and-tips-for-a-smooth-transition

As it is closer to the time that I will be moving, I guess that the excitement has turned into nerves as I am now considering some of the negatives that I never really thought about to begin with – I guess I really don’t know what to expect. Like the person who wrote this, I think most of my time before was spent making sure that I had submitted the relevant documentation, made sure I had booked my flight and then I just thought about actually arriving in Thailand – I really didn’t think about how hard it might be to adjust living in a different country when I got there. They also mention that during orientation week was when they really began to have an idea of what to expect which has made me feel a little better that I wasn’t the only person feeling like this. They talk about experiencing culture shock, which I am expecting. The article gives advice on how to deal with the feeling and to embrace it.

All of my friends in the UK have said how amazing this opportunity is and that I will ‘be fine’ moving to another country. They are right, it will be amazing, but I feel they are only looking at the potential highs of the experience, whereas this article talks about some of the negatives and the actual reality of moving abroad. My friends were not considering how scary it actually is to make that move and leave the life that you have always known and leave friends and family, I am worried that I won’t make friends as easily as myself and everyone initially thought. I have accepted that some days I might feel lonely, but I will get through it. This article has really helped – they advise you to say yes to everything that fellow teachers and Thai friends invite you to. In the article, they mention not to compare your experience with anyone else’s experience because in reality no one’s experience is going to be the same.

I really enjoyed reading this article as I feel I can relate directly to the person who wrote this. Overall, the article provides an insight into the experience of teaching and living in Thailand, gives you tips on how to prepare adjusting to living abroad and point out the importance of keeping an open mind. I am so excited for the opportunity to live and teach in Thailand however I am also ready to embrace the lows that may or may not come with the experience, it is all part of this amazing learning journey that I am about to begin.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by Bethan Peploe. Reason: Article link wasn't posted

[Cory Dadak]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2985488/uk-thai-ties-at-a-pivotal-moment.
Bangkok Post – UK-Thai ties at a ‘pivotal moment’

The United Kingdom and Thailand celebrate the 170th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year. The UK Trade Envoy to Thailand, Matt Western, Highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral trade and investment ties with new opportunities coming from the signing of the Strategic Partnership Roadmap and the Enhanced Trade Agreement. By reducing trade barriers and enabling easier access to each country’s markets for businesses, both countries’ economies could thrive.

Western identified several key areas where both countries could see substantial growth with collaboration, such as education, automotive, clean energy, and defence. One area highlighted that’s particularly interesting is education. Coming from the UK, and living in Thailand, I hope the presence of UK curriculum schools and proposed student exchange programs can offer a strong foundation for cultural and educational ties between the two countries.

It’s an exciting time to be living in Thailand, and being part of this growing cultural exchange. As the countries partnerships evolve we could see a dramatic change in the lifestyle and culture of both the western and the Thai people.

[Cory Dadak]

Hi Bethan,

I like how personal this summarisation is and how you highlight all the thoughts and feelings everybody on this journey must be having. You mention at the start of your journey a lot of time was spent preparing to travel and not really feeling the gravity of your decision. It can be scary moving to a completely different environment, with a new culture, new food and all new people, but much like your friends mentioned, it’s a fantastic opportunity with the negatives being offset by the potential. This can only be done by fully embracing the experience, accepting the lows as part of the journey, and being open to new opportunities. Like the article says, Just say yes! You provide a real but optimistic perspective on the challenges and rewards of living in Thailand. And highlight the importance of being open-minded and prepared for all aspects of the experience. I hope the article helps you in your journey and wish you all the best. I appreciate you summarising this article as it may help me on my journey as well.

Expectations vs. Reality of Teaching in Thailand and Tips for Adjusting to Life in the Land of Smiles

[Bethan Peploe]

Hi James. This was a great insight to understanding the culture of Thai food. I am from the UK and I do eat Thai food however I’ve never been to Thailand therefore I am excited to properly experience the culture of Thai food. It was interesting to read that Thai food culture is very social, as being from the UK like you, I often find myself eating alone unless it was for a special occasion as you said. I love the concept of sharing food, I love to order a variety of food for the table and try new things however in the UK I find that this is very rare, so I don’t get to do it often, I’m super excited that I will get to experience this regularly. Thank you for sharing the article, it was an interesting read and I agree with a lot of the points that you made about it. Especially that in Thai cuisine there is no specific meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner – I suppose people in the UK may see cereal as a snack but it would be very rare to see someone eating chicken or steak for breakfast!

[Symone Hawkins]

Thank you so much for this! I really enjoyed reading this article and your analysis. I think I’ll revisit this throughout my journey to course correct throughout my time in Thailand. I can relate to having some expectations and fears of what’s to come. I think they are all valid and exist on some scale real for everyone of us. It allows me to be more realistic and present for what I may be in for. I also relate to the unbeknownst cheers from folks back home who are all gung-ho about my potential versus my reality. The reality is we have to live it, they don’t. We can take as much advice as we want if we realize that we are the first. No one giving advice has done this before. We are forging our own path and we make of it what we can. I am excited to see you grow and take shape with this journey. I’ll be doing the same thing, fear be damned! You are not alone! We’ll get through this together!

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