Online Discussion #3: Current Issues in Thailand

Public Policy is a guideline set by a government to either act, or not act in order to resolve clusters of entangled and long-term problems to improve the quality of life of the people in the country and determine the direction of the country by using, for example, fiscal policy as policy instruments.

According to an article, there are 16 major issues in Thailand as shown below that can pose as long-term problems in Thailand and should be considered.



In your opinion, what could be a problem in these issues. Please explain one problem in any of the issues and support your explanation with data.

Time limit: Until Sunday 10 December 2023.
The discussion will be assessed according to the attached criteria.

Thai Agricultural Sector: From Problems to Solutions



According to the news, the Thai agriculture sector employs around 30 percent of the total labor force. However, it also generates the lowest value added per worker with the slowest growth relative to other economic sectors, as its contribution to national income has declined over the past three decades accounting for only 10 percent of GDP in 2019.

So the problem are the low workers in Thai agriculture sector and low agriculture production. Then, there is a lower GDP which causes a lower national income.

In my opinion, the problems are caused by many factors as follows.
1. Low income: Low incomes make people likely to do agriculture less. Some 40 percent of farming households earned an annual income below Thailand's poverty line of 32,000 baht. Moreover, some of Thai agricultures have some debt due to insufficient income.
2. Aging: The aging labor will produce less production than the younger. Agricultural labor aged 40-60 increased significantly from 39 percent of the workforce in 2003 to 49 percent in 2013, while younger farmers aged 15-40 declined from 48 percent to 32 percent over the same period.
3. Land ownership and access to water resource: Difficulty in accessing water sources and lack of land ownership causes people not want to do agriculture. According to farmer registration 2017, some 40 percent of farm households do not have land ownership and only 42 percent of them have access to water resource.
4. Small size of farm: Small plantation leads to a low level of productivity. In 2017, half of farming households owned below 10 rai of farmland per household.
5. Climate change:  The changing climate is also adding to resource problems such as water scarcity, pollution, and soil degradation. These resource problems will lead to lower agricultural production.

Due to the many problems above, I think the government should support the younger generation entering the sector to strengthen the industry with innovative instruments and farm management. These could build up both productivity and add value to farm products. So this can help to increase GDP and national income.

Reference:
https://thailand.un.org/en/103307-thai-agricultural-sector-problems-solutions

Education issue

The Fund for Educational Equality (EEF) is one of the organizations committed to eliminating educational inequality. Introduce us to the fact that

“There are many children who are unable to withstand the poverty of their families. As we have seen from the news about the suffering of children. Appears in every type of media, every day. Shockingly, there are currently more than 2,000,000 Thai children at risk of dropping out of the education system because of 'poverty'.



Here is a real example happened in Thailand. For further information, feel free to visit in the reference link attached below.

1. The student's family is poor and has an income of 15 baht per day.
2. 44.5% of students in remote areas do not eat breakfast.
3. Children in remote areas must walk more than 20 kilometers to go to school.
4. Around 200,000 school children are orphaned and dropped out of the education system.
5. The dilapidated condition of the house also affects education.

educational opportunities is an opportunity to develop the country This year's Nobel Prize-winning economists, Professors Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, won for summarizing the lessons learned from decades of economic development studies around the world. has clearly emphasized that the best approach (the best bet) in developing the country It may not be aimed at injecting money to stimulate the economic system. But it is about raising the living standards of the people. Especially those with low incomes through investment in education and the public health system This will lead to the eradication of poverty and hunger. Increase economic growth potential and truly achieve the sustainable development goals.

Reference: adaymagazine.com/educational-inequality/

According to PrimoCare, Bangkok is currently dealing with a serious air pollution problem mostly caused by high levels of PM2.5. The fine particulate matter, with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, poses a significant threat to public health. The sources of PM2.5 in Bangkok, including vehicle emissions, construction sites, and the burning of agricultural waste, contribute to the persistence of this problem.

PM2.5 pollution in Bangkok comes from human-made sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and burning fossil fuels. Traffic jams in the city make vehicle emissions worse, and construction sites add more dust. The common practice of burning agricultural waste in Thailand makes the PM2.5 issue even worse. The identified sources align with the two categories: man-made sources (industry activities, burning of wood, and fireworks) and natural sources (dust, soot, grime, wind-borne salt, pollen, and smoke from wildfires).

