KKU International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Transcultural Deterritorialization of Gay Dance Party and Songkran Festival in Thailand

ดร.นฤพนธ์ ด้วงวิเศษ — 2024-08-30

In this article I explained the commercialized creation of G Circuit Songkran Party, which is known as the biggest gay dance party in Asia. This study used data from the internet and online media as visual ethnography. Information on the G Circuit Songkran party in 2023 and the history of the party since 2007 are analyzed. The issue of cross-cultural mobility between regions in the era of capitalist globalization and new media has resulted in the dismantling of cultural boundaries and the creation of new cultural identities will be discussed by the concept of deterritorialization. This is to shed light on the conjunction and synchronism of the locality and the globality, which is often described as a dynamic symbiosis of multiple cultures. As finding, I argue that the G Circuit Songkran party needs to deliberate the transformation of economic power that results from the deterritorialized process which causes the exploitation of businessmen and the privileges of masculine gay tourists.

The Attitude of Personnel toward the Internal Communication Platforms and Participative Behaviors in Khon Kaen University

Worawit Siripanuwat — 2024-08-30

This research aimed at examining organizational communication reception, attitudes, participation behaviors, and trends among personnel within an organization. The objectives included studying diverse personal characteristics related to organizational communication reception, investigating the relationship between the reception of organizational communication and the attitudes towards internal communication modes, exploring the links between attitudes towards internal communication modes and participation behaviors, and analyzing the relationship between the attitudes towards internal communication modes and the participation behavior trends among personnel. The study used a quantitative methodology with simple random sampling to collect data via questionnaires from 463 personnel. Data analysis involved univariate analysis and descriptive statistics (percentages, mean values, standard deviations, and minimum-maximum values). Mean values assessed effectiveness based on Quality Assessment (ONESQA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) criteria, aligning with Boonchom Srisawat's (2002) findings. Inferential statistics, including independent T-Tests and One-way ANOVA, were used to test the research hypotheses. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows.

The study found that most respondents at Khon Kaen University were female, aged 38-53 (Generation X), known for resilience and strong work ethics. The next prominent group was aged 23-38 (Generation Y), characterized by a desire for recognition and creativity. About one-fifth were over 53 (Baby Boomers), known for diligence and perseverance. Effective communication must consider these diverse groups.

Personnel primarily received information from internal sources (email, memos, circulars, the university website, and bulletin boards) 1-2 times per day between 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM on workdays. Their main interests were university announcements, personnel promotions, training seminars, annual ceremonies, and research updates.

Personnel exhibited a positive attitude towards horizontal communication among peers, primarily facilitated through email, which supports understanding, convenience, speed, coordination, and relationship-building. Top-down communication from management was viewed favorably when clear policies were communicated via modern channels like the university website.

Regarding bottom-up communication, personnel had a moderately positive attitude, using websites, Facebook, and Line to convey issues and expect responsive advice. They hope their feedback will improve organizational processes. Participation in organizational activities, such as academic conferences, professional development, and cultural preservation, was moderate (1-5 times per year), with a high likelihood of continued participation and recommendations to colleagues.

Research indicated that female personnel showed higher frequencies of internal communication reception via email compared to males. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between email communication reception and favorable attitudes towards horizontal communication.

Overall, these findings highlight the need for aligned communication strategies that consider diverse characteristics and preferences to effectively engage personnel.

The management of community learning centers for historical retrospective tourism through artworks in Khok Pho District, Pattani Province

Suphawini Kitiwinit — 2024-08-30

The objectives of this research were to study the management of community learning centers, factors affecting community participation in developing community learning centers into tourist attractions, and to analyze appropriate participation factors for managing community learning centers for historical retrospective tourism through artworks in Khok Pho District, Pattani Province. The research methodology used was a mixed method. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected key informants including administrators, practitioners, academics, community leaders, officials, and youths. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Quantitative research was also conducted using questionnaires distributed to a sample of 400 people from 12 sub-districts in Khok Pho District. Quantitative data was analyzed using percentage and means. The findings revealed that managing community learning centers for tourism was important in 7 aspects: 1) planning 2) management 3) human resource management for tourism promotion 4) directing 5) coordination 6) reporting and 7) budget allocation. Factors affecting community participation in developing community learning centers consisted of main factors including knowledge level of historical, artistic and cultural evidence which was at a high level overall (x ̅ = 3.82 ; SD = 0.96). Community participation in managing community learning centers was at a moderate level overall (x ̅ = 3.37 ; SD = 1.12). Factors affecting the success in developing community learning centers was at a high level overall (x ̅ = 4.05 ; SD = 0.85). The analysis of appropriate participation factors in managing community learning centers for historical retrospective tourism through artworks in Khok Pho District, Pattani Province could be divided into 4 aspects: 1) context and conservation of historical resources 2) participation 3) management and 4) learning.

