Online Discussion #3: Current Issues in Thailand

Public healthcare system facing doctor shortage, workload concerns

A lack of medical workers, particularly physicians, has resulted in overworked staff at several hospitals. Nowadays, Thai doctors are still required to work overtime, especially working more than 120 hours each week, under current standards. This has resulted in a brain drain. All of the doctors have deserted the government hospital system. So, there are fewer physicians and The task is still difficult.

According to the research, each medical professional undergoes over 13 years of training to become a specialist in that field. About 2,000 doctors were recruited into the government health service each year, and about 10% later resigned to pursue further studies. On the other hand, there are 40% of doctors leaving the Ministry of Health per year. Moreover, the ratio of doctors per population, excluding doctors in education, was 1 per 3,626. The proportion of doctors in Bangkok is 1 per 548, but some provinces, such as Isan, may reach 1 per 3,500.

Therefore, the problem of overwork in the public healthcare system was the most difficult to solve, mainly due to the shortage of personnel. However, the government should look closely at the physician shortage and the reasons for staff overload in order to enhance circumstances for those participating in the country's healthcare system, including ensuring they have a decent work-life balance in the future.

Reference:
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40028332
https://web.facebook.com/thaimedcouncil/photos/a.1532175813713985/2108315559433338/?type=3&locale=th_TH&_rdc=1&_rdr

In my opinion, According to www-unhcr-org/th/en/37927-tackling-school-dropouts-to-secure-a-better-future-for-refugee-children-in-thailand-html. refugees contribute to inequality due to their limited access to resources like education and healthcare, economic disparities leading to lower incomes, difficulties in social integration, lack of legal and political rights. These challenges widen the gap between refugees and the host population.

Refugees in Thailand bring along a range of complex social issues. These challenges cover various issues like limited resources, competition for jobs, legal and security problems, cultural differences, and worries about the well-being of everyone involved. When refugees arrive, it puts extra pressure on resources that were already in short supply, making it harder for both locals and refugees to access important things like healthcare, education, and other essential services. In some areas, having more refugees can mean fewer jobs available and lower wages for everyone because more people are competing for work. Areas where refugees settle can become crowded, lacking enough homes and services for everyone. Living without legal authorization to work, these individuals are in a state of uncertainty.These factors increase impact between refugees and host societies, resulting in social, economic, and legal inequalities that remain unsolved and could cause long-term challenges in Thailand.
Reference : www-unhcr-org/th/en/37927-tackling-school-dropouts-to-secure-a-better-future-for-refugee-children-in-thailand-html.

Aging Society In Thailand


        In Thailand, a big issue we're seeing is the shift towards an aging society. Recent reports tell us that Thailand has officially become an aging society and is predicted to be "super aging" by 2036. This shift is due to fewer births and a situation where there are more retirees (60-64 years old) than young people entering the workforce (20-24 years old). This change might lead to a smaller workforce in the future, which could mean less productivity and a drop in the country's GDP. To prevent this, the government needs a solid plan.
        Having fewer people in the workforce can cause significant problems for our society and social security systems. In the coming years, there might be more pressure on younger workers to contribute more to social security, and this could strain the system. There's also a risk that social security might struggle to pay retirement benefits because of a lack of funds and a growing number of retirees. To tackle these challenges and keep the country's economy and society in good shape, the government needs to take thoughtful and strategic actions.

Ref:(https)://(www).nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40029274

Thailand is a worldwide well-known place for prostitution despite being illegal. This industry contributes quite a lot to the economy but none of that was recognized in the economic system of the country. Instead of being recognized as a labor, sex workers in Thailand are treated as criminals, labor rights and welfare benefits are not accessible for them. They are not protected from sexual violence and abuse that may happen. Many of them are forced to work long hours and paid very low wages. In addition, some of them were trafficked and not voluntary to become a sex worker. Another important point is that by the nature of their profession, they are heavily exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, without proper knowledge and protection, they are easily infected by sexual contacts.

