Journal of Kwan Phayao

INTEGRATING THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL CHATGPT TO ENHANCE PARTICIPATORY LEARNING IN COMPUTER PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTION

Buaphan Khamchalor — 2025-08-31

This study is a quasi-experimental research using a two-group pretest-posttest design. The objective was to examine the knowledge and skills in computer programming among students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program, majoring in Business Computer. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the students' satisfaction with computer programming. The participants were 34 second-year students from the Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Computer program at an educational institution., each consisting of 17 students. Data were collected using a knowledge assessment form with a reliability coefficient of 0.86, and an evaluation form whose content validity was verified by the researcher, with a content validity index ranging from 0.67 to 1.00 and a reliability coefficient of 0.77, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and independent t-test.

The results revealed that after the experiment, the experimental group had a significantly lower mean knowledge score (Mean = 42.35, SD + 10.16) than the control group (Mean = 48.94, + 6.39), with statistical significance at the 0.05 level (p = .03). However, the experimental group had a significantly higher mean programming skill score (Mean = 67.82, + 5.16) compared to the control group (Mean = 48.64, SD + 6.37), with statistical significance at the 0.05 level (p < .001)

THE ROLE OF ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS IN DRIVING DIGITAL DEMOCRACY

Phrakhrusangharak Yodsawi Pamuttor — 2025-08-31

This article examines the role of social media networks in driving democracy in the digital era, focusing on the mechanisms and impacts across political, social, and cultural dimensions. Social media platforms serve as a new public sphere where citizens can exchange opinions, monitor state power, mobilize resources for political movements, and cultivate strong digital citizenship. The positive impacts include enhancing political participation, broadening information access, and promoting transparency and accountability. However, negative impacts emerge, such as the spread of fake news, political polarization, and domination by the state or powerful corporations. Case studies from Thailand, the Arab Spring, and the Hong Kong Protests demonstrate that while social media networks possess transformative potential for democracy, outcomes largely depend on political structures and levels of state control in each context. The article proposes key policy recommendations: establishing mechanisms to safeguard digital rights, strengthening media literacy, developing balanced legal frameworks, and fostering cooperation among the state, private sector, and civil society. These strategies aim to ensure that social media networks serve as a constructive force in promoting sustainable democracy.

THE POWER OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN CONTEMPORARY THAI SOCIETY

Phramahapaitool Siridhammo Chaikung — 2025-08-31

This article analyzes the role and power of social media networks in shaping political participation in contemporary Thai society, employing the theoretical frameworks of political participation, Habermas’ public sphere, and new media and digital democracy. The findings indicate that social media has significantly transformed Thailand’s political landscape from offline to digital participation, enabling citizens—particularly youth and students—to play a more active role through platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Political hashtag activism, exemplified by #เยาวชนปลดแอก (#FreeYouth) and #saveบางกลอย (#SaveBangKloi), not only amplified domestic issues but also connected them to international political discourse. The emergence of “networked citizenship” further illustrates how digital citizens generate new political narratives and set public agendas, thereby fostering participatory democracy in Thailand. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including misinformation, fake news, social polarization, and state-imposed restrictions, which continue to limit the full development of digital democracy in the Thai context.