cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.109
title: PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in Bangkok over 10 years and implications for air quality

description: Atmospheric particulate matter particles with a diameter less than 10 micron (PM10) and less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5) have been adverse human health effect. Ambient air pollution data in Central Business District (CBD) of Bangkok monitored by Pollution Control Department and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were collected over ten years in Bangkok from 2008 to 2017. Trend of the particulate matter concentrations data were investigated over ten year for implications of activities related to air pollution. Daily average air pollution data between year 2015 and year 2017 were used as the dependent variables to develop mathematic models with multiple linear regression (MLR) technique for forecasting PM2.5 concentrations in non-monitored areas. The predicted values of PM2.5 concentrations were validated by various statistical performance indicators. The Q-Q plots of the measured and predicted values of both selected ambient monitoring data and roadside monitoring data had significant correlations, with R2= 0.88 and 0.96, respectively. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of PM10 and PM2.5 was quantified as the hazard quotient (HQ) from both the measured and predicted data. The risk areas and HQ were compared using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation technique and illustrated as GIS-based maps. The highest HQ value was discovered in the southern area of the CBD. The risk area could be used for greater precaution propose of public health awareness.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.110
title: A study of social change and dining culture in Korean society : the case of Honbap (혼밥)

description: The purpose of this study is to understand the social change and dining culture in Korean society by emphasizing in Honbap (혼밥), which means eating alone. In Asian countries as Korean society is a collectivism society which people are strong in-groups for a long time, unlike the Western countries where people are in individualism society. The influence of collectivistic values includes the dining culture in Korean society as eating out. Normally, Korean people usually prefer to eat with friends, family members, colleagues rather than eating alone. Eating alone in public looks strange like an outcast, it is hard to find Korean people eating alone in a restaurant. But nowadays, the prosperity of technology, modernization and westernization affects Korean society, the individualistic values also expand among Korean people through the Western culture and also impact to values and demographic change such as late marriage, low fertility in Korean society. The value change not only affects the social change, but also affects dining culture, and eating alone trend gradually occurs in Korean society.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.111
title: Ulaanbaatar's Ger District Residents: An analysis of development challenges and structural violence

description: This study investigates and researches the impact of the Government’s policy of putting the ‘economy first’ by analyzing the situation through the lens of Johan Galtung’s concept of Structural Violence. The research answers the question: How does structural violence occur in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar under the current development challenges?In the 1990’s, after the fall of communism, the IMF and the World Bank, along with some leading political figures within the Government of Mongolia, pushed forward with their plans to bring the free market to Mongolia. The World Bank and the IMF introduced the shock-therapy approach with the aim of quickly integrating Mongolia into the global supply chain. Massive layoffs were instituted within the government and nearly all of the state-owned industries were privatized. This resulted in mass inflation, job loss, and increases in poverty. The consequences of shock therapy reverberated throughout the social landscape for decades. Today, the Government continues to heed the advice of the IMF and the World Bank by focusing on the economy and gaining the trust of foreign investors and other key partners. As a result, the economy continues to be put ahead of social issues and services, with limited consultation with those most effected: the herding populous. What this means is that a pattern of injustice has been solidified within some structures so much so that the lowest-ranking actors, in this case the rural migrants now living in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar, were deprived not only of their respective potential, but undeniably below subsistence minimum. These policies were compounded in 2017 when the Government received a bailout from the IMF. As a result, basic social services were again slashed, and taxes rose across the country to meet the demands for the loans.This paper is particularly focused on extracting data via interviews of internal migrants originally from rural communities now living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. To support these findings, an analysis of civil society, UN reports and in-depth interviews have been conducted, as well as a review of public statements by government officials. The research has found evidence of the structural violence against migrants that have settled in the capital city who were forced to abandon their livelihoods in the countryside and retreat to the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar.This paper concludes that citizens living in the ger districts are the victims of structural violence, and that this violence takes the form of higher morbidity and mortality rates as a direct result of air pollution, limited access to basic social services, and unreasonable distances to healthcare facilities. The circumstances for this inequality are the direct result of the World Bank’s and the IMF’s “shock therapy” strategy and is further perpetuated by poor governance and the exclusion of poor communities from meaningful civic participation.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.112
title: Politics of changes in Thailand's university admission policy (1999-2017)