Regardless of being illegal, the number of sex workers that have been arrested is very small. This implies that there is corruption involved. However, the legal framework governing prostitution needs to be reformed. The sex worker should be treated as a worker,  receive a proper welfare benefits and protected against sexual abuse and health complications.

References:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2349673/thailand-should-legalise-prostitution
https://isaanlawyers.com/the-sex-trade-in-thailand-the-effects-on-workers-and-the-laws-surrounding-it/

Teachers' residence is not suitable for living and is not safe



Unsafe Teachers' residence: The teachers' residence is not adequately maintained. There is overgrown grass, and the path into the teachers' residence is quite lonely, causing insecurity and possibly causing an incident of sexual abuse. There was news that the teachers' residence was broken into, and ransacked, and things inside the house were destroyed. The perpetrator could not be caught because there were no closed-circuit cameras. 
Problem of sexual abuse cases: There is news of sexual abuse of female students in teachers' residences, making it necessary to prosecute to provide justice to the victims. The case was separated into two charges: sexually assaulting a child under 15 years of age and taking a child under 15 years of age away from his or her parents. The route to enter the teacher's residence is quite lonely, overgrown with grass, and is almost 1 kilometer from the front of the school.

In my opinion, I think we should take the issue of teacher housing seriously. The budget should be allocated to teachers' residences to ensure the safe living of teachers, as they are personnel who educate Thai youth. If teachers do not receive good and unsafe treatment, their teaching efficiency will decrease, which will also show inequality. If you have your own money, you can use it to renovate your house or choose to drive from home to school. If any teacher does not have the ability to renovate, they must stay in an unsafe place. life and property risks, as well as sexual harassment risks. When this situation occurs, the perpetrator cannot be caught because he has not installed a safety camera and is still in a remote area far from the school and the community.

References :
https://thethaiger.com/th/news/1008189/
https://www.matichon.co.th/social/news_4174063
https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/292326

In Thailand, there are over 60 ethnic groups, comprising approximately 6.1 million people. Despite cultural and traditional differences, many face common challenges, including forced displacement, denial of cultural expression, physical harm, and discrimination. Historically, ethnic groups have often been marginalized, facing discrimination and violence, leading to a life at risk of brutality and violations. Attempts to preserve cultural identity and ancestral land often result in accusations of rebellion or subversion. The struggle is evident in cases like #SaveBangkloi, where the indigenous Karen people resisted eviction from their ancestral lands. Despite previous government resolutions granting cultural rights, the 2014 coup led to renewed attempts to displace them.

On August 9th, in celebration of World Indigenous Peoples Day, representatives from the Move Forward Party submitted a draft law aimed at promoting and protecting ethnic and indigenous groups for consideration by the parliament. This legislation is part of a broader set of legal reforms addressing decentralization, anti-corruption, and embracing diversity to ensure rights protection and tackle the complex issues faced by ethnic communities.

To summarize, even though Thailand has the law that protects ethnic for many years, there are still some issues and the acts of protection these ethnic groups from government is not enough. Therefore, I hope that in the future, with the law submitted by the MF Party will provide better quality of life for all ethnic groups in Thailand and reduce the ethnic inequality.

Posted by: 6405575 Supisara Preechasawad
Reference: https://www.the101.world/manop-keereepuwadol-interview/

One crucial challenge requiring urgent attention in Thailand is the education system because education, as fundamental knowledge, should be easily accessible to all. There are many issues in education As follows:

Contract Teaching and Resource Allocation:
Thailand's education system faces challenges due to bureaucratic delays forcing schools to hire contract teachers. Unpredictable student enrollments lead to compromised education quality, contributing to a growing issue of teacher debt.

Failed Initiatives and Bureaucratic Hurdles:
Frequent changes in Education Ministers create inconsistency, making it hard to have a steady plan. The Ministry of Education also struggles with bureaucratic issues in giving out resources, hindering progress in addressing deeper problems. Simplifying solutions is crucial for improving the education system.

