Academic Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Burapha University

“Female Destroyer or Victim of Patriarchal Morality in Religious Institutions” : A Critical Analysis of Power Structures in Thai Monastic Institutions Through the Case of ‘Sika K.’

2025-08-06T10:02:55+07:00

This research aims to 1) examine the construction and functioning of patriarchal moral discourse within Thai Buddhist monastic institutions; 2) critique the role of Buddhism in producing power and controlling women; and 3) propose structural reform approaches for Thai monastic institutions. The study employs qualitative research methodology through document and discourse analysis, using the “Sika K.” case study with theoretical frameworks of gender, power, and discourse. Research instruments include analytical data recording forms and discourse analysis recording forms. Data analysis employs a mixed-method approach combining content analysis and discourse analysis. The research findings reveal that patriarchal moral discourse is deeply embedded in the structure of Thai monastic institutions through three-level mechanisms: 1) mass media, 2) monastic organizations, and 3) public collective perception. This discourse plays a crucial role in producing and reinforcing the image of women as “threats” or “destroyers of religious sanctity”. Conversely, monks involved in various scandals receive diminished responsibility through discourse frameworks portraying them as “victims of defilements” or “temporarily misguided individuals”. This represents a power mechanism that maintains male privilege within the religious system. The research findings concludes that Thai Buddhism not only functions as a religion of morality but also systematically serves as an instrument for reproducing both cultural and institutional patriarchal power.

Pali and Sanskrit Loanwords: A Case Study of Sandhi in Thai Compound Words

2026-01-30T09:56:37+07:00

This research aimed to investigate the characteristics of sandhi-based compound words in Thai derived from Pali and Sanskrit loanwords, with particular emphasis on determining whether these compounds primarily followed Pali or Sanskrit sandhi principles. The data consisted exclusively of compound words formed through sandhi processes, collected from the book Thai Words Derived from Pali and Sanskrit, and were analyzed according to the sandhi principles of Pali and Sanskrit. The findings revealed that sandhi-based Thai compounds could be classified into three types based on their components: 1) compounds whose components were derived from the same source language, 2) compounds in which one component was a Pali loanword and the other was a Sanskrit loanword, and 3) compounds in which one component was derived from both Pali and Sanskrit while the other was derived from either language. Most compound words conformed to vowel sandhi rules common to both Pali and Sanskrit. In addition, Sanskrit consonant sandhi was observed in cases where the first component ended in a consonant sound. Nevertheless, some compound words followed only Pali vowel sandhi rules. Overall, the results demonstrated how sandhi principles from the source languages were adapted within the Thai linguistic system and contributed to a more systematic understanding of sandhi-based compound formation in Thai.

Chao Pho Khao Yai: From Guardian Spirits to the Protectors of Dong Phayayen Forest

2025-04-08T14:40:55+07:00

This article examines the dynamics and roles of beliefs and rituals regarding Chao Pho Khao Yai (the Guardian Spirit of Khao Yai) in Khao Yai National Park. The study was based on the data collected from the Chao Pho Khao Yai worship ceremony held on January 26, 2024, at the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, as well as an analysis of twelve online news reports related to Chao Pho Khao Yai, published between 2016 and 2024. The data were analyzed using the concepts of dynamics and functional roles. The findings revealed that Chao Pho Khao Yai was originally known as “Chao Pho Palat Chang”, a sacred spirit with a shrine in Nakhon Nayok Province. The establishment of the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine was ordered by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat in 1961. Efforts to identify the presiding guardian spirit of the Khao Yai Forest, along with the ceremonial invitation of Chao Pho Palat Chang to reside at a new shrine, led to a transformation in his role, as he evolved into Chao Pho Khao Yai. Consequently, he became to be recognized as a Thepharak (a divine guardian) protecting the entire Khao Yai Forest. At present, the Khao Yai National Park Office continues to uphold the annual worship ceremony of Chao Pho Khao Yai to commemorate the shrine’s establishment. In online media, various news reports continue to highlight Chao Pho Khao Yai, reinforcing public awareness and the persistence of these beliefs. The study identified three key roles of Chao Pho Khao Yai: 1) Providing hope and psychological security, 2) Fostering shared consciousness and social unity, and 3) Regulating and maintaining societal order and norms.