In my opinion, PM2.5 is considered a pollution issue in Thailand and could negatively affect public health since it has various health impacts, particularly on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, people should be more concerned about this and take some action to lessen its detrimental impacts.

The following ideas suggest how we should deal with the thePM2.5

1. Regulation and Enforcement: Enforce stricter regulations on emissions from automobiles and industry, as well as the construction of PM2.5-absorbing materials.
2. Alternative Energy Sources: Advise people to reject dirty energy sources like coal and switch to cleaner, more environmentally friendly energy.
3. Waste Management: Work toward increasing recycling and finding more effective ways to manage waste so that agricultural waste doesn't have to be burned.
4. Public Awareness and Education: Launch public awareness campaigns about the health risks associated with PM2.5 pollution and inform people about ways to lessen its effects, like not burning rubbish.

Reference: https://primocare.com/en/pm-2-5-air-pollution-and-the-impacts/

Thailand had the highest income inequality in the East Asia and economic challenges, particularly income inequality and wealth concentration, necessitate immediate attention and comprehensive policy reforms.



Few example from this problem are
1.Income Inequality: Thailand's persistent challenge of income inequality is exemplified by a tenfold rise in the wealth gap between  between the top 20% and bottom 20% of earners income quintiles over the last 25 years.
2.Rural Poverty: The World Bank report emphasizes the difficulties faced by rural households, highlighting issues related to inequality as well as the farming industry.
3.Household Debt: The ballooning debt burden of households, which has reached 87% of GDP, is a financial concern that is related to the larger issue of income inequality welfare issues.
4.Issues in the Capital Market: in the Thai capital market that affect small investors and indicate challenges in the business and financial industries.
5.Centralized Control and Lack of Knowledge: the issue of an overly dominant central system, indicating geopolitical issues, and emphasizes the lack of knowledge and innovation, reflecting concerns about skills and abilities.

So, The pressing reveal many of income inequality which the  critical need for government initiatives to empower local communities. Collaboration with the private sector is critical for the long-term implementation of income inequality-reduction policies. This approach promotes innovation, which contributes to long-term national impact and a brighter future for the country.

Reference: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2023/07/17/thailands-economy-awaits-new-government-to-tackle-wealth-gap/

The aging society in Thailand has faced distinctive challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older individuals are generally more vulnerable to severe outcomes of COVID-19, including a higher risk of complications and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had wide and variety impacts on aging societies worldwide, affecting older individuals in various aspects. From my point of view, there are several problems with COVID-19 that impact aging society.



For example:

1.Health Vulnerabilities:
Aging is often associated with an increased risk of chronic health conditions. Older individuals may have compromised immune systems and pre-existing health issues, making them more susceptible to severe outcomes if they contract COVID-19 or other illnesses.
2.Long-Term Care Facilities:
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities have been particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. The close living quarters and shared spaces make it challenging to contain the spread of the virus, leading to high infection rates and mortality among older residents.
3.Social Isolation and Loneliness:
Public health measures, such as lockdowns and social distancing, have resulted in social isolation and loneliness among older individuals. Reduced social interactions can contribute to mental health issues and a diminished quality of life.
4.Vaccine Access Disparities:
Disparities in vaccine access and distribution can leave older individuals in certain regions or demographic groups more vulnerable to COVID-19. Unequal access to vaccines can prolong the threat of the virus within aging populations.

reference: https://researchgate.net/publication/374795792_Aging_Society_in_Thailand_during_the_COVID-19_Pandemic
https://adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/54177-001-sd-10.pdf

Environmental pollution in Thailand



Based on the article, traffic and industry activities are the major problem of air pollution. Moreover, improper solid waste management from more than 25 million metric tons of solid waste makes things even worse. In order to solve these issues, the government has put policies in place that limit vehicle emissions, forbid open burning, avoid the use of plastic, and establish rules for industrial water drainage. On top of that they also spent approximately ten billion Thai baht on environmental protection in 2022. However, the pollution problems still exist in Thailand.

In my opinion, the reason why the policy seems to not be effective is because most Thai citizens do not devote much attention to the pollution problems. The air pollution would become even bigger problem in the future because:

1. Health Impacts: It has negative effects on respiratory health, leading to conditions like asthma, lung diseases, and respiratory infections. Long-term exposure to pollutants increases the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and even cancer.