Underfunded and Unequal Distribution:
Political reluctance hampers the mobilization of resources under Chapter 8, perpetuating underfunding in education. Unpopular funding mechanisms contribute to disparities in public spending, exacerbating educational inequalities across regions.

Teacher Shortages and Qualification Challenges:
Thailand grapples with teacher shortages intensified by tougher standards, attrition, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 400,000 teachers, only 280,000 are considered professional-level, and stringent qualifying exams result in thousands of vacant teaching positions annually.

Debt Crisis Among Teachers:
Teachers in Thailand contend with lower-than-average salaries and significant consumer debt. Over 900,000 teachers collectively owe more than 1.4 trillion baht. While Ministry initiatives, such as cooperatives and interest rate restructuring, aim to address the debt crisis, systemic issues related to income inequality persist.

In my opinion, I understand that the education challenges in Thailand stem from various factors, with the primary issue seeming to be ineffective government management. While the government holds the authority to address the education system, it encounters challenges in its administration.


Source: https://theisaanrecord.co/2022/03/30/thai-education-beset-by-poor-management/

One problem in the issues presented is the potential inefficacy of the welfare card scheme in addressing poverty and improving overall living standards in Thailand

Problem: Ineffectiveness of the Welfare Card Scheme in Poverty Alleviation

1.Rising Poverty Levels:An analysis of the trends in the number of people living below the poverty line over the years would be crucial. If the poverty rate has increased despite the existence of the welfare card scheme, it indicates that the current approach may not be effectively addressing the root causes of poverty.

2.Financial Allocation and Opportunity Cost: The financial allocation to the welfare card scheme, coupled with an analysis of potential areas where these funds could have been directed, would provide insights into the opportunity cost. This data would substantiate concerns about the scheme's impact on other essential subsidies or public goods.

3.Lack of Progressive Policies:The absence of progressive welfare policies is identified as a critical problem. The focus on neediness rather than rights to basic services raises concerns about the government's approach.

Addressing these issues requires a thorough evaluation of the scheme's impact on poverty, a breakdown of financial allocations, and a comparison with historical welfare policies to determine the effectiveness of the current approach.

Reference : https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-needs-welfare-schemes-based-on-rights-not-charity-experts-say/

Natnaree Tantivejakul 6405607

The Thailand Fiscal Policy Officer has announced a reduction in land tax policies during the pandemic.


The tax law was introduced to address the damage across various industries caused by the pandemic.

   Effective from March 19, 2023, the policy applies to land and buildings, including farmland, residential areas, commercial land, and vacant land. Land with a 50% tax cut will receive an additional 15% discount. However, lands already benefiting from a 90% tax cut, implemented to address pandemic-related losses over a three-year period, will not receive the extra discount.
   
   Consequently, the Fiscal Policy Officer (FPO) reported a fiscal burden of approximately 30 billion baht in losses due to the tax reduction.

   While the tax reduction is a method to boost the economy through fiscal policy, aiming to increase the country's overall output (Y) by raising household disposable income, it poses challenges. On one hand, it may improve short-term financial sustainability, but on the other hand, it will lead to a decrease in the government budget derived from taxes. This could result in enhanced financial sustainability in the short term but potentially lower the overall public quality of life for Thai people, as less government funding is available for public facilities.

In my Opinion, the lower in this tax rate could also increase the buying demand of land and property which will result in a higher price of land to response the increase of demand. So, this will end up in higher cost of living i.e. people needs more money to start business that require land so they will need to increase price of products to cover their initial cost.

    In conclusion, the reduction in tax rate is not a bad idea for mitigating losses occurring from the pandemic, but this should also come together with other plan to deal with losses from it.

