University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Journal Humanities and Social Sciences

Legal measures regarding informal loans Case study of 4 districts in Udon Thani Province

suttichai lortrakul — 2024-09-25

Due to the current slowdown in the economic situation in Thailand may cause private consumption, investment and income in the economy to be decreased. There is the problem of higher unemployment rates, causing many people to lack income. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, there was an economic slowdown from a trade war. This causes the problem of higher living costs. As a result, people have insufficient income to cover expenses. This, in turn, causes borrowing both inside and outside the system. Most of the debtors outside the system are low-income people who are unable to borrow money from within the legal, established system. Therefore, it is necessary to use the loan service from outside the system, which is an informal loan (loan shark) between people and the lender.

Most of them have set interest rates that are higher than that is required by law and there are methods for debt collection that use threats and force or use violence. The problem of informal creditors is a problem that occurs in many ways. Countries around the world have become plagued with social problems and crime problems as a result. However, in the past problems were able to be solved to a certain extent but still does not cover the entire problem of informal creditors. This may change according to the change of government. Most of them focus on solving short-term problems causing more problems in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to study to find legal measures to provide clear operational guidelines so that the government can continue to solve the problem of informal creditors in a sustainable way.

An Analysis of legal Measures on Trade Secrets in Thailand compared to Foreign Laws: A Case Study of Muang Phet Thai Custard Product

Tavephut Sirisakbanjong — 2024-09-25

The recipes of Muang Phet Thai custard and other Thai food products are traditional knowledge of the Thai people which remains a trade secret and undisclosed information under Article 39.2(b) of the TRIPS Agreement. The food product recipes are protected under Article 3 of the Trade Secrets Act B.E. 2545 of Thailand and the legal measures for trade secrets of the TRIPs member states. However, the TRIPS Agreement is based on the principle of minimum standards. Therefore, the TRIPs member states have promulgated different legal measures for trade secrets in each state. Thailand should continue using the Trade Secrets Act B.E. 2545 (sui generis) to protect the commercial exploitation and preservation of traditional knowledge in food product recipes. Thailand should further amend this law in some aspects, such as adding technology information to the definition of trade data, enhancing provisions to guarantee the rights of the employees to trade secret, implementing the registration of trade secrets with the Department of Intellectual Property, and enhancing administrative remedies. With all these amendments, Thailand must comply with the TRIPS Agreement obligations and draw lessons from the experiences of countries selected for studying in their implementation of trade secret law measures

Enhancing Organic Agricultural Products: Analyzing Communication and Decision-Making Determinants

Suphanit Chansong — 2024-09-25

This study was a collaborative effort focused on (1) analyzing communication processes and assessing perceptions to support the development and enhancement of organic agricultural products in the Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province, and (2) investigating the determinants influencing decision-making processes for purchasing organic agricultural products in the same district. A mixed-methods research approach was employed. The qualitative inquiry involved informal interviews and participatory observations with community leaders, community enterprise leaders, and representatives of organic farmers in the Doi Saket District. Concurrently, the quantitative research used inferential statistics to collect essential and empirical data from real locations, surveying 328 people. This collaborative approach ensured that all stakeholders were included and their perspectives were considered in the research process.

The findings indicated that farmers were actively engaged in communication efforts by establishing community organizations that fostered collective self-reliance. Village elders and leaders of agricultural groups within these communities played crucial roles in facilitating participatory engagement, leading to the effective implementation of initiatives. This process facilitated the development of packaging and product branding strategies designed to convey organic agricultural products' safety and quality standards. The study also revealed the significant influence of packaging and branding elements on the decision-making process for purchasing organic farming products, accounting for up to 14.6% of the variance in purchasing decisions.

Analyzing Factors Affecting the Use of Digital Technology to Improve the Quality of Life of Older Adults

Yuthapoom Thanakijborisut — 2024-09-18

Thailand's rapid transformation into a digital society presents significant challenges for older adults as they must adapt to swiftly evolving technologies. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the use of digital technology to improve the quality of life of older adults in line with contemporary societal demands. Data were collected from 450 older adults aged 60 and above in Bangkok through questionnaires and interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of various factors on the probability of older adults improving their quality of life using digital technology. The results indicate that increased age and being currently married are significantly associated with a lower probability of older adults improving their quality of life through digital technology. Conversely, an increase in household members, possession of a bachelor's degree or higher, and prior experience with technology significantly contribute to the likelihood of older adults using digital technology to improve their quality of life. Specifically, these factors increase the probability of older adults improving their quality of life by an average of 3.29%, 24.91%, and 30.24%, respectively, with statistical significance.

Therefore, the use of digital technology plays a crucial role in the daily lives of older adults, enabling them to enhance their quality of life and reduce their dependency on their families.

Application of Financial Ratios to Predict Financial Restatement Enforcement: Financial Statement Fraud Signal

Jirarat Pipatnarapong — 2024-09-25

The objectives of this research are to investigate the relationship between financial ratios and financial statement fraud and apply such results to further develop a forecasting model to detect financial restatements enforcement. Using a sample group of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand between 2011 and 2020, the results show that liquidity and asset turnover ratio are positively related to financial statement fraud. Contrarily, fixed asset turnover ratio is negatively related to financial statement fraud. Such relationships are used as a model to evaluate the effectiveness in predicting companies that are enforced to restate their financial statements. The results indicate that, based on a model built on 3 statistically significant ratios, the liquidity ratio model is the best at predicting companies that are forced to restate their financial statements. The model can predict 35.29% (75th percentile criteria). Next is the asset turnover ratio model, which can predict at 29.41% (75th percentile criteria). Finally, using the fixed asset turnover ratio, the model can detect 25.53% (25th percentile criteria).

