Early childhood curriculum in Thailand: An investigation into perceptions of the cultivation of Thainess in young children

<p>In 2003, the Thai Government introduced a revised early childhood curriculum to replace the 1997 Pre-Primary Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1997a). This was in response to social and economic changes in Thailand such as both parents working, increasing cultural diversity, and influences from other countries (Ministry of Education, 2003b; Renard, 2006). According to the Ministry of Education, these changes had a negative impact on the cultivation of Thainess and citizenship in a changing society. The 2003 Early Childhood Curriculum (2003-2017) provides a framework and specific guidelines for early childhood education and care for children from birth to 5 years of age (Ministry of Education, 2003b). This study investigates how early childhood services addressed young children’s learning of Thai culture and identity when the early childhood services implemented the official curriculum. The investigation explored how services perceived the role of the government in supporting the cultivation of Thainess with young children. Parents’ perceptions of their participation in promoting Thainess with their children is also addressed. The research design included a survey and a multiple case study, both carried out in two districts of central Bangkok: Klongtoey and Wattana. The survey received 235 responses while the multiple case study involved eight services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with principals, head teachers, early childhood teachers, and parents. Document analysis was also used. Findings revealed that the majority of the services integrated various aspects of Thai culture and identity into their daily programme despite the 2003 Early Childhood Curriculum not providing specific guidelines in this area. However, government regulations were key in promoting Thainess through young children’s participation in cultural activities and practices when attending early childhood services.</p>

Early childhood curriculum in Thailand: An investigation into perceptions of the cultivation of Thainess in young children

<p>In 2003, the Thai Government introduced a revised early childhood curriculum to replace the 1997 Pre-Primary Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1997a). This was in response to social and economic changes in Thailand such as both parents working, increasing cultural diversity, and influences from other countries (Ministry of Education, 2003b; Renard, 2006). According to the Ministry of Education, these changes had a negative impact on the cultivation of Thainess and citizenship in a changing society. The 2003 Early Childhood Curriculum (2003-2017) provides a framework and specific guidelines for early childhood education and care for children from birth to 5 years of age (Ministry of Education, 2003b). This study investigates how early childhood services addressed young children’s learning of Thai culture and identity when the early childhood services implemented the official curriculum. The investigation explored how services perceived the role of the government in supporting the cultivation of Thainess with young children. Parents’ perceptions of their participation in promoting Thainess with their children is also addressed. The research design included a survey and a multiple case study, both carried out in two districts of central Bangkok: Klongtoey and Wattana. The survey received 235 responses while the multiple case study involved eight services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with principals, head teachers, early childhood teachers, and parents. Document analysis was also used. Findings revealed that the majority of the services integrated various aspects of Thai culture and identity into their daily programme despite the 2003 Early Childhood Curriculum not providing specific guidelines in this area. However, government regulations were key in promoting Thainess through young children’s participation in cultural activities and practices when attending early childhood services.</p>

Dealing with High Talent Turnover through Talent Engagement Strategies: A Study of the Hotel Sector in Thailand

The hotel sector faces high team member turnover, incredibly talented workers who can contribute to outstanding performance and levelling world-class standards. Hotels need strategies to engage their talent effectively to maintain competitiveness. This paper used qualitative research, of which (38) semi-structured interviews were accompanied by key informants at the management level and supplemented by documentation and observation. The research revealed that effective talent engagement is linked directly to the well-known theory of effective talent management. Thus, the national culture influences talent engagement strategies. Within Thai culture, managers act as ‘parents’ and build strong interpersonal relationships.