Summarized by: Suchanont Petcharat 6405582
Reference: https://www.bangkokpost.com/property/2532541/new-tax-reduction-for-land-and-buildings-comes-into-effect

Green Economy



The economy over the past decade has grown rapidly. Due to the development of medical technology coupled with the increase in the population like never before. From the original to increase the population by 1 billion people, it will take up to 100 years. But now, it only takes 12 years. It leads to the increasing demand in food, energy and housing. Therefore, it cause the following problems:

1.The current resource is used enormously. Thus, the number of resources is reduced and it may cause scarcity.
2.The emission of a lot of waste causes air pollution. The obvious result is PM2.5 that has a lot of impact on the people. Until there are many agencies that realize and see the importance of dealing with such problems.

Therefore, there’s a concept of "Green Economy", it is an economy that causes the least impact on the environment by using some technologies or innovations that can be economical. It will take into account the sustainability of the environment, using resources appropriately, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and distributing wealth thoroughly. As a result, it is an economy that all countries must take as guidelines for development.

References:
https://www.bcg.in.th/data-center/articles/green-economy/
https://www.thansettakij.com/business/377748

In Thailand, people do not pay enough attention to mental health. Many think that having mental health problems means you are not strong. People believe that mental issues come from not being able to get over simple sadness. But, the truth is, those going through just don't talk about their feelings. They prefer dealing with everything on their own. However, keeping negative feelings inside for too long can lead to anxiety or even depression.

According to New Mandala, people prefer traditional cures and don't see psychology as a proper job. Complicated rules for psychologists, not many chances for further education, and a tough process to get licensed all make it hard to have enough psychologists. This shortage of psychologists affects society by making it less productive and leaving a gap in mental health care.

Therefore, financial resources and government commitment are needed to close the access gap for mental healthcare.

References:
https://www.pacificprime.co.th/blog/state-of-mental-health-in-thailand/
https://www.newmandala.org/mental-health-as-public-health-in-thailand/

According to https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/138252#,the article states that government officials' families, on average, carry a debt ratio of 83.2%. General officials have the highest debt ratio (86.3%), followed by professional and support staff (83.4%, 65.5%). Administrative officials have the lowest ratio (31.9%). Debt tends to rise with higher positions; administrative officials have the highest average debt (1,511,645 Baht), while general officials have the lowest (996,931 Baht).Primary reasons for family indebtedness among officials are housing (54.7%), vehicle-related expenses (16.5%), consumer spending (15.4%), family business investment (5.9%), and education (3.6%)
                                                  
In my opinion, government officers being in debt is causing a decrease in consumption because they have no purchasing power, which, in turn, will affect the economic. Additionally, it might result in external debt, and it could lead to unfair interest rates. This could have long-term effects, as government officers may remain in debt until retirement.

On November 28, 2023, the Cabinet approved a 10% increase in the salaries of civil servants and state officials over the next 2 years. Those with a bachelor's degree will have a minimum salary of 18,000 Baht, while those with a vocational certificate (PVCh) will have a minimum of 11,000 Baht. This adjustment also includes a cost-of-living allowance, with an estimated budget of 7.2 billion Baht in the first year. The implementation will commence in May 2024

In conclusion, increasing salaries for government officers will not only boost government spending but also enhance their purchasing power. Additionally, addressing this issue can prevent future debt problems

Reference: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/138252#
Image reference: https://board.postjung.com/1455574

Posted by Benchaya Boonrit Student id: 6405615

An aging society is a big challenge for Thailand, as it means there are more older people compared to younger ones. This is the outcome of fewer infants being born and people surviving longer as a result of better healthcare. Thailand faces economic challenges as its population ages, with a shrinking workforce and higher healthcare and pension costs. By 2040, the elderly will make up over 25% of its population, which could reduce tax revenues and strain public services. It's crucial for Thailand to prepare now for this demographic shift. Thailand must find a method to adapt to these developments, whether it means increasing savings now or finding a mechanism to let the elderly stay employed if they so wish. Adapting to an aging population may also mean rethinking retirement, such as raising the age when people stop working, and investing in technology that can help a smaller number of workers be more productive. Moreover, encouraging families to have more children and implementing policies that support working parents could help balance the demographic scale.
Ref : Weerasombat, T., Pumipatyothin, P., & Napathorn, C. (2022). Understanding employability in changing labor market contexts: the case of an emerging market economy of Thailand. Sustainability, 14(16), 10436.

