Journal of Social Work and Social Administration

Post-Development Values in Alternative Agriculture-Based Community Development: The Case Studies of 3 Alternative Agriculture Communities in Srisaket Province

Thita Ornin — 2024-12-25

In reaction to the global development paradigm, the concept of Pluriverse, as articulated by Escobar (2020), has played a pivotal role in exploring alternatives to development, aiming to foster a world that accommodates multiple worlding[1] with the goals to facilitate various approaches to collective well-being, moving away from anthropocentric, linear growth within the modern capitalist development. This study seeks to understand the underlying values of alternative agriculture-based community development to realize their contribution towards Pluriversal worldings, by examining three communities in Srisaket Province, Northeast of Thailand.

The study involves three distinct cases. Firstly, the Buddhist community of Srisa Asoke engages in natural farming guided by a stringent Buddhist moral code. Secondly, the Taam and People Association, a social movement comprises individuals whose wetland livelihoods are impacted by the Rasi Salai dam. Lastly, Raitong and SCFN Farmers, a social enterprise-oriented organization, that is dedicated to supporting smallholder organic farmers in participating in the global food market while adopting the principles of organic farming and fair-trade global standards.

This paper suggests that within the framework of Pluriversality in community development, practices and initiatives aligned with post-development and reformist values can empower communities to maintain their alternative identities, allowing communities to practically navigate within the mainstream context while holding onto diverse imaginaries. The post-development and reformist values discussed in this paper included for example inclusivity, prosperity and dignity, autonomy and self-reliance, solidarity and reciprocity, common ethics, oneness with nature, simplicity, justice, equity and non-hierarchy, rights, non-violence, the economy of care and gender.

The paper additionally argues that although similar values are found in alternative communities worldwide. The practical nuances of these values from Thailand differ from the Latin American context where Pluriverse was theorized. This article contributes to the making of the Pluriverse body of knowledge in alternative community development.

[1] Worlding: The term ‘worlding’ has emerged in the field of anthropology which defines active engagement of the world as a dynamic and interconnected entity rather than isolated departments. Worlding has an ontological connotation of the world-making process, which means that there maybe ontologically interaction and coexistence of other worlds (or reality). See more in Thinking-Feeling with the Earth (Escobar, 2019)

Community Forest Management for Community Well-being Following Sustainable Development Guidelines: A Case Study of Ban Khuan Yung, Khun Thale Sub-district, Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province

Pratumtip Thongcharoen — 2024-12-25

The objectives of this research are as follows: 1) to systematically study the context of community forests and manage the knowledge obtained, 2) to survey significant plant and herbal species and create a health and well-being database, 3) to increase awareness and promote community participation in the conservation and development of community forests for better health, and 4) to extract lessons from the past, present, and future development directions of community forests. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach, focusing on qualitative research and action research to establish
a learning community. The primary targets and units of analysis include plant and herbal species, village leaders, community forest committee members, and voluntary students. Data were collected from 2020 to 2021 through field surveys, essay contests, interviews, and group discussions. Data collection tools included plant and herbal species recording forms, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), essay contest score recording forms, and semi-structured interviews. The collected data were then subjected to content analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for data analysis from the online database on the Facebook platform.

The study results indicated the following: 1) The community forest is fertile and located in the city center, with the Khun Thale Self-Reliant Community holding land ownership. In 2010, there was an encroachment by investors to plant oil palms, but the villagers successfully opposed it. 2) A total of 37 plant species and over 100 herbal species were found. The research output included the creation of an online database published on Facebook and a book. 3) Residents and youth in the area exhibit a strong awareness and sense of responsibility to protect the forest. They participate in various activities, reflecting on how this forest area contributes to their quality of life in physical, mental, social, and intellectual dimensions. This engagement aligns with sustainable development principles in health and fosters cooperation with various sectors. 4) It has been observed that the forest has undergone continuous change and development from the past to the present. Future community forest development guidelines include the establishment of a public market and the development of a learning center for ecotourism.