description: This research aims to study a significant phenomenon, the changes in Thailand’s University Admission system between 1999 and 2017. During this period, the admission system was changed six times. This research focuses on the political factors that led to the changes in admission policy, particularly the relationships among politicians, bureaucracy, schools, civil society and students. The purpose of this research is threefold: (1) to understand the causes and procedures of changes in Thailand’s university admission policy, (2) to study and understand the correlation between politics and changes in university admission system, and (3) to understand the impact these changes had on students. The research findings indicated that in the process of Thailand’s University Admission policy formation from 1999 – 2017, the Council of the University Presidents of Thailand was the dominant policy maker. Bureaucracy, the political sector and the social sector had a minimal role in the policy making process. The Council of the University Presidents of Thailand has consistently monopolized the admission system. The Council is a group of executives from elite universities in Thailand. The study found that changes in the university admission policy also affected educational opportunities. Every change in the admission policy makes the education system more complex. Although the complex system affects every student, the middle class and elite are able to deal with the process more easily than students with added socio-economic costs. The university admission system in Thailand is another example of social exclusion. The education policy should create more opportunities and options for young people, however the university admission policy in Thailand is more so a system to helps elite universities equalize the number of students due to the oversupply of seats in universities.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.113
title: Chin diaspora and their social networks in Thailand : implications for development in Myanmar

description: Due to socioeconomic and political reasons, Chin ethnic people from the western part of Myanmar have been migrating to inner part of the country and abroad. Economic growth and requirement of low skill labor in Thailand since the 1980s have been the pull factors for low skill migrants from its neighbors, including Myanmar. Chin people came to Thailand not only for economic opportunities but also for onward migration. The purpose of this research is to explore the social networks of Chin diaspora in Thailand and their implication to the economic and political development of their home community in Myanmar. With that, diaspora concept of Safran (1991) and migrant social networks concept of Weber (2014) were applied in this research.By using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, the research finds out that the Chin diaspora in Thailand, comprised on different sub-ethnic origins who were from different parts of Myanmar, have similar diasporic characteristics, except in the case of their myth of origin. It is found out that they form fellowships usually related to the Christian churches which facilitates their social networking in Thailand. Sub-fellowships are formed usually based on sub-ethnicity and homophilic tendency exists in transnational networks as well. The research finds out that Chin diaspora in Thailand are committed to sending remittance but they are not keen in political participation for their home community but for some factors. As such, the thesis concludes that Chin diaspora in Thailand meets the six features of the Safran (1991). The strength of ties is stronger within the sub-ethnic networks than their networks as a whole. The Chin diaspora in Thailand moderately contributes to the economic development of their home community and their political implication is weak. The research assesses their future aspiration and predicts that their return is less likely to happen in the near future.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.114
title: Economic security and development: the impacts of Inca Inchi contract-farming as an agricultural business model in Kachin state, Myanmar

description: In Myanmar, Inca Inchi is one of the new economic businesses that made changes to the agriculture sector with both its advantages to the quality of life of the people and a high selling price which generates an economic benefit. This study tries to explore the overall social and economic impact that Inca Inchi contract-farming as a business model has had on the security and development specifically for the farmers who signed the contracts with the Inca Inchi companies in the Kachin state, Myanmar. Sample size in Myitkyina Township represented total population. Quantitative data collection method based on primary data collection from private company, along with qualitative method utilized opened-ended questions which were given to respondents. The findings were divided into three major parts, and each part’s conclusions was determined from records by surveys, focus groups discussion and semi-structure interviews. The primary respondents were famers who planted Inca Inchi in Kachin State, along with the other stakeholders from contracting companies, local government officers, officers from Non-Government Organizations, and local church leaders. Findings covered changes during times beginning with the premier time before the entering of Inca Inchi contract farming to villages highlighted into three economics, social, and politic situations of villages, how the business strategized and got into the villages, cost and benefits and changes that have occurred since the commencement of the contract farming into the villages. The study has revealed that even though the Inca Inchi contract farming would contribute to the over development of not only the farmers who are engaged in the Inca Inchi farming, but would benefit the larger community, which as the study has shown, had an adverse impact for the farmers who got into the Inca Inchi contract-farming due to lack of oversight from the government. Lastly, the researcher disclosed obstructions, suggested solutions, and relationship analysis among five institutions. Recommendations have been made and also suggestions that may be guided for further research on the contract-farming business model so as not to have the same situation as before for the farmers who have been involved in the Inca Inchi contract-farming. Key Words: Human Security/Development/Inca Inchi Contract-Farming/Social and Economic Impacts
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.115
title: Coping with drug abuse in Shan State