A young female teacher teaching at an elementary school in Nakhon Sawan province. She posted the reason about her resignation, which she gave two reasons

1. She said that it's about too much paperwork she had to prepare. She said the paperwork wasted time and money and had nothing to do with teaching.
2. It was regarding the online teaching adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic. She found online learning required cooperation and readiness from students and parents which rarely achieved. She felt she was unable to achieve her teaching objectives and that it was not worth taxpayers' money.

Actually many teachers raised their voice to show the problems, but the government have not acknowledge the problems. They have the assumption that they have to promote the teacher's well-being but they thought that the assumption was wrong since Thai teachers are among the top borrowers with cumulative debts of over 1.4 trillion baht while the quality of education has barely improved based on several assessments and rankings of Thai students' proficiency over the past few years.

The hidden problem is teachers are assessed based on their paperwork not their students’ academic proficiency.

In my opinion, this problem have a huge hidden problems which the main are the structure system of education that forced teachers to do things that not related  to their teaching potential. And another one is the government lacks seriousness which leads to the country's education quality will never improve.

Ref : https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2215387/education-system-failing

On July 24, 2023, a report from the CP-Meiji Co., Ltd. Thailand Facebook posted a message: Due to the ongoing raw milk shortage situation, the dairy cows are entering their milking break. Therefore, the quantity of pasteurized fresh milk products is limited, and the company will try to source raw milk to produce products with all the abilities they have.

Upon further research, it was discovered that there was a shortage of raw milk in the market because dairy farmers were entering the milking break. In addition, it was found that dairy farmers gradually stopped raising dairy cows, due to the rising cost of raising them. The price of animal feed is more expensive, making it impossible to bear the costs.

The dairy and milk products committee solved the problem by adjusting the average price for purchasing raw milk and cow milk to be in line with the cost situation. Prepare a quotation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. It must be brought to the Cabinet meeting for urgent consideration.  
Based on the situation above may cause an increase in the price of raw milk which affects both dairy producers and consumers.

In the field of dairy production operators may resort to relying on imported dairy products which have a cheaper cost. Although the price of dairy products abroad is high, it was helped by a free trade agreement that reduced tariffs on imported milk. It is expected that this may affect the problem of oversupply of raw milk in the country in the future, reaching a point where the cost of producing raw milk using imported dairy products is cheaper than the price of domestic raw milk.

SMEs who require milk as a main raw material will raise the price to be unable to keep the price. This affects ordinary people have to spend more money opposite the minimum wage since dairy products or those involved with dairy products raise the price.

Leading in the long run may cause the inflation much more in our country (Thailand).

Reference:
https://www.msn.com/th-th/money/news/
https://positioningmag.com/

Education issue

In my opinion, the biggest problem that we are facing is the inefficient political for the entire system. The root cause of this problem is that they are trying to hard to win people’s heart and many time, I often seen them indicating the extreme stance towards one side. And that what make society is divided in to two or more groups.

The worse Thing is that whenever these inefficient politicians launch their policy, they always represent it in the way to gain votes from the people of their side, but it doesn't result in genuine benefits for all parties involved.  For example, some policy might not really efficient for the budget long term but still need to be done just because the expectation of the supporter of their side, some suggestion to the existing problem is not being spoken out straightforwardly in the way to show what the root problem is but will be in the way to build the opinion direction of their supporter to be in one way.

The reason why I need to mention to this problem is because in my opinion the diversity of people in society leads to different goals in developing the country and gives rise to varied perspectives on identifying or overlooking issues that don't align along the same path. People is not looking at the same point, and also the politicians take advantage in this point to benefit only their supporters, earning a living from the voices of the people. This point cause division to become even worse, cause difficulties for the way to improve quality of people life in long term, and so it is the root effect of the difficulties in budget allocation of government to many aspects of the major issue of Thailand.

