ASSIGNMENT 2: ARTICLE ANALYSIS

[Luthando Mdlalose]

This article is interesting because it outlines the importance of an educated country and its leaders taking action in education emphasis. An educated society is a strong society .Thailand has a vast population similar to South Africa where it’s a multicultural country but through this system I also believe many areas of focus will be covered .

[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 occurred 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]

Hi Emily
This article is an eye opener about the effects that urbanization has on the environment ,forest burning and factories contribute so much to the pollution in the air.This article has equipped me with the relevant knowledge that I should take into consideration since I will be travelling to Thailand shortly, where possible I will wear a mask and also reduce exposure to the polluted environment.I think it is also key to raise awareness about the increased pollution and its effects on the environment.

[Madeline Muscat]

Assignment 2: Article Analysis
“BBC – The scintillating, diverse and legendary cuisine of Thailand”

https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/advertiser-content/amazing-thailand/the-scintillating-diverse-and-legendary-cuisine-of-thailand

Something I am super keen on for my travel is to try all the authentic food in Thailand. Unfortunately I am someone that can’t handle their spice well but I plan to still try their beautiful cultural cuisines.

Thailand is renowned for its vibrant and diverse culinary scene, which has become a key aspect of its tourism appeal. From street food stalls to fine dining, the country offers a rich variety of flavors and dishes, with popular Thai staples such as Pad Thai, Massaman curry, and Tom Yum Kung.
As some food has become more Westernised especially to suit people who can’t handle the original spice amount, it has become a very popular cuisine across the globe.
Ayutthaya is an example of Thailand’s culinary and cultural heritage. The city blends historical influences from Portugal, Japan, India, and Persia into its local cuisine. Its food scene is a mix of traditional long-established restaurants and modern eateries, including floating markets and local cafes. Beyond the food, Ayutthaya is a destination rich in history, with ancient temple ruins and royal palaces, making it a unique location for food lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

[Shaw Zhang]

Related article: Will The White Lotus turn Thailand into a paradise lost? – April 5, 2025 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-will-the-white-lotus-turn-thailand-into-a-paradise-lost/

This article features insights from a Canadian expat on what it means to live in Thailand, who notes that “Life is fun and magical for foreigners here […] and it is also different.” One phenomenon the author mentions is called the “White Lotus effect” which describes how the massively popular show of the same name has created a massive surge in tourism to Thailand. With this increase in foreigners going to Thailand, it is not unreasonable to assume some people would want to reside there long-term but doing so might be harder than expected. As per the article, “recent wars have greatly increased the number of ex-pats interested in living here” which only increases competition in a job market where “work permits are hard to come by and many jobs […] are reserved for Thais.” Further, locals remark that “this [year’s] high season has been the busiest in ages” and this could certainly contribute to the growing problem of overtourism in the country, which places serious strain on the resources of popular tourist destinations.
The author also further discusses overtourism and reveals that it is perhaps a more complex issue than it might seem on the surface. The White Lotus recently received praise from the government for being behind an increase in tourism that helped suffering local economies recover after the effects of COVID. However, when an unexpected summer storm hit Ko Pha-Ngan Island outside of the regular season, locals attributed it to recent construction on the mountainside of luxury housing made to accommodate the sudden increase in tourists.
The issues raised by the author of this article are highly relevant to me as a foreigner myself who is going to work in Thailand. A consideration that I will try to keep at the front of my mind throughout my stay is how to maintain a respectful relationship with Thailand in all of its facets: the people, the land and the culture, to name a few. And while it is unreasonable to expect myself to fully embrace Thai culture and forget about my home culture entirely, another important thing for me will be to immerse myself in my new surroundings as much as I can to get a true understanding of what it means to live in Thailand.

[Shaw Zhang]

Hi Gemma,
You make some really important points about the political climate in Thailand. It’s clear that the desire for change, especially among the youth, is strong, but the military’s influence still creates significant obstacles. While the Move Forward Party’s success is encouraging, the disproportionate power of military-appointed senators could lead to more gridlock. It’s a tense moment for the country, and as you mentioned, the certification of the results will be key in determining whether Thailand moves toward meaningful reform or stays stuck in its current cycle. Definitely something to keep an eye on if you’re traveling there.

[Fanni Rottenstein]

Related article:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/thai-hill-tribe-teaching-coffee-making-travellers
“This hill tribe is teaching coffee-making to travellers in northern Thailand”
This article guides us through a unique experience, coffee-making, which any visitor can try if they can find this hill tribe in northern Thailand. You start from the basics, roasting the coffee beans with a really old (72-year-old) roaster. Lo-Ue Jayo, a farmer, helps you along the way while explaining the process thoroughly. He said you can learn to make good coffee using your senses: looking, listening, and smelling. Travellers can participate in the process from harvesting to weeding to roasting the coffee beans, and the best part, of course, is that you can also taste it at the end.
Lo-Ue started from nothing when he first established his Americano farm; he had no idea how to make it work, and for me, the funniest thing was that he didn’t even like coffee that much. Knowing that makes his achievement much more admirable. He uses the forest farming technique, which is designed to sustain the ecosystem.
In my opinion, this experience can also be really informative in another aspect; you can learn a lot about hill tribes. The article also mentions some information about them, but if you travel there, you can see it for yourself. Typically, if you visit Thailand, you probably don’t pay much attention to these tribes, but they are also part of the country, so in my opinion, it is a good opportunity to learn about them as well. Also, it is interesting for me, because I like coffee, so the idea of making it myself this way is a unique opportunity and seems like a fun experience.