The 5 D’s of Thai Democracy: The “Democracy” in Thailand’s Constitution Monuments and Democracy Monument Replicas

Gil Turingan — 2024-08-30

This article discusses Thai democracy through a different lens by proposing a summary of its development through the 5 D’s (i.e., diluted, desacralized, disregarded, disappeared, and defended) and using the context of the Constitution Monuments and Democracy Monument replicas in Thailand. By looking at the historical accounts and narratives about these monuments, this work also reveals that the “democracy” conveyed in these structures follows the Thai democracy discourse (i.e., the traditional and Western schools of Thai democracy). The symbols and meanings of these spatial structures mirror the development of Thai democracy from 1932 to the context of the 2020 student protests and how the spatial agencies construct their own meanings of the monuments through time. Amidst the popularity of the Democracy Monument in Bangkok as a symbol of Thai democracy, this paper contributes to the democracy discourse usually centered in Bangkok's context. By focusing on the other monuments outside Bangkok, this qualitative historical study promotes historical awareness beyond Bangkok and highlights the role of public monuments in preserving Thai history and defending Thai democracy.

Ecological Conscience: An Analysis of Children’s Literature on “ Jao Nu Phu Phithak Haeng Ko Libong” by Kitisak Srikaewboworn

Wanlapa Tarawet — 2024-08-30

This article aims to examine the concept of ecological conscience of Jao Nu Phu Phithak Haeng Ko Libong by Kitisak Srikaewboworn. It is a children’s literature that utilizing the theory of ecocriticism. The study's findings indicate that the novel embodies the concept of ecological conscience within two paradigms of human-nature relationships. 1) Holistic and Symbiotic Relationship with Nature: The narrative promotes a holistic view of the world and a friendly relationship with nature, portraying it as a refuge for survival. It emphasizes that nature provides nourishment, balances the ecosystem, serves as a space for healing and happiness, and offers a learning environment. The novel depicts humans as co-creators with nature, treating it with love and generosity, being aware of environmental problems, and actively participating in the protection and conservation of nature. Additionally, it instills environmental ethics through religious doctrines. 2) Anthropocentric and Exploitative Relationship with Nature: The novel also presents the perspective that humans dominate nature, particularly within the context of capitalism, where animals are commodified, hunted, and exploited. This paradigm highlights the limitless exploitation of natural resources and the human role in creating pollution.

The children’s literature; Jao Nu Phu Phithak Haeng Ko Libong is a nature conservation narrative aimed at fostering ecological conscience in youth. It advocates for a paradigm shift in the new generation, encouraging children to value nature, become aware of environmental issues, and adapt their lifestyles to align with and respect the natural world. This approach aims to promote peaceful and sustainable coexistence between humans and nature.

The Development of Instructional Model of Reading aloud Thai based on Phonetic Guidelines to Enhance the Ability to Pronounce Consonants of Karen Students

Kirati Nantapong — 2024-08-30

The purposes of this study were 1) to develop a reading aloud Thai instructional model based on phonetic guidelines to enhance the Ability to pronounce consonants of Karen students and 2) to evaluate the quality of the reading aloud Thai instructional model based on phonetic guidelines to enhance the Ability to pronounce consonants of Karen students. By using research and development design (R&D). The research process was divided into 2 phases: 1) Research 1: R1, which is a study and analysis of basic data to develop reading aloud Thai instructional model, and 2) Development 1: D1, which is the development and evaluate the quality of the reading aloud Thai instructional model. The statistics used in data analysis were mean (M), standard deviation (SD) and content analysis.

The results showed that: The developed of reading aloud Thai Instructional model consisted of 5 elements, namely elements: 1) the principles, 2) the objective, 3) the learning management steps, 4) measurement and evaluation, and 5) the conditions of the application, In relation with six stages of the instructional model, which were Stage 1) Pronunciation teaching: P1, Stage 2) Pronunciation Practice: P2, and Stage 3) Practice of word Spelling: P3, named it the 3C Model. And the quality assessment results of the developed reading aloud Thai instructional model based on phonetic guidelines to enhance the ability to pronounce consonants of Karen Students were found to be at the highest level.

Work Adaptation of Supporting Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, Thailand

Nopparat Rattanaprathum — 2024-08-30

This article aims to 1) study the work adaptation of supporting staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2) analyze problems and offer suggestions for supporting staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case study approach applied in this qualitative research engaged eighteen key informants selected through purposive sampling, consisting of supporting staff from the seven divisions of the Faculty of Social Sciences. This study used an interview guideline with participant observation techniques for data collection and the content analysis method for the data analysis. The findings revealed five (5) work adaptation dimensions of supporting staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are: 1) contact and communication, 2) document management, 3) organizing meetings, 4) obeying COVID-19 prevention measures, and 5) following the COVID-19 news and information. The supporting staff has adapted methods, created tools, and provided new equipment to operate their work during the pandemic. Problems of work adaptation vary accordingly in different functions of each division, such as lack of technological skills of supporting staff, limitation of phone calls' explanation in complicated tasks, not using all functions of the NU e-doc system, lagging internet speed, and weak computer performance, and confusion or unclear COVID-19 prevention measures of the faculty. The findings from this study may offer valuable insights to executive leaders, informing them of their plans and measures for addressing future disasters or crises, including the support and well-being of staff.