Journal of Social Work and Social Administration

ฺBook Review: Contesting Social Welfare in Southeast Asia

Kritsada Theerakosonphong — 2025-06-24

หนังสือเรื่อง Contesting Social Welfare in Southeast Asia ศึกษาสวัสดิการสังคมในประเทศภาคพื้นเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ จัดพิมพ์ในชุดหนังสือ Cambridge Elements in Politics and Society in Southeast Asia ผู้เขียนหนังสือเลือกเสนอสี่ประเทศ ได้แก่ อินโดนีเซีย ฟิลิปปินส์ ไทย และมาเลเซีย พร้อมให้เหตุผลสองประการ ประการแรก สัดส่วนประชากรในสี่ประเทศของกรณีศึกษา มีสภาพการดำรงอยู่ในความยากจน และความเปราะบางที่อาจนำไปสู่ความยากจน จึงเป็นความท้าทายต่อการปรับปรุงระบบการคุ้มครองทางสังคม (Social Protection) ในประเทศภาคพื้นเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ และประการสอง ปัจจัยทางการเมืองร่วมกันในสี่ประเทศกรณีศึกษา คือ พัฒนาการประเทศตามระบบทุนนิยมของการทำให้เป็นอุตสาหกรรม ทั้งยังมีการขยายตัวของระบอบอำนาจนิยมและกึ่งอำนาจนิยม การปฏิรูปประชาธิปไตย การก้าวสู่ประเทศที่มีระดับรายได้ปานกลาง และการสืบทอดอำนาจเชิงโครงสร้างของคนกลุ่มน้อยของประเทศ

Mass Shootings in Thailand: Debunking Fables and Unseen Quiet Hazard

Kusarin Jeerasinkul — 2025-06-24

This article critically examines the mass shooting phenomenon in Thai society, focusing on the meanings, facts, and myths associated with such events. It discusses the impact of ambiguous language and explores the media’s role in shaping public perception. The article emphasizes the need for accurate understanding while dispelling myths and avoiding the glorification of perpetrators, which may lead to copycat behavior. It also offers policy recommendations for the state, drawing on criminological theories such as Cumulative Strain Theory, Imitation Theory, and gun violence prevention. By comparing Thailand’s situation with U.S. case studies, the study provides a broader international perspective. While the global trend is concerning, there is a growing silent risk in Thailand. If media coverage continues to sensationalize perpetrators, it could fuel further violence. Therefore, the state must prioritize clear public understanding, set media guidelines, and implement comprehensive preventive measures.

Domestic Violence: The Gen-Z Perspective and Justice for Well-being Protection

Porntipa Hussadee — 2025-06-24

This article presents the perspective of the Gen-Z on domestic violence and justice for Well-being Protection. It discusses the justice process in safeguarding the welfare of individuals subjected to domestic violence, with a particular focus on the Juvenile and Family Court so it’s essential to understand the dynamics of family and society, which change with the times. The study examines the opinions, beliefs, and values of the Gen-Z towards the family and domestic violence within the context of Thai society. The findings reveal that most of this generation views family as significant and holds beliefs and values about family similar to those of previous generations. However, a prominent aspect is the recognition of basic human rights within the family, emphasizing that no physical or mental abuse should occur. They also expect family members to fulfill their roles responsibly. At the same time, there is some of this generation with differing views, reflecting changes in the family regarding power dynamics and parental roles, suggesting that there should be more restrictions on the exercise of parental authority. When domestic violence occurs, the Gen-Z first considers the police, with the Juvenile Court and family as the secondary institution they would turn to, hoping for intervention, problem resolution, and counseling for victims. They also expect the court to issue appropriate orders or employ corrective and rehabilitative measures that align with their thoughts, feelings, and views on domestic violence that changes at the times. Furthermore, this generation sees the justice as a means of fostering among family members to prevent future domestic violence incidents and contribute to a peaceful, violence-free society.

