NBTC Journal

Communication About Gender Diversity and Driving of Marriage Equality in Thailand That is Apparent in Boy’s Love Series

Natthadet Joseph, Asawin Nedpogaeo — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

The purpose of this paper is to explore the exposure of gender diversity through the popularity of boys’ love series and the drive towards marriage equality through the presentation of the series’ content. It gathered academic papers, online articles, news, and in-depth interviews with series producers, directors, as well as individuals who were involved in boys’ love series industry and played a role in advancing marriage equality in Thailand. The study was undertaken between July 2022 and June 2023, and found that the popularity of boys’ love series resulting in the society’s more open to gender diversity. This was evident from the fact that relationship between man and man that has been existing in Thai society has become normal, and the LGBTQIA+ identity has been increasingly exposed. However, the society’s more open to the images of LGBTQIA+ love in public space did not substantiate that it was accepted in Thai society. Moreover, with its aesthetics, the boy’s love series also influenced the drive towards marriage equality. It could generate interest in marriage equality among viewers even if it was limited to a specific group.

Regulatory Guidelines in Content Industry under the Changing Over-the-Top Streaming Technology

Vinijphat Kanyapong — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This article studies the media landscape in the changing content industry resulting from OTT and streaming technologies in order to propose guidelines for regulating and promoting content. The roles of related regulating bodies in Thailand are also studied in order to prepare for future regulation and promotion of content industry. By analyzing relevant documents both in Thai and English languages, the study found that platforms played an important role in setting the content’s format. Content creators were set to alter their direction and content to be in line with those that would yield highest benefit to the platform. At the same time, guidelines for regulating and promoting content in foreign countries had been modified by categorizing the OTT content. Legal loopholes in content regulating were also found--the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) could not regulate content creators in different platforms. In the future both regulation and promotion could be made, in particular on streaming platforms. However, video sharing platform would not be regulated at the initial stage. This would be an appropriate guideline for Thailand’s regulating bodies as there had never been any regulating guidelines before.

Creating an Accessible Society for All Through Inclusive Design under the Concept of "Leaving No One Behind"

Torpong Selanon, Kanit Sunchatavirul — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

The objective of this article is to present the concept of “leaving no one behind” in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals with the aims to eliminate the digital divide and address the needs of the marginalized and at-risk groups in society, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as to ensure that they could access to and benefit from digital technologies. This documentary research studied and analyzed documents relating to social and environmental factors, and development structures, the importance of the digital divide, and the digital access and recognition development. The study found that by combining inclusive design with assistive technology to invent digital products and services that are accessible by all people, implementing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility policies and strategies that will support the inclusive and equitable development, and creating the inclusive ICT innovation ecosystem; all people will be able to fully access to and benefit from ICT technologies. This would then lead to the inclusive development that bridge the digital gap and ensure that no one is left behind.

The Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) System for Forensic Investigation of Sex Crimes

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This research aimed to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for sperm identification to be used as an evidence or an important indicator in sexual offense cases, and to study the feasibility of the system. The research was divided into two parts. The first part was to develop an Artificial Intelligence system for sperm detection and a website for sperm detection, using applied research method. The second part included the tool familiarization training for forensic scientists. The study found that the Artificial Intelligence system could lessen the steps of sperm detection process. If the digital scanned image from microscope slides shown more than two sperm heads, it could be assumed that a sexual abuse happened. Developed on the YOLOv5m, the precision of the system was up to 97.4%. It could also be accessed on website. Forensic scientists who were trained were satisfied with the system as it could accelerate forensic investigation service, increase chances for proving an offender’s guilt, and reduce opportunities of the offender to commit other crimes. In addition, waste of time and human resources could be avoided.

The Development of Monitoring System to Assist the Elderly or Physiotherapy Patients Through Communication Networks and the Development of Physiotherapy Equipment in Compliance with Medical Device Standard ISO 13485 with Case Study on Respiratory Therapy Devices

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This study is aimed to help the elderly and physiotherapy patients. A case study on respiratory therapy devices through communication networks was also undertaken using applied research method which comprised two parts: the development of monitoring system of physiotherapy through connection with server system and cloud service; and the development of physiotherapy devices in compliance with ISO 13485, from design to prototype development. The study found that the monitoring system of physiotherapy through communication networks and physiotherapy devices showed real time biofeedback. This could help the physiotherapists or rehabilitation physicians in monitoring the elderly or the physiotherapy patients on a continuous basis after leaving the hospital. The physiotherapists could also analyze the data and appropriately plan a distant physiotherapy process, and thus reduce the transportation and other burdens of the elderly or the patients. The test result of the respiratory devices in compliance with software standard IEC 62304 and electrical equipment standard IEC 60601-1 found that the devices could function according to the safety standard of medical equipment. However, this verification of standard of physiotherapy devices did not include the monitoring system.

The Needs of the Visually Impaired for the Audio Description for Television Programs

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This survey research studies the needs of the visually impaired regarding Audio Description (AD) for television programs. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 70 visually impaired students in Grades 4-6 from seven schools under the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under Royal Patronage countrywide. The data were then analyzed for statistics by finding mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The study found that the majority of the sample did not know that Audio Description were available on television programs. They also opined that there were not enough television programs suitable for promote or support the exposure of visually impaired people. The sample group had a high level of overall priority needs of Audio Descriptions for television programs. In terms of content, they would like to have programs with interesting, realistic, and accurate content. They also wanted more Audio Description for news programs, children and youth programs, and series. The detailed Audio Description for news programs, and clear sound describing everything on screen including parts with music or without original sound were needed.