Journal of Mekong Societies

ASEAN-Indochinese Relations from the British Perspective, 1989-1993

2023-08-17T13:31:03+07:00

This research aimed to study the historical development of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Indochinese countries between 1989 and 1993 and to identify the attitude of the British government vis-à-vis ASEAN policy towards the Indochinese states during this period. Analysis drew on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s recently declassified archival documents held at the National Archives at Kew in the United Kingdom. The research found that the ASEAN member states were generally supportive of the inclusion of Indochinese states in the organization. The level of support for Myanmar/Burma’s membership varied, with Thailand being the most supportive. Although ASEAN coherence was high, there were uncertainties as to the effects of the Indochinese states’ membership on the organization. The British were initially skeptical of Vietnam’s capacity for economic and political reform, but became more supportive. Indochinese developments were not the main hindrance to ASEAN and European Community relations. Instead, the Portuguese position regarding Indonesia and East Timor proved to be the main obstacle.

Exploring the Factors Influencing Corrupt Behavior in Vietnam’s Public Sector through the Theory of Planned Behavior

2023-05-10T08:14:05+07:00

This research, grounded in the theory of planned behavior, investigates the determinants of corruption within Vietnam’s public sector. This theory posits that an individual’s intention to perform a specific behavior is influenced by their attitude towards the behavior, perceived social norms, and perceived control over the behavior. The present study argues that understanding the factors influencing corrupt practices can enhance anti-corruption measures in Vietnam. It identifies significant predictors of corrupt intentions by utilizing a multivariable linear regression model on a sample of 200 individuals selected through random sampling. It finds that positive attitudes towards corruption, perceived supportive norms of corruption, and a sense of control over corrupt actions significantly increase the likelihood of engaging in corruption, as indicated by regression coefficients of β = 0.153 (p = 0.001), β = 0.203 (p = 0.000), and β = 0.350 (p = 0.000), respectively. These results underscore the importance of effectively addressing these three key factors to combat corruption in Vietnam’s public sector.

Unveiling the Uses and Gratifications of Social Media: A Comparative Study of Thai Generation Y Internet Users in Bangkok and Upcountry

2023-10-24T22:03:30+07:00

Recent statistics have shown that the number of social media users in Thailand is increasing dramatically. Generation Y is one of the core user groups that stands out as having the highest social media usage. This ever-increasing shift to an online environment is what triggered the present study. Employing the uses and gratifications approach, this study examined how Thais use social media to gratify their needs. It also compared the needs of social media use between Thai Generation Y living in Bangkok and those living upcountry. A total of 1,265 responses were obtained. The results revealed that the top motivation of social media use among Thai Generation Y was to release tension. Differences between Bangkok and upcountry Generation Y were also reported. This study strengthens the cornerstone of uses and gratifications theory (UGT) and will be of interest to media practitioners, content creators, and policy makers.

What If the Urban Primacy of Bangkok Did Not Exist?

2023-11-08T11:33:56+07:00

The urban primacy of Bangkok has long reflected uneven provincial and regional development in Thailand. To date, various approaches, including indicators in the demographic, socioeconomic, and physical dimensions, have been employed to observe and explain its urban primacy. In contrast to previous studies, the present study starts by asking the question: What if the urban primacy of Bangkok did not exist? Analysis was conducted by setting two scenarios, namely, with and without the Bangkok data. The main objective of the study is to explore and compare the two scenarios at the provincial level using six indicators, namely, urban population and urbanization rate (demographic), gross provincial product (GPP) and GPP per capita (economic), human achievement index (social), and built-up area (physical). Furthermore, the study analyzed the rank-size distribution and relationships among these indicators. The results indicate that indicators in the demographic and economic dimensions evidently reflect the primacy of Bangkok; however, an indicator in the social dimension is not representative of Bangkok’s primacy. Thus, the study concludes that with or without the urban primacy of Bangkok, no difference exists in terms of the social development index among Thai cities.