Critical Policy Analysis of Health Social Work Practices: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19, Thailand

Patcharin Sirasoonthorn — 2024-12-25

The pandemic of COVID-19 has affected social workers, their family, clients, and organizations in multiple ways. This research aimed to provide critical policy analysis and to identify lessons learned from the impacts of the Healthcare Preventive Policy (HPP) on health social work practices during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Thailand. Primary data was applied to collect information from ten hospital social workers through in-depth interviews. Digital ethnographical research methods were applied to collect secondary data from reliable digital academic sources during 2019-2024. Simple random sampling was adopted to select digital cases. Twenty articles were adopted for thick descriptive analysis. The use of critical policy analysis and SWOT identified three crucial results. These included 1) hospital social workers played crucial roles in critical social work practices both in mainstream and alternative health care; 2) the HPP’s negligence of mental, social, and spiritual welling aspects impacted palliative care social work practices; and 3) understanding of the power relation, ideology, and the forces that produce inequality justice creates a constructive engagement through the health coaching system by raising questions of inequality and oppression based on centralization policy as regards resources mobility and delivery. The use of creative critical reflection improved evaluative system of health social work practices. It was found that the use of creative critical reflection improved the evaluation system of health social work practices.

A Critical Analysis of the Literature on the Internationalisation of Thai Higher Education: A Call for a Counter-Narrative

Gwyn Peredur Evans — 2024-12-25

This article examines literature related to the internationalisation of higher education (IHE) in Thailand. Through analysis of 38 publications on IHE in Thailand, the scope of literature is explored in order to determine how it frames the imperatives and narratives of IHE development, and to what extent neoliberal interpretations as drivers of Thai IHE explain practices and realities at the institutional level. The author puts forward the contextually and socially driven definition and concept of IHE by Williams et al. (2021) to both frame and recommend an alternative approach to the study of IHE as a phenomenon experienced and largely created by local institutions and actors. The article concludes that such an approach would provide a distinctive voice to the real and lived experiences of leaders and practitioners in higher education institutions in Thailand, and a counter-narrative to the dominant neoliberal assumptions of the global literature.

Modern Insecurity and The Quest for Lift’s Meaning through Dying

Thanyaporn Chantaravech — 2024-12-25

The phenomenon of internal insecurity amidst an uncertain life context drives individuals to seek internal stability to anchor their lives, raising questions about the meaning of life, both in living and dying. This article presents a theoretical study through a literature review to understand the operations of modern conditions on social life at the individual level, including the values and meanings that reflect identity and selfhood. This understanding aims to foster processes and perspectives that better comprehend life and the problems of existence in modern society. The study reveals that the blurring of values and meanings in modern conditions contributes to internal insecurity. The late modern era compels individuals to uphold their identity as a “self” of the era while simultaneously negotiating and integrating with the surrounding social context through their own way of life. The connection of an individual’s social life through relationships with various entities creates formal bonds, filled with the hope of having pure relationships with the world. The key issues identified are: 1) Changes in shared values within society, 2) Transformations at the individual level, particularly concerning identity and selfhood, and 3) Relationships in the modern context. The problem of losing values and meaning can be addressed through learning about the meaning of life, particularly by fostering awareness through experiences with death. Living life to contemplate and understand the sources of meaning for each individual is a proposal of this work. Both individuals and society must provide space to learn and design the meaning of life, originating from either external or internal sources. Simultaneously, society must also reconsider and be aware of co-creating new shared values and meanings that seek a common understanding connected to the public.

A Study of the Effects of Self-Control Program on Substance Abuse Reduction Behaviors of Youth with in Juvenile Vocational Training Center: A Case Study of Ban Karuna Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Boys

Angsukarn Atawin — 2024-12-25

This research aims to develop and study the results of a self-control programusing Rosembaum's self-control framework to reduce drug use behavior among youth within training and vocational centers. The case study focuses on Ban Karuna Juvenile Vocational Training Center for boys. It is a quasi-experimental research with two groups, measuring results before and after the experiment. The control group received the usual program available at the juvenile vocational training center, while the experimental group received both the usual program available at the juvenile vocational training center and the self-control program on substance abuse reduction behaviors developed by the researcher. The sample youths were selected as male youths aged 18-24 years who had used drugs before committing crimes and who, during training, exhibited behavior that violated the center’s rules and regulations of the training and training center regarding the use of drugs have been on duty for 3 consecutive months and have trained for at least 6 months. A purposive sample of 20 youths was selected using the lottery method and divided into experimental groups and control groups, with 10 people per group. The results of the study found that the youths in the experimental group, who received an additional self-control program in addition to using the usual program available at the juvenile vocational training center were able to promote the youth to have self-control skills different from those before participating in the program statistically significant (Z = 2.085 and symp. Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.005). Including self-control programs helps youth reduce or stop using drugs more and can be used in conjunction with the regular treatment program available at the juvenile vocational training center to increase self-control skills for the youth within the training and training center higher level of self-control

Important suggestions include: Activity details should be adjusted to provide more variety. Emphasis is placed on practice or role-play situations rather than writing. And there should be a policy to implement the self-control program to be used as a special treatment program. For youths who have already received the normal treatment program available at the juvenile vocational training center, but still have many times committed substance abuse behaviors. To help change the behavior of youth for the better.

