Nakhon Ratchasima Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Ready or Not? Conditions for Readiness of Sukhothai Province to Become a Self-Governing Province

2025-06-02T16:54:26+07:00

The independent study titled “Ready or Not? Preconditions for Sukhothai Province’s Readiness for Self-Governance” aims to examine the extent to which Sukhothai Province is prepared to establish itself as a self-governing administrative unit. The primary objective is to analyze the essential and sufficient preconditions for achieving self-governance at the provincial level. This is accomplished by comparing the current situation in Sukhothai with that of a “best-case” province—one that has already demonstrated a successful transition toward self-administration. The research employs documentary research as its main methodology, collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources including books, academic articles, theses, research reports, television programs, video documentaries, and other relevant documents. These sources cover both domestic and international cases related to decentralization and the formation of self-governing provinces. The aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the contextual factors, structural requirements, and policy implications necessary for provincial autonomy.

Findings from the study indicate that the preconditions for becoming a self-governing province can be categorized into two types: necessary conditions and sufficient conditions. The necessary conditions consist of three main elements: (1) a governance structure or administrative framework that supports the decentralization of authority from the central government to local entities; (2) appropriate budget allocation from the central government, along with financial support for local administrative organizations; and (3) an independent system of personnel administration that operates free from central government control. The sufficient conditions also consist of three factors: (1) a relatively dense population with urban characteristics and active civic participation in local governance; (2) the availability of natural, economic, or cultural resources that can support economic growth and promote tourism; and (3) adequate provincial revenue, a sound economic structure, and the presence of well-developed infrastructure and public utilities. This study not only offers a detailed assessment of Sukhothai’s readiness for self-governance but also provides a framework that can inform policymaking in the area of decentralization. It highlights both the progress and the gaps that need to be addressed in order for Sukhothai Province to fully realize the potential of autonomous administration. Ultimately, the findings may serve as a guide for government agencies and stakeholders seeking to promote effective and sustainable local governance in Thailand.

Public Participation In Local Development: Ban Lung Community, Sachorakhe Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

2025-05-31T12:25:30+07:00

This study aims to: (1) examine the level of public participation in local development within the context of Ban Lung Community, Sachorakhe Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; (2) identify factors associated with public participation in local development within the same community; and (3) propose strategies to enhance public participation in local development. The study adopts a quantitative research methodology. The target population for the study was determined based on the following criteria: (1) individuals residing in Ban Lung Community, Sachorakhe Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; (2) individuals aged between 30 and 60 years; and (3) individuals holding community positions such as village headmen, assistant village headmen, assistant village headmen for security affairs, presidents and members of village health volunteer groups, community volunteers, caregivers, members of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) Council, subdistrict agricultural extension officers (soil doctors), members of the Village Fund, women’s groups, civil defense volunteers, and public school teachers.

The research instrument used was a questionnaire developed by the research team, comprising three sections: Section 1 – general demographic information of the respondents; Section 2 – questions related to participatory communication; and Section 3 – questions related to public participation in local development. Data collection was conducted from February to August 2024. Data analysis was performed using statistical software designed for public administration research, applying frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). Research Findings

The overall level of public participation in local development in Ban Lung Community was found to be high (M = 4.17, S.D. = 0.68). When disaggregated by dimensions, the highest mean score was found in cooperation-building (M = 4.29, S.D. = 0.68), followed by empowerment of the public (M = 4.18, S.D. = 0.70), information dissemination (M = 4.17, S.D. = 0.80), consultation (M = 4.12, S.D. = 0.79), and participatory engagement (M = 4.10, S.D. = 0.77), respectively.
The factor of participatory communication was found to be significantly correlated with public participation in local development (r = 0.830), at the 0.01 level of statistical significance. When analyzed by dimension, the following correlations were identified: Sender: r = 0.796, Message content: r = 0.845, Communication channels: r = 0.838, Receiver: r = 0.876. These results indicate that all components of the communication process contribute meaningfully to the enhancement of public participation in local development.
Based on the findings, the research proposes strategic recommendations to enhance public participation in local development in Ban Lung Community, comprising: (1) strengthening the role of the sender; (2) improving the clarity and relevance of the message content; (3) diversifying and optimizing communication channels; and (4) promoting active engagement among receivers in the communication process.

These findings reinforce the significance of participatory communication as a vital mechanism for promoting civic engagement in local development efforts and ensuring inclusive governance at the community level.