Write Your Own Luck Campaign: Pentel’s Successful Advertising Strategy Based on Superstitious Beliefs in Thailand

The Pentel case study exhibits a success case of a global firm’s ability to incorporate cultural-specific values into an advertising campaign. Pentel used superstitious beliefs in the Thai culture to create the Write Your Own Luck campaign. The company launched a limited pen collection designed to be carried as lucky charms. Each pen version represented a unique type of luck it brought to its user. The campaign targeted Thai teens who were heavy users of social media. The campaign was launched through offline and online channels and received significant attention and awareness from the target audience. This case study represents a campaign that incorporates cultural beliefs and values of local consumers into an effective advertising campaign. The company achieved its goal of raising brand awareness and online engagement among the target audience.

Tracing Cultural Values in Thai Students’ Dialogical Argumentation

Critical thinking and argumentation skills are crucial for developing responsible citizens and active participants in society. Indeed, reasoning and argumentation are known to be exercised differently in distinctive cultures. Historical, cultural and institutional contexts shape the way people in a society think, communicate and act. In this regard, the predominant Western assumption that reasoning should be detachable from emotion may not necessarily be accurate within the Thai cultural context. This paper highlights how different cultural assumptions were displayed in dialogical argumentation in English for fourteen, first-year undergraduates of the English Programme at a Thai university. The analysis of the argumentation data indicated that some participants presented their claims close to the end of their argumentative turns. In addition, personal experience was regularly employed as an argumentative strategy. Interestingly, there was also an absence of claims in some argumentative turns. The aforementioned findings and the themes derived from an analysis of the semi-structured interview data reflect some specific characteristics of Thai culture and values. They include indirectness and a desire for harmony, a subjectivity in argumentation and modesty.

Tracing Cultural Values in Thai Students’ Dialogical Argumentation

Critical thinking and argumentation skills are crucial for developing responsible citizens and active participants in society. Indeed, reasoning and argumentation are known to be exercised differently in distinctive cultures. Historical, cultural and institutional contexts shape the way people in a society think, communicate and act. In this regard, the predominant Western assumption that reasoning should be detachable from emotion may not necessarily be accurate within the Thai cultural context. This paper highlights how different cultural assumptions were displayed in dialogical argumentation in English for fourteen, first-year undergraduates of the English Programme at a Thai university. The analysis of the argumentation data indicated that some participants presented their claims close to the end of their argumentative turns. In addition, personal experience was regularly employed as an argumentative strategy. Interestingly, there was also an absence of claims in some argumentative turns. The aforementioned findings and the themes derived from an analysis of the semi-structured interview data reflect some specific characteristics of Thai culture and values. They include indirectness and a desire for harmony, a subjectivity in argumentation and modesty.

Study on Christian Belief and Cultural Exchange of Chinese in Northern Thailand: The Case of the Manchu Village of Chiang Raic'

In the process of integration into Thai society, Manchu Village> a Chinese community, has achieved mutual cooperation between civil autonomy authority and national administrative authority. Gradually accepted Thai culture> villagers in Manchu formed a strong national identity for 'Thailand. Meanwhile> they still inherit Chinese culture and maintained hometown recall and Chinese identity > which have also undergone fission. A variety of beliefs> such as Islam, Christianity? Buddhism> Yitong Taoism,and u Heaven > Earth>Country > Ancestor and Teacher” , coexist in the community. However>the split of the Christian church has not affected the unity and cohesion of the community. The spread and development of Christianity in Manchu presents a macro interaction chain between 'Thailand and Southeast Asia? between China's southeastern coastand southwestern frontiers.

Developing a Thai Theological and Biblical Understanding of the World: Rethinking Thai Cosmology in Light of Divine Council theology

This article is an attempt to compare and contrast biblical divine council cosmology (Heiser, 2008) with Thai Buddhist cosmology. The Ramakien and the Three Worlds According to King Ruang are the primary cultural narratives of the Thai people. These narratives give us insight into the worldview of the Thai. By comparing the Thai worldview with the biblical worldview, we can see where they intersect and where they are in conflict. The goal of this article is to spark a dialogue for producing a Thai theological and apologetic perspective that takes seriously Thai cultural worldview understandings in light of divine council cosmology and develops new tools for reaching Thai culture with the Gospel.