description: As we look around the study area, especially in the mountain areas and control over the ethnic armed groups areas, it is not hard to see the drug users and the other chemical substances selling and opium cultivation in the mountain areas. According to the drug dependents the opium cultivation can earn more money and easier than the other crops. As Lashio situated on the China- Myanmar Border Highway Road, China is the main producer of the chemical substances and importer to Myanmar. Because of the geographical situation, the study area is abundant in drug substances and chemical tablets. Heroin and amphetamine are the most popular moreover the number of drug dependents increasing according to the conversations and surrounding justice. This research also examines what is happening in actuality concerning on drug abuse regarding with the instability of political situations in Myanmar. Furthermore, this research analyses some beliefs and myths of drug use in local community, the weakness of knowledge (their practices), education level and the other internal factors which is called social factors influenced the causes of drug abuse. In the study area, it is not hard to find out the drug addicted person not only adult but also teenager in everywhere the meaning of drug use and why they became addicted to drug substances are also included. One of the key priorities of this research include how the Narcotic Drug Control policy 2018 is working during 1 year in actuality and the perceptions change under the mechanism of the new policy also discussed. The analysis of this field research concluded with the findings according to the conversations with 6 drug dependents who registered at the methadone clinic and 2 key informants with health provider and community leader using qualitative method design, consisting of in- depth interviews. This research showing greater focus on the causes of drug addiction, the role of drugs on drug dependents, moreover as the drug abuse is the trigger problems in Myanmar not only the community but also the government have to participate in harm reduction and demand reduction processes under the mechanism of the new policy to change the perceptions of the local people.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.116
title: Explaining barriers and opportunities for recycled pet for food packaging in Thailand through the lenses of organizational environment theory

description: Currently, some plastic-related companies propose a solution of recycled plastic (rPET) for food packaging as a solution for the plastic problem in Thailand. Therefore, the objective of the thesis is to study business behavior in order to understand the rationale of why some company needs to use rPET for food packaging. This study combined two theories which are the organizational environment theory and the institutional theory of CSR to analyze the effect of the internal and the external environment that influence companies to support rPET food packaging.The finding indicates that companies’ mission creates an influence on companies to promote rPET for food packaging in Thailand, especially for global companies. Global companies usually have a clear mission to show responsibility to the plastic problem in any country they are operating. Global companies mostly produce and use massive plastic packaging, making them receive more social pressure than local companies. In terms of the external environment, findings reveal the combination between the availability of financial resources and feedstock of post-consumer PET bottle that influence plastic producers to change or resist to change to rPET production. rPET is new in Thailand, and the country has poor waste segregation system. The market of rPET packaging and the feedstock of post-consumer PET bottles are also limited. It is not easy for some producer to produce rPET food packaging. This can be explained by the second factor which is recycling technology for rPET packaging. For the company who have no recycling technology for food-grade rPET, they need technological investment which requires a huge investment. If there is no clear market for rPET packaging and enough feedstock of post-consumer PET bottle, they would not dare to take a risk in investing in the new technology. Also, if any company which does not have a headquarters mission or receive high pressure from NGOs, it is unlikely for them to change from virgin plastic to rPET which has a higher production cost as well
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.117
title: CLMV male migrant sex workers in Bangkok : livelihoods and social protection

description: Due to the lucrative business of sex industry in Thailand, it welcomes not only Thai sex workers to engage in sex industry, but also migrant sex workers from neighboring countries including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The high incomes of sex industry convince not only the female migrants, but also male migrants either heterosexual or homosexual identified to engage in sexual services. These migrant sex workers are experiencing more barriers that the local due to their migrants’ legal status. Because sex work is not considered a legitimate form of employment, these migrant sex workers are unable to exercise their rights and protections under Thai Labor Protection Act. They are subject to vulnerabilities facing triple legal barriers including labor, immigration, and sex-work laws.The purpose of this research is thus to investigate to what extent does (il)legal status of CLMV male migrant sex workers affect their livelihoods, and to analyze how do they manage their coping strategies and their accessing to social protection. The concepts applied in this research are sustainable livelihood approach, coping strategies, and social protection. This research is in qualitative method conducted through the use of in-depth interviews with 14 CLMV male migrant sex workers, and 5 key informant interviews from government and NGOs. The research is also adopted non-participant observation to observe their activities and interaction amongst sex-work colleagues, captains, and clients in three types of establishments: go-go bars, massage/ spa shops, and beer bars.From the study, it finds that CLMV male migrant sex workers’ livelihoods and their coping strategies of accessing to social protection in Thailand are confined by their (il)legal status from engaging in illegal sex industry, working using tourist visa, and carrying out work without a work permit or carrying out work differently specified in work permit.With that, the paper concludes that (il)legal status of CLMV male migrant sex workers has the effects on their livelihoods and their coping strategies of accessing to social protection in Thailand in different degree. Migrant sex workers who depend on tourist visa are more vulnerable than ones who are employed. However, the degree of vulnerability depends on one’s capacity to cope. CLMV male migrant sex workers adopt loophole strategy (invisibility) and protective strategy as a response to their vulnerabilities. Their accessing to social protection is based on migrants’ employment status. Employment status allows migrant sex workers to get access to social protection. Visa tourist holders cannot get social protection in terms of state policies but can access to social protection through their social network from the community in the form of occupation support to maintain their sex-work career.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.118
title: Taxonomic revision and pollination biology of orchid genera Crepidium Blume and Dienia Lindl. (MALAXIDINAE, ORCHIDACEAE) in Thailand