[Fanni Rottenstein]

Hi Janette,

I enjoyed your summary of the article about Muay Thai. Having some background in other martial arts forms, I found a lot of important information in the article. For example, I had no idea its roots originated in the military from the 13th century. Also, I know that sometimes they call it the “Art of 8 limbs”, but I had no idea why, so now I learned that as well. After reading this, I am even more excited to try out this fantastic sport and become even more familiar with it.

[Moses Havers]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3003627/songkran-road-accidents-and-injuries-pass-1-000?tbref=hp

The Bangkok Post article highlights the alarming rate of road accidents during Thailand’s Songkran holiday, with over 1,000 accidents and more than 1,000 injuries reported within just the first four days of travel. Despite an 18% drop in fatalities compared to the previous year, the figures remain concerning, with speeding and drunk driving named as the top causes. Notably, motorcycles were involved in 77% of all accidents—reflecting the widespread use of motorbikes as everyday transportation in Thailand. The article also draws attention to regional differences, with Bangkok recording the highest number of fatalities, and the southern and northern provinces seeing the most accidents and injuries. The government’s continued monitoring and logistical efforts highlight the challenges of managing mass movement during festive travel periods.

In contrast, the UK sees its most dangerous driving day on New Year’s Day, with serious injuries or fatalities exceeding 3,000 in 2022. However, there are clear contextual differences: motorcycle use is far less common in the UK, meaning car-related crashes dominate. Additionally, the UK’s New Year celebrations typically happen at night, increasing the risk of impaired driving due to alcohol consumption. Due to New Years being in winter, and therefore colder weather conditions. New Years celebrations commonly involve heavy alcohol consumption late into the night and early morning. In comparison with Songkran, where the water fight is a huge part of the celebrations, with all ages taking part. UK New Years is primarily seen as an opportunity to celebrate and drink alcohol, it is not seen as a big celebration by many children in the UK. Many drivers are over the legal limit the following morning, contributing to a higher percentage of alcohol-related incidents. This contrast reveals how cultural norms, climate, and transport habits shape the nature of holiday-related road accidents in each country, while reinforcing the shared need for stronger road safety enforcement during festive seasons.

[Moses Havers]

Thanks for sharing your analysis of “First-time voters eager for their say.” I thought you did a great job summarizing the article’s main points and highlighting the importance of youth engagement in Thailand’s political process. The quote you included—“I want to see change in my community”—really stood out to me because it captures the sense of empowerment and responsibility that many young voters are starting to feel.

I also appreciated how you acknowledged both the potential and the challenges these first-time voters face. The role of social media as a tool for political education is a particularly interesting point—especially as younger generations rely more on digital sources than traditional ones. It made me reflect on how important accessible, unbiased political information is, not just in Thailand but globally. Your analysis reminded me how powerful it can be when young people are encouraged and supported to participate in shaping their future.

[Tania Wilson]

Kia Ora Bethan,
The article was a great read and felt completely relatable. Thank you for sharing your insights and relating to your own personal feelings with the lead up to your move. Like mentioned by you and the article, there is this pure focus on getting ready to make the move to Thailand. Have you got all the right documentation, ticking all the things off the lists to make sure you are prepared to move logistically. But what actually happens when you get there?
I can personally relate to your worries and nervousness about moving abroad as this will be the first time I will be leaving my family/ friends and things you have known your whole life. But as your friend said ‘ It will be an amazing experience”. And they are right. But it is valid to have initial nerves.
I really liked the expectation vs reality in the article. It also not only gives the authors experience but highlights a range of experiences of their friends. It is refreshing to read this, but also makes you realise your experience will be different from others. It will be your own journey.
Thank you for sharing this article, it has certainly given me some helpful tips for my journey to Thailand. I wish you well on your travels.

[Tania Wilson]

Related article: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2930586/thailands-education-ministry-ramps-up-zero-dropout-policy
Thailand’s Education Ministry ramps up zero dropout policy

A summary of this article is highlighting the efforts that the Education Ministry is taking to get as many student dropouts back into the education system. In the article the author indicates the huge number of dropouts in 2024 through a survey conducted where there was “1,025,514 children aged 3-18 dropped out”. That is a significant number of students who are not receiving an education. The survey also looked at those numbers of students who had dropped out: “767,304 were Thai students”. All the others that took part in the survey were children from “foreign nations”. Educational Minister Permpoon Chidchob stated “tackling the school dropout problem is part of the efforts to promote educational equality”.
He also goes on to discuss the different ways of trying to bring back school dropouts by adjusting to the needs of the students. Another important figure in the article was Niyom Phaisophad. It is said he is the “director of the basic education policy and planning bureau under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec)”. Niyom is continuing to find solutions for student dropouts that cannot return back to school and stated “Obec will take their education directly to their homes instead.” This is humbling to know that there will be no barriers to students being reintegrated into the education system somehow.