The Development of Protecting Elderly Persons’ Rights in Protection Home for the Destitute

Rungnapa Thepparp — 2024-12-25

The purpose of this research is to examine the protection and access to rights for the elderly and those approaching old age (50 years and above) in Protection Centers for the Destitute. Additionally, it aims to develop guidelines for improving rights protection and to propose policies for this demographic within these centers. Quantitative data were collected from 919 clients aged 50 and above from 6 Protection Centers for the Destitute, while qualitative data were gathered from 69 informants through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and exchange forums. The findings revealed that: (1) Protection Centers for the Destitute are experiencing an intensely aging population, with over 28 percent of users being 60 years or older, highlighting the inadequacy of current services tailored specifically for elderly users; (2) The format and access to rights for service users are primarily protected as "destitute people," with significant gaps in protection specific to "elderly people"; (3) Guidelines for improving rights protection for the elderly in shelters include: (a) legal improvement and enforcement measures, (b) integration of cooperation among various agencies with an elderly-centric approach, and (c) specific rights protection services for the elderly in shelters. (4) Policy recommendations include: (a) enhancing the protection of rights for destitute elderly individuals to ensure they live with dignity and human value, and (b) preventing elderly individuals from entering shelters by promoting self-reliance and quality living within their communities under the concept of aging in place. This research underscores the urgent need for tailored services and policies that address the unique needs of the elderly in destitute conditions, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld.

Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Inquiry Officers

Authana Suradanai — 2024-12-25

This research aims to analyze the issue of discrimination against LGBTQ+ inquiry officers. It also offers an approach to resolution for addressing these issues. The research employs qualitative methods, including document analysis and in-depth interviews with key informants from five groups, totaling 31 participants: 11 LGBTQ+ inquiry officers, 5 heterosexual male or female inquiry officers, 5 supervisors, 5 subordinates, and 5 members of the public who accessed services. The findings reveal two main problems in treatment: 1) discrimination based on gender identity in the workplace, including verbal abuse and the use of derogatory terms, and 2) obstruction of career opportunities, impacting the mental health of LGBTQ+ inquiry officers, leading to stress and emotional issues. Additionally, the research finds that LGBTQ+ inquiry officers desire the following actions from organization: 1) the development and adjustment to the guidelines or standards to protect and support them, 2) the establishment of equality and fairness within the organization, 3) the clearly practices for addressing issues of treatment towards LGBTQ+ inquiry officers, and 4) the creation of an inclusive organizational culture that accepts gender diversity. These suggestions lead to the formulation of clear guidelines for managing treatment issues, as well as the development of organizational culture and appropriate mechanisms to prevent discriminatory treatment, fostering an open and accepting environment for inquiry officers with diverse gender identities within the organization.

Book Review: The End of Social Work: A Defense of the Social Worker in Times of Transformation

Sukhuma Aroonjit — 2024-12-25

“The End of Social Work: A Defense of the Social Worker in Times of Transformation”