2. Environmental Impacts: Air pollution damages ecosystems, resulting in acid rain, a decline in biodiversity, and damage to plants. Pollutants change the composition of the atmosphere, which leads to climate change.

3. Economic Impacts: It puts an impact on healthcare systems by driving up medical costs for illnesses brought on by pollution. Sick days and poor performance at work lead to a decrease in productivity.

4. Global Impact: Some pollutants have an impact well beyond the areas in which they are produced, contributing to global problems such as ozone depletion and climate change.

Therefore, the government should raise awareness and educate people in more detail why the pollution problem is important to our lives.

Ref: https://www.statista.com/topics/9203/environmental-pollution-in-thailand/#topicOverview
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/uploads/imported_images/uploads/2023/05/np_file_226332.jpeg

By Sutida Lekprateep 6405624

Tax Problem in Thailand


Thailand faces several interconnected challenges in its tax system, impacting revenue collection and hindering effective fiscal policy. The cause of the problem is the reason following this:

1. Informal Economy and Tax Evasion: The substantial size of the informal economy, where economic activities go unreported, leads to tax evasion.

2. Regressive Tax Structure: Thailand's heavy reliance on indirect taxes, such as the Value-Added Tax (VAT), contributes to a regressive tax structure. While indirect taxes are effective revenue sources, they disproportionately affect lower-income individuals. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) notes that this regressive nature of taxation can contribute to income inequality.

3. Weak Tax Compliance and Administration: Inefficiencies in tax administration and enforcement contribute to weak compliance. The Ease of Doing Business Index indicates that Thailand's tax compliance score reflects room for improvement in the efficiency of tax administration.

4. Cash Transactions and Underreporting:The prevalence of cash transactions, especially in certain sectors, facilitates the underreporting of income. The Bank of Thailand reports that cash transactions remain high in the country, contributing to challenges in monitoring and taxing economic activities.

In conclusion, the tax problem in Thailand is rooted in a combination of factors, including the significant presence of the informal economy, reliance on regressive indirect taxes, weak tax compliance, and the prevalence of cash transactions. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, involving reforms to formalize economic activities, enhance tax administration efficiency, and create a fair and equitable tax system. Policymakers should leverage these insights to formulate effective strategies for sustainable revenue generation and fiscal stability in Thailand.

Ref: https://www.the101.world/one-on-one-atipat/#:~:text=%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A8%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88,%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B6%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99

Most sectors in Thailand face high levels of corruption. Despite Thailand's legal framework and a variety of anti-corruption authorities, businesses may experience bribery or other corrupt practices on a regular basis. For example,

1. Judicial System:
Thailand's legal system faces corruption risks, as companies often make extra payments for favorable judgments. After the 2014 military coup, the judiciary became politicized, impacting its independence.
2. Police:
The police, often considered the most corrupt institution, is influenced by politics and patronage. In 2017, a provincial police commissioner was ousted for allegedly seeking bribes from officers vying for promotion.
3.Natural Resources:
The fishing industry is plagued by corruption, leading to human rights abuses. A 2017 UN report criticized Thailand for not addressing slavery and abuses in this sector, with officials assisting gangs involved in mistreating migrant workers.

Therefore, dealing with corruption in Thailand requires reform to revive it.

Reference : ganintegrity.com/country-profiles/thailand/

Thai students attend school for long periods of time. some of the longest in the world. But there are problems in the quality of education, especially when it comes to applying knowledge to practical situations. And the cirriculum still hasn't change for the past two decades.

In my opinion, the curriculum has become outdated over the past 20 years. This is evident when considering the fact that Thai students spend around 6-7 hours at school and often need to attend tutoring sessions after school to gain additional knowledge not covered in the curriculum. This extra support can be costly. Students should have the opportunity to use this time to explore their interests and determine the type of work they want to pursue. Students from families that cannot afford tutoring must study diligently on their own. Unfortunately, their educational experience may not be comparable to that of students who have access to good teachers.

In conclusion, I believe that updating the curriculum to make in-class learning more effective so there is no need for students to invest additional time and money in acquiring knowledge that should be comprehensively covered during regular school hours.