description: The terrestrial orchid Crepidium Blume and Dienia Lindl. in Thailand were enumerated by Gunnar Seidenfaden under Malaxis with key and drawings. Because of no species descriptions in publication, it is difficult to delimit species boundary. Moreover, recent discovery of new species results in unreliable assessment of species, therefore, the taxonomic revision of Crepidium and Dienia in Thailand should be carried out. The results indicated that the column and transversal callus on labellum are taxonomically important characters to delimit these two genera. In addition, morphological characters, i.e. stem and leaf morphology, labellum auricles, margins and number of teeth on distal margin of labellum, and high ridges on labellum cavity, are useful characters to classify and identify to species. It is suggested that only 1 species of Dienia and 25 species of Crepidium are distributed in Thailand. Four species are new records for Thailand, namely, C. bahanense (Hand.-Mazz.) S. C. Chen & J. J. Wood, C. josephianum (Rchb. f.) Marg., C. maximowiczianum (King & Pantl.) Szlach. and C. micranthum (Hook. f.) Szlach. and a new species, C. falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H. A. Pedersen. Furthermore, the two new combinations are made and substantiated, i.e. C. chamaeorchis (Schltr.) Nuammee, Seelanan, Suddee & H. A. Pedersen and C. szemaoense (Tang & F. T. Wang) Nuammee, Seelanan, Suddee & H. A. Pedersen.The investigation on pollination biology of C. acuminatum (D. Don) Szlach and D. ophrydis (J. Koenig) Ormerod & Seidenf. indicated that C. acuminatum is likely cross-pollinated orchid that relies on pollinators for successful pollination. In contrary, D. ophrydis is autonomous self-pollination assisted by rain whose pollination mechanism was assisted by viscous drops and water adhesion. Both C. acuminatum and D. ophrydis produced and secreted nectar to possibly attract pollinators. The much lower percentages of natural fruit set of C. acuminatum may be due to self-incompatibility, pollinator limitation, coupling with other environmental factors. Whilst, D. ophrydis may employ nectar as attractant to pollinators in order to increasing chance for outcrossing but autonomous self-pollination assisted by rain thus seem to be an important strategy that guarantees fruit set when pollinator’s visits are scarce.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2018.119
title: Aftershock analysis in the mainland Southeast Asia

description: In this study, the characteristics of the aftershock in the mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) were investigated using the several seismological techniques, i.e., i) the Gutenberg-Richter relationship (G-R relationship) ii) the modified Omori’s law iii) the Bath’s law and iv) the fractal dimension. After declustering, 1,697 clusters during 1985-2017, which represent the aftershocks occurring after mainshock were investigated in 13 seismic source zones recognized in the MSEA. According to the Bath’s law, the maximum magnitude of the aftershock depends on the magnitude of the mainshock, with the difference value between 0.4-2.5. In the intraplate zone, it is less than in the interplate zone, especially in Western Thailand and Southern Thailand zones (0.4-0.7). Next, the decay rate of the aftershock and the number of aftershocks based on the modified Omori’s law are positive relation with the magnitude of mainshock. After that the fractal dimension (Dc) for 13 zones are approximately 2.0, which means the distribution of the aftershocks in the MSEA are distributed into two-dimensional fault plane.In addition, for the spatial investigation, the b values of aftershock from the G-R relationship are in range of 0.8-1.8 that different from the mainshock. While for the temporal investigation, it is confirmed that the beginning of the mainshock is high stress, and then gradually release the accumulated stress. Finally, the relationship of the Dc and b values is positive correction as well as the relationship of the Dc values and a-b ratios.