To end this hateful loop, first, government should invest more on education. I believe that knowledge is what really help improve quality of people and the development of country. Knowledge is what help people to have immune to the influence of these inefficient politicians. Knowledge is the key to the sustainable development of every path. Therefore, Thailand must have to develop education system and in return the outcome of receiving good education will be reciprocated by contributing to the development of the country in every aspect on its own.

Ref: https://urbancreature.co/promoting-tolerance-respect-diversity/

Pan Piyatassakorn 6405617

One of the primary issues surrounding Thailand's social security system's financial sustainability is the impending depletion of the Social Security Fund (SSF). The country's aging population is a major contributing factor to this financial strain. As the number of retirees increases, the demand for benefits grows, while the number of active contributors decreases.

Here are the list of problems and possible scenarios,

- Thailand's population is aging rapidly, with the proportion of people over 60 expected to reach 20% by 2040.
- The number of retirees is projected to increase from 11.2 million in 2020 to 24.2 million in 2040.
- The contribution rate to the SSF is currently set at 20% of an employee's salary, with 5% paid by the employee and 15% paid by the employer.
- The SSF's actuarial projections indicate that the fund could deplete by 2035 if no changes are made to the current system.

The depletion of the SSF would have severe consequences for retirees, who rely on the system for their livelihood. It could lead to reduced benefits, increased waiting times for benefits, or even the collapse of the system of Social Security. Although the Thai government is considering various reform measures, including raising the retirement age, increasing contribution rates, expanding coverage to the informal sector, and enhancing investment strategies.

As a student, in my opinions, the problems of social security may seem far away. However, you can still take steps to prepare for the future by making informed decisions about your finances, proactively planning your retirement, and exploring alternative retirement options. Most importantly, your engagement today can help shape the social security system that will support you tomorrow.

Ref: https://www.unicef.org/thailand/media/9866/file/Sustainable%20Financing%20of%20Social%20Protection%20in%20Thailand.pdf
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2618001/make-social-security-fund-sustainable

Cybercrime is one of the long-term law problems in Thailand. There are also several types of cybercrimes reported in Thailand. Especially through phishing and scams, is a growing concern, with nearly 80% of reported cases attributed to phishing attacks. The country faces significant challenges, such as the freezing of thousands of phone numbers and bank accounts due to cybercrimes, costing billions in damages. Call center gangs to engage in various fraudulent activities, leading to substantial financial losses and affecting individuals through fake goods, job fees, loans, transfer requests, and online investments. The Thai government is responding with measures like the Cybercrime Decree, aiming to combat money laundering and provide legal tools against cyber criminals. Despite these efforts, the impact on people's lives is profound, affecting their financial security, personal information, and overall well-being. As cybercrimes continue to evolve, ongoing measures and public awareness are crucial to safeguarding Thai citizens and businesses from the increasing threats in the digital landscape.

In conclusion, cybercrime poses a significant and ongoing challenge for Thailand. With phishing attacks and other online scams on the rise, individuals and businesses face real threats to their financial well-being and reputation. The government has taken steps, such as the Cybercrime Decree and other cybersecurity laws, to address these issues, but the evolving nature of cyber threats requires continuous efforts. Protecting against cybercrime involves not only legal measures but also individual and corporate responsibility, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity practices. As Thailand navigates the digital landscape, staying vigilant and proactive is key to minimizing the impact of cybercrimes on its people and economy.

References:
https://www.pacificprime.co.th/blog/cybercrime-thailand-trends/
https://www.interriskthai.co.th/cybercrime-in-thailand/

"Zero-Dollar tours" in Thailand are considered a long-term business issue and can be a concern within the tourism industry



According to the article, these tours involve offering exceptionally low-priced or even free packages to tourists, but the actual costs are recuperated through mandatory shopping stops at specific stores where tourists are pressured to make purchases at significantly inflated prices.