Reference : https://www.thailand-business-news(dot)com/opinion/100063-addressing-the-poor-quality-of-thailands-education-system#:~:text=Thai%20children%20spend%20long%20hours%20in%20school%2C%20but%20the%20quality,in%20the%20past%2022%20years.
                 https://www.bangkokpost(dot)com/opinion/opinion/1612534/when-tutoring-overtakes-teaching

Thailand Gender Inequality



A significant issue in Thailand that has been promoted for a while is gender inequality. The report has shown that the norm of society in Thailand prefers men to act as a labor force more than women. According to the statistics, the labor force participation rate for women is 59%, while for men is 75%. Women are required to spend 3.2 more times to participate in unpaid domestic work as well. Besides, women's representation in the national parliament is only 15.7%, which is lower than the average for East Asia and Pacific and upper-middle-income countries.

In my opinion, gender inequality issue has been influenced by historical, cultural, economic, and social factors. For example, Thailand's norm in the past that will allow women to participate only in household work. Or even the belief that women cannot be able to provide strong decisions.

In the long run from issue:
1. Economic Impact: By limiting women's access to education and employment opportunities, leading to a less productive and competitive workforce.

2. Human Development Limitation: Continue doing this will not be able to allow women to participate in the labor force much, leading them not to reach their full potential. Finally, the country may lose a chance of acquiring skills and talents from someone.
3. Social and Cultural Unchanged: This can contribute to the continuation of harmful behaviors such as gender-based violence and discrimination.

Refernce: https://www[dot]worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/brief/thailand-gender-and-inclusion-knowledge-management-notes#:~:text=Despite%20progress%20made%20towards%20gender,and%20care%20work%20than%20men[dot]

Udomchai Chunhasunthorn 6405591

Welfare benefits issue in Urban-Rural Disparities



In the last 30 years, Thailand has reduced poverty but faces challenges in inequality and slower progress since the early 2010s. Rural areas bear the brunt, with a higher poverty rate than urban zones. Income inequality is high, especially with rural households earning 68% of urban incomes. To improve rural incomes, the report suggests addressing issues like low education and tough living conditions . People in urban areas lack the resources to seek health care or education, in contrast to those in rural areas who can afford more expensive, highly educated therapy. Key actions include boosting agricultural productivity, supporting crop diversification, and improving market access. The findings highlight the need for policy reforms, digital literacy, and skill development.

In my opinion:In Thailand, some places are richer and have better opportunities (urban areas), while others, like rural areas, face challenges like fewer jobs and limited access to good schools and healthcare like. From my experience of welfare benefits that
I have face is my another house in urban cannot get high quality medical care because there is just a tiny clinic there rather than a hospital.

In the long run from issue

Limited Healthcare Facilities: Compared to rural locations, urban areas typically have hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are more modern. There can be fewer hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical services available in rural areas.

Education and Skills: For rural households to be prosperous in the long run, formal education, digital literacy, and skill development must all improve.

Market Access: Improving market accessibility is crucial. This entails developing e-commerce, building out rural infrastructure, and enacting legislative changes to enable effective resource utilization.

Referencehttps://www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/publication/thailand-rural-income-diagnostic-challenges-and-opportunities-for-rural-farmers

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a significant issue as they are the leading cause of death in Thailand for 74% of all deaths.

The problem that should be considered is the limited effectiveness of current policies, which is partly attributed to an analysis of the public health system, showing that current policies are not sufficiently strong to induce comprehensive changes in health behaviors. Additionally, the healthcare service system lacks resources for disease control, and health insurance systems have not properly specified benefits to cover health check-ups and disease screenings that would raise public awareness of health issues and facilitate behavior adjustment.

Furthermore, previous research suggests that Thailand's current emphasis on healthcare ignores the complexities behavior. Policies typically focus on providing health information, but they may not consider the complexities of human behavior. Encouraging the population to change their behaviors requires more than sharing knowledge and needs to extend beyond the public health system. For example, unhealthy behaviors may persist not due to a lack of knowledge but because of a perceived immediate benefit outweighing future health risks.

In conclusion, they suggest that solving health behavior complexities and encouraging changes in behavior require a collaborative approach involving various societal sectors. Policies need to consider community strengths and social resources, at the same time, they should concern economic and social issues to improve an environment conducive to positive behavior change.

Reference: https://www.pier.or.th/abridged/2023/09/

Raksanalee Chanawiwat

One significant problem in law issues in Thailand is the issue of defamation laws and their potential impact on freedom of expression. Thailand has strict defamation laws that have been criticized for being used to stifle criticism, dissent, and investigative journalism. The laws can be wielded against individuals expressing their opinions or reporting on issues deemed sensitive by the authorities.