Impacts of Synchronous and Asynchronous English Learning Modes on Translation Quality Amidst the Challenges of the Covid-19 Era

2023-02-28T17:09:58+07:00

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a profound transformation in the landscape of language education, necessitating a shift from traditional face-to-face classrooms to online learning. This mixed-method study aimed at achieving two objectives: firstly, to investigate the impact of synchronous and asynchronous online learning modes on translation quality, and secondly, to explore the learners’ perceived benefits and challenges through a repeated-measure design. Twenty-two Thai EFL learners were stratified into two groups: an Asynchronous-Synchronous group (ASG) and a Synchronous-Asynchronous group (SAG). The ASG started with the asynchronous mode of learning and switched to a synchronous learning mode via Zoom, while the ASG received the same instruction, but in the reverse sequence. Both groups received a pre-test, a Time1 post-test after completing the first mode of learning, and a Time2 post-test after the last week of the study, as well as a questionnaire. The findings revealed that both learning modes had exhibited comparable effects on translation quality. Contrary to their actual performance, the questionnaire responses indicated a slight preference among learners for the synchronous mode over the asynchronous mode, but there had not been a significant difference. Notably, the learners’ perceptions of online learning had not aligned with their academic achievements. Despite expressing a belief that both online learning modes had fallen short of the effectiveness of traditional face-to-face classrooms, the learners expressed a preference for continuing their studies online.

Effects of the Listening Strategy Self-Regulated Learning Model on Thai EFL Undergraduate Students’ Listening Comprehension

2023-11-03T14:52:29+07:00

This study investigated the effects of the Listening Strategy Self-Regulated Model on the utilization of listening strategies among EFL undergraduate students to comprehend academic lectures. The model, which integrates listening strategies with Zimmerman’s (2000) cyclical model of self-regulation, was implemented with 21 Thai EFL undergraduate students at Khon Kaen University. Research tools included tests, questionnaires, and interviews, with data analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results obtained from the questionnaire showed that participants effectively applied various listening strategies to enhance lecture comprehension, despite encountering difficulties, such as rapid speech, technical terms, and unclear passages. Test scores showed improvement in listening comprehension. Interviews revealed the use of diverse strategies across different lecture segments, including meta-cognitive planning, cognitive inferencing/guessing, practicing, and socio-affective cooperation. Recommendations include allowing more time for strategy application within self-regulated learning and encouraging personalized models for investigation of strategy usage.

Identity Construction within the Production Process of Thai Silk Weaving Groups in Khon Kaen Province

2023-05-14T13:02:28+07:00

This qualitative research studied identity construction within the silk production process of weaving groups in Khon Kaen province. In depth interviewing and observation were used to collect data from 22 key informants, including representatives from Dok Koon and Ratchaphruk Silk Weaving Groups, as well as other relevant organizations. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The study found both similarities and differences between the two Khon Kaen-based weaving groups’ identity construction through their storytelling and silk production processes. In the first stage of the production process – raw material preparation – identity construction depended on the different objectives of the weaving groups (to weave and to sell the silk thread versus to weave only), which were certified by governmental organizations differently. The different skills of the two group members led to the difference of the silk preparation stage: Identity was constructed and it differed between the two groups based on their different stories of pattern creation methods (for example, ikat, a traditional tie-dying method, versus painting) as well as their different pattern designs in response to customer preferences (targeting a customer base that favored traditionally-patterned silk versus one favoring modern silk patterns). Finally, regarding the weaving stage, both groups applied their traditional local wisdom in the weaving process and used similar storytelling content in identity construction. The study unravels the intricacies of identity formation and its interplay with the evolving landscape of silk weaving in contemporary Thailand.

Life Coaching in Thailand: Creating a Fantasy of “Wealth” for Entrepreneurs

2023-10-24T13:47:32+07:00

Life coaching has gained significant popularity among entrepreneurs in Thailand, often promoting the ideology of “wealth” under ideas of a capitalistic economy. This study examines the emergence of life coaching in Thailand’s entrepreneurial society to deconstruct the social ideology of the success and wealth it promotes, with a focus on individualism. Using an anthropological approach and critical discourse analysis, the “Life Map” program (a pseudonym) was selected as a case study for this research. The data was collected from 2018 to 2022 through in-depth interviews and observations. The study proposes that the main discourses generated by life coaches emphasize self-improvement, intelligence, wealth, happiness, and moral values. It argues that these discourses show how life coaches create a fantasy that manages the lives of entrepreneurs by infusing their inner selves with life coach knowledge and enforcing it on an inner level. The study tries to break new ground (theoretically) by arguing that life coaching involves not simply a problem of knowledge but also fantasy.