This article only looks at the surface of what is being implemented in terms of trying to get as many students back into school. It is however incredible to see that there is an immense effort being taken to do so. A statistic that was reassuring was that “46.7 %” of Thai students were brought back into the education system from those that were a part of the 2024 survey. That is “365,231 students”. As a teacher in my home country, it is important for me to know the emphasis the Thai Education Ministry is putting on education. That the Zero dropout policy has been put into place and that there are clear steps I can see for students to have an equal and fair education. This article has also inspired me to further investigate what is happening in Thailand education and is encouraging to see what is being accomplished. As I will be moving to Thailand to teach, the article has given me some insight into the dynamics of the education system but continues the emphasis on knowing your learners that are in front of you.That everyone comes from diverse backgrounds and regardless of who you are and where you come from, everyone deserves a fair and equal chance to an education.

[Daniel Beard]

I think it is encouraging to see young first time voters eager to cast their vote and et their voice be heard. It would be best if there was a debate or some way for the candidates to share their hopes and plans if they are elected. Still I think that first time voters should be aware that some political candidates don’t always follow through on their promises. Candidates on the other should be sharing their plans especially with 200, 000 new voters. If these people are the future of the country. I think if they (the voters) are young they will go to social media to voice their concerns and the candidates should take notice of this. As I mentioned it is good to see younger people taking a concern to who will be in political positions but many of them may be misinformed of the candidates and what they have promised. I think there should some type of debate or discussion for the candidates to show themselves and that way this new voters can attend or view on TV or internet and make a more informed decision.

[Daniel Beard]

Source of Article https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2846346/teaching-english-in-thailand-is-the-pay-worth-the-move-
Moving to Thailand to teach English is easier said than done. There salaries vary depending on the location. A place like Bangkok would most likely pay higher than other areas because the cost of living is more in Bangkok. Schools pay between 25.000-55,000 baht. It may be an adjustment and giving up certain luxuries that an expat would be use to back in their home country. Although the pay is less than what a teacher in the west would make it is livable because the cost of living in Thailand is much less. Food can be cheap as well as affordable public transportation.
. It all comes down to what each individual sees as an essential and what things he/she can give up. For me growing up in Thailand my childhood was primitive but I did not feel like I missed certain luxuries because Thailand is all I knew at first. When I would travel to the west I saw people had a totally different priorities. Living off a teacher’s salary in Thailand will require an adjustment and people should have to sacrifice anything drastic like food and housing. For some people it could be an upgrade from their current living situations.

[John Burwell]

Related article: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/tourism/2024/06/20/three-country-route-trat-sihanoukville-dusted-off-for-high-season/

This article discusses the efforts between Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam to create new sea routes for trade and tourism among the three countries. These routes would connect popular coastal provinces and increase commerce. Thailand is working on a new pier in Khlong Yai that will be multiuse for a variety of sea vessels. The initial route would connect Khlong Yai to Sihanoukville in Cambodia and if all goes well, can be extended to Ca Mau, Vietnam. All three countries are looking at improving infrastructure to support the new venture. The countries also have the backing of private business investments since companies that already have inter-island routes would be able to expand service to the neighboring countries and capture more revenue. Ideally this route that features the natural beauty of the region will attract international attention and bring more foreign tourism with it.
The project isn’t without its challenges however, as many diplomatic and financial concerns will need to be addressed. The countries will need to streamline a customs and immigration system for tourists travelling along this route. In addition to keeping things running smoothly for travelers, companies will have to analyze the performance of the route and determine costs between each country in order to get the most benefit. Companies will need to strike a balance between speed and cost on these routes in order to win over business that may otherwise choose existing land or air transit. Additionally, they will need to determine schedules, port fees, and begin a joint effort to market this route.
I found this article interesting because I will be living and working in Trat. I thought that its proximity to Cambodia would give it a distinct feel, but if routes are opened to increase trade with Cambodia and Vietnam, I’m sure there would be a further mixing of culture in the area. Being from the United States, I’m also mindful of my role as an outsider and wanting to make a good impression while in Thailand. It’s good to hear about these countries working together to increase commerce and opportunities for people in the region, but occasionally a bad apple will make the news and paint a less than flattering picture of foreigners. It seems foreign tourists mainly see Trat as a stopover on their way to Koh Chang and Koh Kood, so I hope an increase in traffic to the region doesn’t put undue strain on the locals in an area where accommodation is already strained in peak season.

[Author]

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