Thailand's defamation laws, particularly under Sections 326 to 333 of the Thai Criminal Code, have been a source of concern for human rights advocates and media freedom organizations. These laws criminalize defamation and can result in criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The broad interpretation and application of these laws have led to self-censorship and a chilling effect on free speech.

In my opinion : Strict defamation laws in Thailand hinder freedom of expression and the press, essential for democracy. Reforming these laws can create a more transparent legal environment, balancing the protection of reputations with preserving democratic principles like free speech and a vibrant, independent media.

Reference: https://www.herrera-partners.com/defamation-in-thailand/#:~:text=In%20Thailand%2C%20the%20defamation%20is,the%20reputation%20of%20the%20injurer.

By Chayakorn Kaewtathip 6405538

In my opinion, addressing healthcare challenges in Thailand is crucial for ensuring equitable access and quality services for all citizens. One significant problem within Thailand's healthcare system is the disparity in healthcare access and quality between urban and rural areas.

According to the World Bank, Thailand's healthcare system has made significant progress in achieving near-universal health coverage through its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme. However, there's a persistent gap in healthcare access and quality between urban and rural regions. Rural areas often face shortages of healthcare facilities, medical professionals, and essential resources compared to urban centers.

Data from the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand highlights this discrepancy. For instance, the density of healthcare personnel (doctors, nurses, and midwives) per 10,000 population is significantly lower in rural areas compared to urban regions. This disparity in healthcare personnel directly affects access to medical services and contributes to reduced healthcare quality in rural communities.

Additionally, access to specialized healthcare services and advanced medical technologies is more limited in rural areas. This leads to challenges in diagnosing and treating complex medical conditions, forcing rural residents to travel long distances to urban centers for specialized care.

To address this issue, public policy reforms could focus on improving healthcare infrastructure, incentivizing healthcare professionals to work in rural areas, and investing in telemedicine and mobile healthcare units to bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare access.

Furthermore, policies aimed at equalizing the distribution of healthcare resources, increasing funding for rural healthcare facilities, and implementing strategies to attract and retain healthcare professionals in underserved areas are essential to ensure equitable healthcare access and quality across Thailand.

References:
https://wwwpacificprime.co.th/blog/the-challenges-of-thailands-public-healthcare-system/
https://data[dot]worldbank.org/country/thailand
https://wwwmoph.go.th/

Soravit Adirekkiat 6405578

It is widely considered among the academic community that teachers in basic education are quickly becoming an educational liability. Poor salary and declining social class status are the main factors in deterring would-be high quality teachers. There are few incentives to become a teacher and the brightest students choose other professions. Consequently, much of the teacher workforce consists of average quality graduates at best. often associated with the Thai education system:

1. Inequality: There are disparities in educational opportunities and resources between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socioeconomic groups. Access to quality education is not uniform across the country.

2. Teacher Quality: Ensuring consistent and high-quality teaching across all regions and schools can be challenging. Addressing issues related to teacher training, professional development, and recruitment is crucial for improving overall education quality.

3. English Proficiency: While English is an important global language, there have been concerns about the proficiency of English language education in Thailand. Improving English language skills is often seen as essential for the country's competitiveness in the global job market.

4. Overcrowded Classrooms: Large class sizes can make it challenging for teachers to provide individual attention to students, potentially impacting the quality of education.

Conclusion:The Thai education system faces several challenges, including a reliance on rote learning, inequality in access to quality education, a heavy focus on standardized testing, concerns about teacher quality and training, issues with English proficiency, a curriculum that may not align with the needs of the modern workforce, overcrowded classrooms, and a historical emphasis on academic paths over vocational education. Efforts have been made to address these issues, but ongoing reforms may be necessary to create a more equitable and effective educational environment.

Ref:https://inford.org/thai-education-problems-with-the-system/

Thailand is facing a big challenge with its growing number of older people. The Worldmeters website says the average age in Thailand is 40.2 years, higher than in other similar developing countries. By 2040, about 28% of the population will be over 60, more than in many rich countries. This is happening because fewer babies are being born, and people are living longer.

This aging population is causing problems for Thailand:

More demand for healthcare and help: As people get older, they need more medical care and support. Thailand's healthcare system is having a hard time keeping up, with not enough workers and lots of people dealing with chronic illnesses.