In my point of view, one of the biggest issues in the Thai business industry is that Chinese businessmen have come to open travel agencies and related businesses in Thailand. By using the name of a Thai person as an agent or having a Chinese person forge a Thai ID card and open a company as well as a restaurant to serve only Chinese tourists. It will continue to bring many Chinese tourists to travel in Thailand and will reserve hotel accommodations and restaurants for a long period of time. This problem is beginning to affect the tourism business in Thailand, especially in Phuket and Pattaya. A group of Chinese businessmen has reserved hotel accommodations, restaurant for a long time and used the method of negotiation Forced to buy shares or joint ventures in exchange for bringing Chinese tourists to use the service in the long term. Doing this type of business will have a severe impact on Thailand. Because most of the income from this form of business is sent back to China, Thailand receives almost nothing .

Moreover, it causes a negative impact on tourism that can harm Thailand's reputation as a tourist destination, affecting its tourism industry in the long run. Also, Thai people being robbed of their jobs by foreigners, the main tool of the Zero-Dollar tour format is the unregistered tour guide. Including restaurant and store operators who often bring Chinese people to work instead of Thai people.

Therefore, to deal with these tourism business problems, Thai authorities have to take action to combat these issues by implementing stricter regulations and penalties for tour operators engaging in Zero-Dollar tour practices, aiming to protect tourists and ensure fair and ethical tourism practices within the country due to its negative impact on the tourism industry, potential exploitation of tourists, and its contribution to an unbalanced and unsustainable tourism model. The Thai government has to take measures to regulate and discourage this practice to protect both tourists and the tourism industry itself.

Summarized by 6405614 Boonyaporn Tantanakul

References:
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2552350/sounding-the-alarm-on-zero-dollar-tours
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2023/03/29/revival-of-the-zero-dollar-tour-would-cost-thailand-thb-3-trillion/

According to article, Student cheating is a common problem that is not limited to Thai schools. Values such as kindness and patience in Thai society can accidentally encourage dishonest behavior. The idea that "it's okay, just a little bit" and the desire to support friends can cause people to minimize the significance of cheating and be weak in the punishments that educational institutions impose.

It is essential to maintain these ideals while stressing the need of academic integrity. It's important for educators to figure out a balance between ethical behavior and cultural norms. Maintaining academic integrity while respecting cultural values requires the application of strong anti-cheating methods, ethical education promotion, and discussion-instigation strategies.

In my opinion, Cheating on exams presents several issues:

Education: By avoiding the gaining of knowledge and the development of critical thinking skills, cheating affects actual learning and the educational process.

inequity: By giving cheaters an unfair advantage over diligent, honest students, cheating leads to inequity.

Corruption: Academic dishonesty develops a culture of acceptance of unethical behavior, which in turn encourages corruption in educational institutions.

Ability/Labor Skill: Cheating impacts the gaining of true information and skills, which affects a person's readiness for obstacles they may face in the workplace in the future.

Labor Force: Because of a lack of true skills and knowledge among individuals, cheating has an impact on the quality of the future workforce, which could reduce productivity and innovation.

Here are some solution to solve the problem:

Promote Integrity:
-Educate students about the importance of honesty in academics.
-Enforce clear and strict integrity policies.

Fair Assessment:
-Use diverse assessment methods focusing on understanding rather than memorization.
-Implement open-book exams and project-based assessments.

Ethics Education:
-Include ethics education in the curriculum.
-Encourage discussions on ethical dilemmas.

Support and Guidance:
-Provide academic support to struggling students.
-Establish mentorship programs.

Reference: http://www.anticorruption.in.th/2016/th/detail/632/4/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%20:%20%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87

Personal Income Tax in Thailand



The challenges associated with the computation and payment of personal income tax in Thailand contribute to issues of tax avoidance and evasion among taxpayers.