Crisis Migration and Civil Wars: Analyzing the Defects of New Humanitarianism

DGN Sanjeewani — 2025-06-24

‘Crisis migration’ demonstrates the cross-border mobilities of people caused by existential threats in their home countries. It is often misconceived as a form of migration that is more local than transnational. In this setting, people fleeing crises like 'civil wars' constitute prima facie grounds for urgent humanitarian assistance. However, limited 'humanitarian spaces' in cross-border mobilities have drawn ambiguities about who 'humanitarianism' is supposed to serve and how it addresses the needs of ‘crisis migrants’. These situations are highly determined by the security stances of home and host states where the ‘sovereignty’ remains inconsistent
with external involvements. Accordingly, the paper examines the evolution of ‘classical humanitarianism' into 'New Humanitarianism’ (NH), which is a holistically developed concept grounded in ‘Human Security’ (HS). The main objectives of the paper are two-fold; to examine ‘crisis migration’ and to explore the problematic forms of humanitarian responses to ‘crisis migration’. It interconnects with three sub-objectives. The first is to explain the lack of conceptual clarity about the nexus between the ‘civil war’ and ‘crisis migration’. It does not examine the root causes of 'civil wars' but rather focuses on how civil war situations drive people to migrate across borders in search of protection. The second is to analyze ‘humanitarianism’ which encompasses ensuring camp security from military threats and repatriating migrants to their home countries, extending beyond the classical slant of providing care and relief. The discussion includes different debates and concepts regarding the application of ‘humanitarianism’ in ‘crisis migration. The third is questioning how the characteristics of NH are related to 'crisis migration' and how they address the humanitarian needs of crisis migrants, such as a secure environment in camps and voluntary repatriation. The key arguments constructed in the paper are exemplified through selected humanitarian initiatives implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Middle East and African regions.

Leadership of Internationalisation at a Higher Education Institution in Thailand: Voices from Within

Gwyn Peredur Evans — 2025-06-24

This study examines perceptions of the leadership of the internationalisation of one public higher education institution in Thailand. Based on documentary research and data from semi-structured interviews with senior leaders, lecturers and staff involved in 3 undergraduate international programmes (IP), it presents an analysis of the leadership dimensions which influence the progress of the internationalisation of higher education (IHE) of the institution in question. It situates the study within the dense global literature which addresses the strategies and factors considered crucial to effective IHE leadership, while addressing the unique local and cultural context of such an institution in Thailand. It concludes that while significant progress has been made in IHE by the institution in question, leaders should consider introducing greater clarity, inclusivity, and integration so that employees feel empowered and motivated to contribute towards, and ‘own’, the expansion of the internationalisation agenda. The study also determines that the dimension of ‘situation’ is paramount in terms of how leadership functions, and that bureaucracy, in particular, strongly influences leadership trends and models within the institution.

Searching for Prototype Buddhist Dharma Principles in Daily Life: A Case Study of Thinking Analysis of Youth Groups in Nakhon Pathom

Kridtika Chanakun — 2025-06-24

This research article aims to study 1) the opinions of youth in Nakhon Pathom province on the application of Buddhist principles in their daily lives, 2) the methods by which the youth of Nakhon Pathom province apply Buddhist principles in their daily lives, and 3) the development of a model designed by youth for youth to incorporate Buddhist principles. The research employed quantitative, qualitative, and action research methodologies. Data collection for the quantitative research was conducted through a questionnaire administered to 375 students in Nakhon Pathom province. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 12 participants, including scholars, successful professionals, and school administrators, and a focus group discussion was held with 10 students. The information gathered was analyzed and used to develop a model through action research, which was subsequently tested in two schools.

The findings are as follows: 1) Participants showed a strong commitment to following Buddhist principles in their daily lives, with high adherence to both the Five ( = 3.93) and the Four Brahmaviharas ( = 3.90). 2) When facing life's challenges, students often relied on Buddhist teachings for guidance. These principles not only helped them solve problems but also kept them grounded in moral values and social norms. 3) The practical application of Buddhist principles was successfully tested using Design Thinking. This approach, incorporating the Five Precepts and the Four Brahmaviharas, provided a structured method for applying these teachings in real-life situations.

Integration of Approaches for a non-violent Thai Society by International Standards and the Context of Thai Society

Sumonthip Chitsawang — 2025-06-24

This research aims to study the problem, causes, and impacts of violence in Thai society, to study guidelines for preventing and solving violence problems according to international standards, and to suggest ways to integrate and create a non-violent Thai Society according to international standards and the context of Thai society. It was mixed-methods research combining quantitative, qualitative, and participatory action research. The study found that Thai society faced issues of violence, including suicide, violence against children and women, and domestic violence. Major causes included alcohol and drug use problems, easy access to weapons, media promoting violence, economic issues, and the use of violence within families affecting the cycle of violence and its impacts. The impacts of violence problems account for 4% of the total national GDP.

"The Cardiff Model" collected violence data from agencies to solve violence, and the World Health Organization suggests that good relationships between parent and childrens, developing life skills for childrens, reducing alcohol and weapon use, promoting gender equality, changing attitudes and cultures, and providing care and assistance programs for violence victims were key approaches to preventing and solving violence problems according to international standards.