The Influence of Social Media Reviews for Brand Reputation, Association, and Purchasing Decisions: The Case of Online Grocery Stores in Thailand

Somcanae Yodpram — 2024-09-25

Recently, the impact of COVID-19 has changed consumer behavior, perception and attitude toward online shopping globally, including online grocery stores sector. While many studies have indicated that many customers consider consumer reviews to be trustworthy because they are based on real experiences by real people, therefore, social media review is the important key to predict customers’ purchasing behavior. The objective of this study has been examined and explained as to how antecedents influence consumers’ purchase decisions regarding online grocery shopping. Data for the analysis were gathered from 288 respondents who had online shopping experience through an online platform in Thailand. The hypotheses framework was analyzed by structural equation modeling technique for investigate the casual relationship between social media reviews, brand reputation, association, and purchasing decisions. The research findings reveal that social media reviews have positive impacts directly to brand reputation and brand association. Results confirmed the effects of both direct and indirect relationships between exogenous and endogenous variables hypothesized in the structural models. The results of this study might contribute and offer several managerial implications to online store owners and online shopping platform developers.

Origin and Function of Narratives in Sermon of Pra Paisal Visalo

Jakkrin Junlaprom — 2024-09-25

This article on “Origin and Function of Narratives in Sermon of Pra Paisal Visalo" was a part of the research titled, “Narratives in Sermon of Pra Paisal Visalo”. The findings revealed that narratives in sermon of Pra Paisal Visalo consisted of 6 types: a) a narrative of unidentified individuals, b) History of Buddha, History of Buddha's disciples and biography of current Buddhist monks, c) a narrative of the disciples or famous people in society, d) a fictional story such as common and Zen tales, e) a historical story, and f) a story of the people whom Pra Paisal Visalo knew and got familiar with.

Additionally, each type of narratives served various functions: 1) a narrative as an introduction to Buddhist principles referred to a story that was told before the sermon, then, Pra Paisal Visalo connected the Buddhist principles by introducing them to solve the problems of that story., 2) a narrative as a main point of the story referred to a narrative used as a leading part of knowledge and understanding in the important content of sermon such as characters of a famous person appearing only in that Dharma episode., and 3) a narrative as an inserted story refers to a short story or example incorporated into the sermon’s content, such as stories of ordinary people who were not famous or many short fables, were different from a narrative used as an example of sermon, which were more emphasized the importance of the stories

Auspicious Symbols of Chinese Ceramics found from Archaeological Excavation in Northern Thailand

Khomsi Meepukdee — 2024-09-25

Chinese ceramics are important as archeological evidence. Normally, they have been found together with Lanna ceramics and ceramics from other countries. This article aims to study the patterns and symbols of Chinese ceramics found in northern Thailand from archeological excavation in the past century. It is found that the decorative patterns and symbols can be classified into seven groups. Auspicious symbols such as flaming pearls are often shown with the dragon, lingzhi (sacred fungus), or key fret. Chinese characters are normally shown at the bottom of ceramics or Chinese characters found in the king's seal. Nobility is found as a person symbol. Animal symbols include cranes, dragons, Qilin, horses galloping in the waves, and cats. Natural symbols include clouds and waves. Floral and botanical symbols include lotus, chrysanthemum, artemisia leaves, and floral scroll designs. Besides, special decorative symbols include Ju-I patterns, arabesque designs, and double Vajra tied with ribbons. The patterns and symbols of Chinese ceramics have influenced Lanna ceramics which then developed into unique designs.

Driving Education Policy to Create Social Justice Under Educational Decentralization

Varavut Voungthapun — 2024-09-25

Education is an important foundation for national development, and the Thai government recognizes this importance by guaranteeing the right to education in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017), Section 54." Currently, the Ministry of Education has regulations regarding the topic "Determining the criteria and methods for decentralizing administration and education" B.E. 2550 (2007), by virtue of Section 5 and Section 39 of the National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999), additional amendments (No.2) B.E. 2545 (2002). In practice, the law regarding decentralization of education has not been truly decentralized, especially educational decentralization in various localities with geographic limitations, obstacles, and problems vary. The government still needs to correct, improve, and develop policies that are consistent with the local context by increasing the management power of students in each locality and reducing the power of command from the central government, which causes injustice in the current education system.

Therefore, driving education policy with local decentralization can be regarded as the starting point of reducing educational inequality and bringing about an education system that can create social justice for the sustainability of Thailand's education system.

Risk Analysis in a General Warehouse using IEC 31010 Guidelines

Warrasade Udomsin — 2024-09-25

The complexity, volatility, interconnectedness of systems, technology, and size of the supply chain bring about problems and risks associated with finance, reliability, environmental impact, failed strategies, etc. The mechanism to systematically analyze problems and risks will help executives or operators make decisions about risks correctly and responsibly for the organization. This article presents a risk assessment method (6 processes) and risk assessment tools from the British Standards Institution (BSI) to analyze and explain. A case study of a warehouse with sunk cost problems is used, employing cause-and-effect diagrams and Bow-shaped analysis diagrams. It was found that sunk costs were caused by inventory reserve, raw materials deterioration, incorrect counting of raw materials and products, and demand forecasts that are often wrong, which affects reduced cash flow and increased opportunity costs. The approach to solving the problem is to develop a database system, design new processes, set order quantity, track raw materials and products, find new funding, and find partners to produce certain products, respectively.