Less people working: As the population gets older, there are fewer people working. This is making Thailand's economy and competitiveness go down.

More people depending on others: The ratio of people who don't work to those who do is going up. This means fewer people are working to support more people who are not working. This is straining Thailand's support systems and money.

In conclusion, The Thai government should create a plan to tackle the issues caused by the aging population. This plan should involve:
Enhancing Healthcare and Social Services: Make healthcare and support for older individuals better and easier to access.
Encouraging Jobs for Older People: Promote job opportunities for older citizens to maintain a strong workforce.
Financial Assistance for Older People: Provide financial aid to support older individuals.
Raising Retirement Age: Consider increasing the age at which people retire to balance the shrinking workforce.
Promoting Family Growth: Encourage younger generations to have more children to address declining birth rates.

References:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/publication/aging-and-the-labor-market-in-thailand
https://www.who.int/thailand/news/feature-stories/detail/thailands-leadership-and-innovation-towards-healthy-ageing
https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/thailand-population/

Thailand is transitioning into an aging society
According to the population data of Thailand in 2013, from over 64.6 million people, 9.6 million are elderly. Which is the first year in Thailand's history which the number of elder is higher than children. Within 2030, the estimated number of elderly people is 17.6 million (26.3 percent) and in 2040 is 20.5 million people (32.1 percent). These are the results from decreasing in Thai's birth rate and also the level of population mortality.

Labor shortage
From the aging society issue, the number of working age people will become lower and might leads to a labor shortage problem and also a negative impact in Thailand economy. Firms have to hire more of foreign workers instead of Thais, but required to pay higher salaries. Not only that, the government have to put more money for the welfare, but also got less taxes from the elderly, which causing a fiscal crisis. Moreover, there will be an increasing burden for family members to take care elders, putting pressure on the working age and children, which directly impacts Thai workers' productivity. All these problems obviously result in a lower Thailand's level of productivity.

References:
https://shorturl.at/wU058

Kittipop Kositchaimongkol 6405605

Blood Donation Policies



Policies in Thailand prohibit blood donation by men who have sex with men or by same-sex couples. These restrictions have historically been based on concerns about HIV transmission. However, such policies have faced criticism for being discriminatory and not aligning with modern testing technologies. This is some problem in this issues:

Stigmatization: Policies that prohibit blood donation from gay or bisexual may perpetuate stigma and reinforce negative stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community.

lack of Scientific Basis: Critics argue that such restrictions are based on outdated notions and perpetuate discrimination without a strong scientific basis. Modern testing and screening methods can effectively ensure the safety of the blood supply.

Decreased Blood Supply: If same-sex couples are not allowed to donate, there might be fewer people giving blood. This may result in a shortage of blood for people who need it for surgeries, accidents, or other health issues.

In conclusion, Thailand should cancel blood donation policies that restrict same-sex couples to support fairness, inclusivity, and community well-being. Allowing same-sex couples to donate blood ensures that everyone is treated equally, promoting a sense of unity and acceptance. This change not only fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere but also contributes to a larger and more diverse donor, meeting the demand for blood transfusions and enhancing the overall health of the community.

Reference: https://workpointtoday.com/lgbtq-right/

More mergers and acquisitions have occurred in the Thai's corporate world in the last 2-3 years. Big capital increases until many people believe it will have market dominance and a lack of competition in the business.
Many parties are concerned that if this situation persists. There will be no surviving small businesses. Customers are unable to choose. Markets and products will not develop.
Thailand has structural economic challenges. As a result, the Thai economy is unable to increase its growth as it should which can be expected from Business mergers in Thailand are expected to almost double in 2021 compared to the previous year. The value of mergers and acquisitions climbed to 2.1 trillion baht (3.4 times more than the previous year) etc. These figures show that the Thai economy is highly concentrated. Furthermore, the distribution of economic gains between large and small businesses differs.
According to the Trade Competition Act 2017, Thailand has an official trade competition supervision “Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT)”, formerly known as OTCC.
However, there are many situations of significant capital mergers and acquisitions in Thailand that no one can object to. For example, in the instance of the merger of 'True' and 'DTAC', the TCCT stated that it "has no right to interfere" because the NBTC's laws govern it. In deciding, many individuals have questioned the TCCT's strength and function, wondering whether the TCCT is just a 'paper tiger' or not.