The integrate ways to create a non-violent Thai Society according to international standards and the context of Thai society involves respecting gender equality through the "RESPECT" framework, which includes: 1) Relationship, promoting good relationship skills 2) Empowerment of women, enhancing economic and social empowerment 3) Services ensured, providing support for violence victims and vulnerable groups that may be at risk of violence 4) Poverty reduction, reducing of poverty-related issues 5) Environments made safe, creating a violence-free environment 6) Child and adolescent abuse prevention, preventing violence and abuse against children and youth 7) Transformed attitudes, beliefs, and norms, changing and leading to reduced violence in Thai society

Guidelines for Good Governance Community Development by Community Participation: Case Studies of Bangkok Metropolitan Communities

Phenprapha Pattaranukrom — 2025-06-24

This study aimed at examining problems, causes, and factors causing corruption, as well as forms and ways to solve problems in the communities and establishing community participation in designing system and mechanism to solve corruption problems and to offer
a model and guidelines for implementing as “Good Governance Community”.The research employed qualitative research in the form of community based research (CBR) focused on people participation as 12 researchers in Bangkok metropolitan communities and content analysis was applied.This study concluded that there are many forms of corruption in the communities. The most familiar forms are misappropriation of community’s money for private use through misuse of one’s own official position without any counterbalance; collusion between government procurement officials and business operators; negligence of duties to be transparent; and failure to keep accurate accounting records of the community’s income, expenses, and donations. These forms of corruption led to establish a system and mechanism to prevent and solve problems in Bangkok metropolitan communities.

Enhancing the Strength of Integration for App-based Food Delivery Workers

nakarin charoenloasiri — 2025-06-24

App-based food delivery workers in an unregulated work environment mostly lack the bargaining power to claim fundamental labor rights or to form groups in pursuit of justice. Although they frequently organize both in-person and online spaces to exchange ideas and discuss shared issues, ongoing protests and the rise of new groups reflect unresolved problems. This research aims to propose strategies for strengthening group formation among food delivery workers using a collaborative approach. The study is qualitative research, applying in-depth interviews with 19 individuals. Key findings provide actionable guidelines for developing effective strategies to enhance the group integration of food delivery workers in today’s diverse and challenging work environment. They also highlight supportive factors and limitations that may influence the successful implementation of these strategies.

A study of family-based care for people with severe disabilities in Samae Dam Subdistrict Bang Khun Thian District Bangkok

Tunyaluk Roongsangjun — 2025-06-24

The objective of this research is to study the caring situation, and guidelines, and create a model for caring for disabled people with severe disability. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with 6 disabled people and 6 family caregivers of disabled people in the Samae Dam subdistrict, Bang Khun Thian district, Bangkok, and 6 disabled academicians, disabled experts from government agencies and 6 experts on disabled people working in the private sector or civil society sector. The collected data were analyzed by conducting typological analysis followed by interpretation and analytic production. The result of this study shows that disabled people within the guidelines for taking care of severely disabled people require holistic care in 5 areas as follows: 1) Physical aspect, 2) Emotional aspect, 3) Spilite aspect, 4) Social aspect and, 5) Welfare rights. (1) Knowledge is daily routine caring including food, medicine, physical therapy, and communication. (2) Required accessories for disabled people are adult diapers, a wheelchair, a cane for disabled people, suction, and first aid kits. (3) Helper including personal assistant, public health volunteer, foster family, foster home, etc. (4) Money including disability allowance, loans, and tax deductions, etc. (5) Social Group, namely, nature groups, clubs, associations, and foundations, etc. (6) Community including people in the community attitude, assistance in carrying and moving, employment, and monitoring and warning. The suggestion and recommendation in this study are to implement a prototype (model) studying caring disability people with severe disability through family prototypes in other provinces in Thailand or countries in the Asia region which have similar economic, and lifestyle models as Bangkok City.

Knowledge of children and youth in the Juvenile Observation and Protection Center regarding the Child Protection Act 2003 and behaviors at risk for delinquency

Siriporn Kaukulnurak — 2025-06-24

The objectives were to study children and youth's knowledge about the Child Protection Act 2003 and the risky behavior of children and youth. Comparing knowledge about the Child Protection Act and the risky behavior of children and youth. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample group of 151 children and youth in the Children and Youth Training Center between 10-20 March 2022. Data was analyzed using statistics: Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and one-way ANOVA by testing pairwise differences using Scheffe's test. Results were that children and youth know the Child Protection Act at a moderate level ( = 15.43), and their risky behaviors for committing offenses are low ( = 1.78). Children and youth with different education and characteristics of close friends will have dissimilar knowledge about the Child Protection Act. Children and youth with disparate occupations, close friends, and offenses have different risk behaviors.