ท่ามกลางสถานการณ์ทางสังคม เศรษฐกิจ การเมืองของสหรัฐอเมริกาและสถานภาพ ความเป็นอยู่ บทบาท หน้าที่ ความรับผิดชอบอันหนักหน่วงของวิชาชีพสังคมสงเคราะห์ ศาสตราจารย์ด้านสังคมสงเคราะห์ Steve Burghardt ผู้ซึ่งได้รับการยกย่องเชิดชูเกียรติทางด้านการสอนและการเคลื่อนไหวใน
งานด้านสังคมสงเคราะห์หลายรางวัล ได้รวบรวมองค์ความรู้ ประสบการณ์จริง ถ่ายทอดออกมาผ่านหนังสือที่ชื่อว่า “The End of Social Work: A Defense of the Social Worker in Times of Transformation” เล่มนี้ ที่เต็มเปี่ยมไปด้วยอารมณ์ ความรู้สึก และความห่วงกังวลต่อสภาพสังคมและวิชาชีพสังคมสงเคราะห์ เนื้อหาสาระสำคัญมุ่งอภิปรายการปฏิบัติงานสังคมสงเคราะห์ที่ให้น้ำหนักกับการปฏิบัติงานระดับจุลภาค จนละเลยระดับมหาภาคที่จะสามารถขับเคลื่อนให้เกิดความเป็นธรรมทางสังคม ความถดถอยของวิชาชีพสังคมสงเคราะห์จากการที่รัฐเพิกเฉย ละเลยการจัดสวัสดิการสังคมให้แก่ประชาชน แต่กลับมุ่งเน้นเศรษฐกิจการเมืองระบบทุนนิยม สร้างความไม่เท่าเทียม ความเหลื่อมล้ำทางสังคมและเศรษฐกิจมากยิ่งขึ้น ความตึงเครียด ความกดดันตกอยู่ที่นักสังคมสงเคราะห์และหน่วยงานด้านสังคมสงเคราะห์และสวัสดิการ การทำงานเต็มไปด้วยปัญหาอุปสรรค และความยากลำบาก ในขณะที่ค่าตอบแทนน้อยนิดสอดคล้องกับภาระงานอันหนักหน่วง นักสังคมสงเคราะห์วิชาชีพจึงมักเกิดความตึงเครียด กดดัน ความเหนื่อยล้า กลับกลายเป็นกลุ่มที่ถูกละเลยจากการดูแลคุณภาพชีวิตในการทำงานเสียเอง นอกจากนี้เมื่อย้อนกลับไปพิจารณาแวดวงการศึกษา
และวิชาการ สะท้อนให้เห็นถึงการศึกษาสังคมสงเคราะห์ที่เร่งรัดมากขึ้น ความเหนื่อยล้าของผู้เรียนจากความตึงเครียดทางการเงินและสภาพสังคม ตลอดจนความวิตกกังวลของผู้สอนทั้งในด้านการสอนที่ต้องเผชิญกับผู้เรียนที่มีความเหนื่อยล้า ไม่กระตือรือร้น ประกอบกับในด้านหน้าที่การงานเพื่อการดำรงตำแหน่งวิชาการตามเกณฑ์มาตรฐานของสถาบันการศึกษา ย่อมนำไปสู่การพังทลายของความเป็นเลิศทางวิชาการและการพังทลายของความชอบธรรมทางวิชาชีพ

Empowerment in Community Social Work

Phenprapha Pattaranukrom — 2024-12-25

This academic article aims to present a model of empowerment in community social work as Glenn Laverack’s approach, which is comprised of nine components-these are participation, local leadership, organizational structure, assessment of problems, promotion of conscientization, resource mobilization, links with networks, support of outside partners, and self-management. These components would be used together with the model of empowerment in community social work for community development and self-reliance and would be lead to the appropriate practice for power balancing between communities and community social workers for sustainable community and social development.

Youth Disillusionment and Its Impacts on Political and Social Structures: A Case Study of Youth Movements in Thailand and China

Tinnapop Tieojaroenkit — 2024-12-25

This article aims to study and analyze the causes of the youth disillusionment trend in Thailand and China through a comparative approach. The analysis will concentrate on specific factors and unique causes in Thailand that contribute to the disillusionment of the new generation and lead to their involvement in political offenses. The study investigates the factors contributing to the disillusionment among the new generation in Thailand and China using research methodologies grounded in academic exploration and relevant literature, including academic journals, research papers, and theses. The study employs criminological concepts, specifically Social Structure Theories, Social Bond Theory along with the concept of social media and influencer. Moreover, the researcher has collected data to analyze the factors contributing to the disillusionment of the new generation in Thailand and China. According to the study, it was found that the factors contributing to the disillusionment of the new generation in Thailand and China are similar in terms of political awareness, economic inequality, and the influence of social media. However, there are differences in forms of government. Nonetheless, issues such as generation gaps, mental health problems, stress among the new generation, and family upbringing can impact their disillusionment. Therefore, the government should implement proactive measures by reforming education and encouraging self-directed learning among the new generation.