The Effectiveness of the Universal Health Coverage Policy: A Case Study of Don Phatthana Village, Dong I Chan Subdistrict, Non Suwan District, Buriram Province

2025-06-26T12:18:42+07:00

This research aimed to: (1) examine the level of effectiveness of the Universal Health Coverage policy in Don Phatthana Village, Dong I Chan Subdistrict, Non Suwan District, Buriram Province; (2) investigate the factors related to the effectiveness of the Universal Health Coverage policy in the same area; and (3) propose guidelines to enhance the policy's effectiveness. This study employed a quantitative research methodology. The target population consisted of households residing in Don Phatthana Village. The respondents included heads of households, household representatives, or legally competent family members capable of providing information. The research instrument was a questionnaire developed by the researchers, divided into three sections: Part 1 – general demographic information of the respondents; Part 2 – questions regarding participation factors; and Part 3 – questions on the effectiveness of the Universal Health Coverage policy. Data were collected from February to August 2024 and analyzed using statistical software for social science research. The analysis involved frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient (r). The results as follows: 1) The overall effectiveness of the Universal Health Coverage policy was at a high level (𝑥̅ = 4.53, S.D. = 0.40). When examining individual aspects, all dimensions showed high levels. The highest mean was found in project risk (𝑥̅ = 4.51, S.D. = 0.50), followed by satisfaction (𝑥̅ = 4.51, S.D. = 0.44), and participation (𝑥̅ = 4.51, S.D. = 0.42). 2) The factor significantly related to policy effectiveness was public participation, which included four sub-dimensions: participation in decision-making, operational participation, benefit participation, and evaluation participation. These were statistically correlated with the policy’s effectiveness at the 0.01 level, with an overall correlation coefficient of 0.703. Specifically, the correlation coefficients were as follows: participation in decision-making (r = 0.516), operational participation (r = 0.499), benefit participation (r = 0.603), and evaluation participation (r = 0.703). These results supported the proposed hypotheses. 3) The proposed guidelines for enhancing policy effectiveness include: promoting participation in decision-making, operations, benefit sharing, and evaluation.

An Analysis of Translation Strategies for Thai Food and Beverage Names into Chinese: A Case Study in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

2025-06-06T11:35:12+07:00

The research aims to analyze the translation strategies of Thai food and beverage names in the menus of restaurants and beverage shops into Chinese in Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang and Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and to improve and correct the incorrect and difficult-to-understand translation of Thai food and beverage names into Chinese in Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang and Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The names of Thai food and beverages in Chinese were classified according to the translation strategies of Saibua (2017), divided into 2 types: 1. Direct translation strategy 2. Interpretation translation strategy. There were 412 menus, divided into 2 types: 315 savory dishes and 10 sweet dishes. The savory dishes were divided into 4 types as follows: 79 fried and grilled dishes, 63 boiled, curry, and steamed dishes, 102 stir-fried dishes, 71 spicy salad, larb dishes, and 87 beverage dishes.

After collecting the data, the researcher analyzed the meaning and classified the names of the food and beverages. In addition, it was revised according to the two translation strategies mentioned above.

The researcher concluded the research results by calculating the percentage of the collected and analyzed results and categorizing the types of Thai food and beverage names translated into Chinese according to the two translation strategies. The analysis results found that out of the 412 Thai food and beverage names translated into Chinese, the most commonly used translation strategies were 81 percent, followed by the cognitive translation strategy at 19 percent.

The Power of Resilience in 21st-Century Education: How Growth Mindset and Mental Well-being Support Teachers and Students

2025-05-30T11:06:11+07:00

In the evolving landscape of 21st-century education, resilience has emerged as a critical factor in ensuring both academic success and emotional well-being for teachers and students. This paper examines the interconnection between resilience, growth mindset, and mental well-being, emphasizing their collective role in fostering adaptability, perseverance, and self-efficacy. A growth mindset as conceptualized that empowers individuals to view challenges as opportunities for development, increasing motivation and long-term achievement. Simultaneously, mental well-being serves as a foundation for emotional regulation and stress management, essential for sustaining engagement in learning and teaching. Teacher resilience is crucial for preventing burnout, maintaining instructional effectiveness, and fostering a positive learning environment, while student resilience equips learners with problem-solving skills and emotional stability, allowing them to cope with setbacks and persist through adversity. By implementing resilience-building strategies, such as social-emotional learning, psychological support systems, and inclusive school cultures. The educational institutions can create a foundation for sustainable, future-ready learning environments. This paper underscores the necessity of prioritizing resilience through a holistic approach, demonstrating how its integration into education not only strengthens individual success but also enhances the adaptability and sustainability of modern educational systems in an increasingly complex world.