In my opinion the tax unfairness has the most significant positive impact on the likelihood of tax avoidance, followed by inadequate tax allowances that fail to cover tax expenses and the complexity of tax calculations. Additionally, the personal income tax rate emerges as the primary factor influencing the likelihood of tax evasion, with other factors including the lack of assistance from Revenue Department staff and tax unfairness. and the fact that most Thai people still lack knowledge about taxes is because in Thailand the government does not provide teaching on this subject to youth.

Ref. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thailand-to-tax-all-income-earned-abroad-starting-next-year/
https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/trujournal/article/view/263168

Surayut Intachai 6405811

How far should interest rate hikes go?



One problem that may arise is increased borrowing costs for businesses and individuals. This news will implicate how the higher interest rate will help to reduce the inflation. However, higher interest rates make it more expensive for businesses to finance their operations and for individuals to borrow for mortgages, cars, or other personal needs.

In my opinion, these are the impact in the different sector and customer behavior in Thailand.

Business Impact
Increased Debt Servicing Costs: Higher interest rates mean that businesses with existing loans or those seeking new financing will face higher debt servicing costs. This can reduce profitability and potentially lead to financial distress, particularly for highly leveraged firms.
Reduced Investment
High borrowing costs can discourage businesses from making new investments or expanding their operations. This, in turn, can slow down economic growth.
Consumer Impact
Higher Mortgage Rates: Individuals with variable-rate mortgages or those seeking new mortgages will face higher interest payments. This can reduce consumers' purchasing power and impact the housing market.
Reduced Consumer Spending
Higher borrowing costs may lead to decreased consumer spending as individuals cut back on discretionary purchases due to increased debt obligations.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2327178/how-far-should-interest-rate-hikes-go-

THAILAND’S CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS IN 2022 IMPROVED IN GLOBAL CORRUPTION SURVEY





Its rank has jumped up nine places on the ladder from 110th to 101st but with only one more score acquired.
Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Niwatchai Kasemmongkol revealed the fresh result of the global corruption perceptions assessment by the Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) yesterday. Its 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has shown the improved rank and overall score of the country as the rank has jumped from 110th to 101st this year and the score was recorded at 36, increasing one score from 35 recorded in 2021.

In my opinion: Corruption in Thailand is a big problem that affects many parts of life and government. It causes resources to be used wrongly, slows down economic growth, and makes doing business more expensive. This can turn away investors and innovation. The World Bank says corruption can slow down a country's economy, and Transparency International's index shows Thailand has a serious corruption problem. This affects how much people trust the government and can hurt social unity and democracy. To fix this, Thailand needs to change laws, be more transparent, and make sure government actions are more accountable.


Ref: https://bkktribune.com/thailands-corruption-perceptions-in-2022-improved-in-global-corruption-survey/#:~:text=Its%202022%20Corruption%20Perceptions%20Index,from%2035%20recorded%20in%202021.

Written by - Thanphisit Thiprat (6405610)

According to the article, Thailand had been ranked as 101st country from all 113 countries and 8th from ASEAN region reported by Language Institute EF in 2023 which considered as a very-low country of English proficiency with score of 416

So the problem in my opinion is caused by too-much concern in grammar.

The article mentioned that Thai education system prioritized and concentrated grammar lesson so that's why most of Thai students are very good on grammar but still lacking of active communication (means that they can't speak or listen in English really well)

And from my experience as a Thai student, I totally agree with the problem that Thai students focus too much on grammar because it's the majority of English exam. Furthermore, Asian family also prioritize about their child's grade which affect to their offspring to put most of the effort on grade more than real life application.

Hence, one of the solution from my point of view is to make the environment of active learning (speaking and listening) class as friendly as possible. Contributing the one-to-one talking session between teacher and student, to catch up the learning progress, and student and student, to provide much more confidence and opportunities for speaking in English.

Reference:
1. https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/really-easy/2693068/thailand-ranked-very-low-in-english-proficiency
2. https://thethaiger.com/news/world/six-reasons-thailands-english-skills-are-the-lowest-in-se-asia