Employment and Determinants to Work among Working-Age Female Population in the Thai Households

2025-05-20T14:19:12+07:00

This study aimed to examine the employment status and the factors influencing labor force participation among working-age women in Thai households. The data were derived from the 2023 Household Socio-Economic Survey (SES), conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand. The target group included female labor force aged 15-59 years. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant determinants of women's employment. The findings revealed that women aged 25-39 have the highest labor force participation rates, which gradually decline with age, particularly in the 55-59 age group. Factors significantly associated with women's employment included age (in an inverted U-shaped relationship), higher educational attainment significantly increases the likelihood of employment. Married women and those with young children are less likely to work compared to their single counterparts, whereas women who serve as heads of household are more likely to participate in the labor market. Furthermore, significant regional disparities were observed between Bangkok and other regions. These findings reflected highlight the multifaceted influences on women's employment, shaped by household structural conditions, educational opportunities, and the socio-spatial contexts of urban and rural areas, with statistical significance.

Cultural Capital and the Commodification Process in Annual Tourism Festivals: A Case Study of the Thung Kula Ronghai Region, 2010s–Present

2025-08-08T16:13:19+07:00

This research article aims to present a body of knowledge concerning cultural capital and the process of commodification within the context of annual tourism festivals, using the Thung Kula Ronghai region (Northern of Thailand) as a case study from the 2010s to the present. This is a qualitative research project employing a local historical methodology that synthesizes and analyzes data from the research project titled “Local History as a Tool for Tracing the Foundation of Communities and Cultural Capital.” Findings reveal that the elevation of cultural capital into annual tourism festivals in the Thung Kula Ronghai area since the 2010s is intricately linked to the belief in local spirits (phi pracham thin), which is expressed through sacrificial rituals and traditional ceremonies. These rituals are deeply rooted in the original cultural capital of each community and have been adapted and transformed into new forms of cultural products and tourism festivals. This transformation has contributed to strengthening the grassroots economy of local communities throughout the Thung Kula Ronghai region up to the present day.

Keywords: Commodification process, cultural capital, Thung Kula Ronghai, grassroots economy

The Status of Research on Cohesion in the Thai Language

2025-08-04T08:44:40+07:00

This research article aims to analyze the overall status and trends of research on cohesion in the Thai language. Data were collected from three major sources: Thai Digital Collection (TDC), Thai Journals Online (ThaiJo), and higher education thesis repositories, totaling 40 studies. The findings reveal that the overall status of cohesion research can be divided into seven categories: literary works, legal texts, narratives, dialects, news, essays, abstracts, and miscellaneous. The research trends concerning cohesion in Thai can be summarized in three aspects. 1) The number of studies has trended upward, increasing from an average of one study per year in the initial period to three per year between 2018 and 2025. This indicates growing academic interest and suggests continued expansion in this research area. 2) The sources used in the studies were diverse in the early years. From 2000 to 2009, Thai literary texts were the most popular, though their use has since declined due to the growth of other data sources. However, they have continued to appear in every period and are expected to remain in use. At the same time, foreign literary texts show a trend of increasing popularity. 3) The theoretical frameworks most frequently employed in cohesion research are those of Halliday and Hasan, Cholthicha Bamrungrak, and Chanawangsa, which have been applied consistently across all periods.

Usage of Intra-Iconic Texts in French Language Almost Wordless Picturebooks

2025-06-10T09:42:56+07:00

This research article examines the usage of “intra-iconic text,” or text appearing as an integral part of illustrations, in seven French almost wordless picturebooks published between 1990 and 2020 that feature such text. The study analyzes the types of intra-iconic text based on Bosch's classification and investigates their role in narrative progression, drawing on theories by Nikolajeva and Delbrassine and Centi The findings reveal that intra-iconic texts in the studied books serve three main roles: 1) Complementary intra-iconic texts are essential for a complete understanding of the narrative. Examples include the indication of location in Monsieur Hulot à la plage or the depiction of time to create a sense of urgency in Le petit chaperon rouge : la scène de la chemise de nuit. 2) Intra-iconic texts as amplification expand the narrative's dimension and provide additional information, even if the reader could still grasp the story without them. An example is the introduction of a character's profession in L'écharpe rouge. 3) Observational intra-iconic texts encourage readers to notice details within the illustrations and promote analytical thinking. This role is evident in the hidden letters and numbers in Le colis rouge and La fabrique

Mae Hong Son Chicken: Beliefs, Rituals, and Local Wisdom with Approaches to Promote Community Food Security