In my opinion, I think the fact that Thailand has such a huge monopoly may result in a situation of "The rich are clustered, the poor are scattered" with only a small group of people benefiting while most small business owners cannot compete with big capital. As for the people, there are fewer purchasing options and may result in more expensive products with the same or even worse quality. Thus, the government should be the one to strictly reduce this monopoly and inequality so that Thailand can move forward together.

Reference: https://workpointtoday.com/tcct-trade-competition-policy/

According to https://disorderlydrifters.com/do-they-speak-english-in-thailand/ only around 27% of Thais are actually able to hold conversations in English therefore I feel like
education might be a major problem this is because as one of the most visited country Thailand used to rely on Tourism as one of the main sources of economy however after the pandemic Thailand's Tourism has dropped to around 5% but in 2023 Thailand's tourism has healed up quite a bit. Therefore to further strengthen the incentive of people coming to visit Thailand I believe more people should be able to communicate in English especially in the rural areas since tourism is something that is recommended mouth to mouth rural areas that tourists do not know about might get to shine as more good sides are shown which would in turn help bring about more tourists.


In conclusion better English might lead into more tourists and more tourist would lead to an even better economy.

Household debt : financial crisis which requires government action




Economic growth and household consumption are being limited by household debt. According to National Statistical Office, High household debt is a long-standing issue in Thailand that has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the near future, despite the fact that household income gradually recover by economic activity, it is anticipated that the heavy debt load would persist in hindering the economy. This is due to the fact that households could not spend all of their money since they must pay off their current debt before using their higher income.

In my opinion, we might not find the most effective ways to solve this long term problem but at least we can do something to ease the difficulties due to this debt problem. According to my research, there are some processes which would help in this situation. However, the most important one for short term solution is that the government help debtors gradually adjust and escape from their current debt problems by paying their old debt to allow small debtors to have debt obligations that must be paid each month in line with changing income. Nevertheless, in order to subside and solve the problem in long term, it would require cooperation from both civilian and government.

Reference : https://www.bot.or.th/th/research-and-publications/articles-and-publications/articles/Article_1Jan2022_2.html

Posted by 6405534 Kamanuch Suwan

Education inequality - The state school teachers’ dilemma


In 2021, Thailand’s Ministry received the largest budget of any ministry but has produced disappointing results. Thai students’ academic performance has scored very low in international evaluations for several consecutive years. According to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020, Thailand was placed 55th out of 63 countries. In the EF English Proficiency test, organized by Education First in 2019, Thailand was placed 74th out of 100 countries. The big crisis in our education system is the inequality in education between students in the big cities and the students in rural areas. When these two groups of children are mixed and evaluated, to find the average results, the outcome will remain stable or decline. In my opinion, the quality of education in big cities and in rural areas are definitely different. For example, the schools in big cities has the larger budget so they can provide the students with high technology teaching equipments and tools. On the other hand, having tables and chairs in the classroom in some schools in rural areas are the best thing already. Another example, academic staffs are the most important things for schools. Most teachers might not want to teach in rural area schools because of the very low minimum wage of teachers. Some schools in rural areas gives the teachers only 5,000฿ per month. This is another cause of lacking teachers in schools in rural areas, some schools have only 2 teachers in one school and the teachers have to teach grade 1-12. I think this is one of the big crisis in Thailand that the government should deal with as fast as they can because the education is the foundation of solving other problems.

Reference: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/op-ed-education-inequality-the-state-school-teachers-dilemma/

Nowadays, there is a law that most people consider to be a problem and want it to be amended or repealed the most, namely the Criminal Law, Section 112. Section 112 of the Criminal Code reads: “Whoever defames, insults, or expresses malice towards the King, Queen, Heir to the Throne, or Regent shall be punished with imprisonment from three to fifteen years.” This section has been used against protesters since 2020. In my opinion, Section 112 is the current problematic law. Its problem is:
1)Guidelines for using the law are all mixed up. It does not clearly separate the bases of guilt between defamation and vengeance
2)It is a high penalty of 3-15 years, a penalty rate that is too high.
3)Anyone can sue  which may lead to bullying. For example, the case of the older brother reporting the arrest of the younger brother which resulted in the younger brother being in prison for more than a year even though he was innocent.
4)It may block the exercise of freedom of expression.
In my opinion, we will amend this law to adjust it according to the times and as appropriate to the conditions of society.

Reference: https://themomentum.co/article-112-power-corrupt/