2025-06-10T10:13:19+07:00

This qualitative folklore research aims to study the beliefs, rituals and local wisdom concerning Mae Hong Son chicken, as well as to explore approaches for promoting community food security through Mae Hong Son chicken. The researchers collected field data through interviews with people knowledgeable about Mae Hong Son chicken. Data were also collected on the rituals of the Shan ethnic group and the Red Karen ethnic group in Mae Hong Son Province during 2022-2024. The results showed that the beliefs, rituals and local wisdom of the Shan people included: 1) belief in the auspicious characteristics of the chicken according to the Shan texts; 2) belief in spirits; 3) belief in guardian spirits; 4) spirit-calling ritual; 5) guardian spirit feeding ritual; 6) New Year ceremony; 7) raising roosters to lure jungle fowls; and 8) observing the rooster's crowing time to tell the time. The beliefs, rituals and local wisdom of the Red Karen people included: 1) belief in the legend of chicken worship; 2) belief in prophecy; 3) belief in guardian spirits; 4) belief in spirits; 5) spirit-calling ritual; 6) chicken bone fortune-telling ritual; 7) forest spirit feeding ceremony; 8) rice harvesting ceremony; 9) second wedding ceremony; 10) Poi Ton Thee tradition; and 11) Poi Khao Tom tradition. There were three approaches to promote community food security through Mae Hong Son chicken: 1) establishing a community chicken trading center; 2) developing processed products from Mae Hong Son chicken; and 3) promoting knowledge about Mae Hong Son chicken among youth in educational institutions.

Factors Affecting Satisfaction with Innovations in Community Product Creation to Communicate the Identity of the San Kamphaeng District Community

2025-03-24T14:33:57+07:00

This study aimed to 1) study the opinions on the factors influencing the choice to use community product to communicate identity 2) study the satisfaction with innovations in community product creation to communicate identity, and 3) study the factors that affect satisfaction with innovations in community product creation to communicate identity. This quantitative study employed survey research. The sample group consisted of 400 people from the general population in Chiang Mai province, selected by accidental sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results of the study found that 1) the level of opinion regarding the main factors influencing the choice to use community products was high (=3.724, S.D.=0.765) 2) Satisfaction with innovations in community product creation to communicate identity was high (=3.703, S.D.=0.755) and 3) marketing stimuli, other stimuli, customer expectations, and product quality could together predict satisfaction with innovations in community products to communicate identity by 56.30 percent.

Strategies for Enhancing Stress Coping among Adolescents in the Southern Border Region of Thailand

2025-04-10T09:15:19+07:00

This research aimed to develop strategies to enhance stress coping among adolescents in the southern border region, using qualitative research methods. Data were collected through semi-structured & in-depth interviews with 19 adolescents aged 15-18, school administrators, & representatives of the Children & Youth Council. Insights derived from the in-depth data analysis informed the development of three strategic approaches: 1) Policy strategies, such as establishing a mental health assessment system, establishing a school counseling clinic, & implementing an anonymous feedback mechanism. 2) Training strategies, with an emphasis on developing the skills of teachers, parents, & adolescents in understanding & managing stress, as well as promoting life skills education alongside academic development. And 3) Activity strategies, focusing on creating emotionally safe spaces & facilitating creative activities that address the needs & reflect the religious & cultural contexts of the area. The results of this research can be used as policy & practice guidelines to promote mental health & enhance adolescents’ capacity to cope with stress in the southern border region.

Social Investment Welfare

2025-05-15T14:52:22+07:00

Traditional social welfare systems, which primarily focus on alleviating immediate hardships and providing assistance to the poor and disadvantaged, have increasingly come under scrutiny regarding their fiscal efficiency and effectiveness. Although such approaches were once effective, they have become less suited to address the challenges emerging from rapidly shifting economic and social contexts. These include transformations in mode of production, the rapid advancement of digital technologies, and significant demographic shifts to complete aged society. These changes have given rise to unprecedented social issues and heightened expectations that public welfare spending should actively contribute to economic development. In response, the concept of social investment welfare has been introduced as a new paradigm, emphasizing the role of social welfare in fostering human capital and promoting long-term economic growth. This model has been adopted across several European countries as a strategy to align social welfare with economic development objectives and to mitigate the fiscal burden on the state.

Play for the Development Social and Emotional Learning in Young Children

2025-11-07T13:52:02+07:00

Play is essential to the development and natural learning processes of young children. If children do not have appropriate opportunities to play according to their age, they may be at risk of deficiencies in social and emotional learning skills, which can subsequently lead to various behavioral problems in the future. For this reason, the author compiled important information related to this issue from both Thai and international contexts and synthesized it into appropriate guidelines for developing children’s social and emotional learning skills. These skills included self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These competencies were fostered through diverse forms of play, including symbolic play, constructive play, rule-based play, physical play, and free play. The approach applied the SAFER framework comprising sequence, activity, focus, expressiveness, and responsiveness, which had been adapted to suit Thai social contexts. This will enable parents and relevant stakeholders to use the guidelines as a practical framework for promoting children’s developmental abilities across age stages, thereby supporting children to grow to their full potential and become high-quality human resources in the future.