Bangkok Metropolitan Research Articles

The effect of three-part breathing exercise on smoking cessation: A 6-month cluster-randomized clinical trial

IntroductionNegative affect was identified as an important barrier to smoking cessation. Three-part breathing exercise showed a significant effect on decreasing negative affect immediately after being practiced. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of three-part breathing exercise on smoking cessation. MethodsA 6-month cluster-randomized clinical trial was conducted. Forty-three participants recruited from 8 companies in Bangkok Metropolitan areas were randomly assigned at the cluster level into either the intervention or control groups. Control group (n = 23) received counseling for smoking cessation once a week for 12 weeks. Intervention group (n = 20) received counseling for smoking cessation plus a three-part breathing exercise program once a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were 7-day point prevalence and continuous abstinence rate as validated by saliva cotinine. The secondary outcomes were cigarette cravings, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, affect and quality of life. ResultsThe results revealed no significant difference in smoking abstinence rate between the three-part breathing exercise and control group. Participants demonstrated significant pre-post improvement in cigarette cravings, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, affect, and quality of life within each group. ConclusionThere were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, the improvement in abstinence rate from the three-part breathing exercise was deemed clinically relevant. Thus, it may be recommended to smokers interested in smoking cessation and more research is needed on this topic.

Role of Psychological Capital as a Mediator between Authentic Leadership and Learning Organization in Bangkok Metropolitan Schools: A Causal Relationship Model

The purpose of the research was to develop the empirical causal relationship model of learning organization, with psychological capital as a mediator, impacted by authentic leadership in Bangkok Metropolitan school, Thailand. The literature review was extensively conducted to identify the research hypothesized model, and the causal relationship modelling was implemented by 1,080 teachers. Descriptive and inferential statistics and structural equation modelling were conducted to empirically investigate causal relationships. The findings revealed that the causal relationship model fit the data well, as indicated by fit indices; Chi-square indicated at 26.464 (df=34; p=0.818), with non-statistical significance. Model consistency was identified by Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) at 0.997, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) at 0.988, Root Mean Square Residual (RMR) at 0.00519, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) at 0.000. The findings consistently and significantly revealed direct and indirect effects of authentic leadership on learning organization as mediated by psychological capital, which identified an indirect effect (0.56**) and a total effect (0.65**). The direct effects of authentic leadership were the highest impact on psychological capital (0.81**), though with a non-significant direct impact on learning organization (0.08). The results significantly indicated a direct effect of psychological capital on learning organization (0.69**), verified psychological capital as an effective mediator enhancing learning organization. By square multiple correlations of the latent variables, psychological capital was explained and predicated by authentic leadership for 66%, and learning organization was explained and predicated by authentic leadership and psychological capital for 58%.

The motivation of the elderly to use the Bangkok Metropolitan Medical Service Application in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

The motivation of the elderly to use the Bangkok Metropolitan Medical Service Application in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

Spatial Estimation of PM2.5 Exposure and its Association with Asthma Exacerbation: A Prospective Study in Thai Children.

Background:The acceptable fine particulate matter (PM2.5) level in Thailand is double the recommendation of the World Health Organization. It is necessary to have an accurate measure of PM2.5 exposure and its association with health problems in vulnerable groups such as asthma exacerbation in Thai children to urge the Clean Air Act in Thailand, which is currently in the process of revision.Objective:To study the association between PM2.5 exposure and asthma exacerbation in children living in Bangkok Metropolitan Region and Chiang Mai Province.Methods:A pilot prospective observational study was conducted at the Chest and Allergy clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok and at the Chest Clinic at Nakornping Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand, from June 2020 to February 2021. Children with asthma, aged 5–18 years old, were recruited. Respiratory symptoms, including cough, chest tightness, dyspnea or wheezing, peak expiratory flow rate, and asthma exacerbation, were recorded twice daily by caregivers. Estimated average daily PM2.5 exposure levels were calculated using ArcGIS® at exacerbation day, three days before exacerbation (lag day 3), and 7 days before exacerbation (lag day 7). Regression analysis was applied to examine the association between PM2.5 exposure and asthma exacerbation.Findings:Seventy asthmatic patients were enrolled. The median age was 9.7 (IQR 5–18) years old. There were 53 respiratory symptoms, 5 admissions, and 1 intensive care unit admission. Daily PM2.5 levels above 12 mcg/m3 (the US cut-off level for the sensitive group) has higher sensitivity to detect asthma exacerbation compared to Thai cut-off level for the sensitive group (37 mcg/m3) (sensitivity 98.2% vs 32.1%). The average daily PM2.5 level exposure at lag day 3 in the exacerbation vs the non-exacerbation group was 27.5 and 13.6 mcg/m3 (p < 0.01), respectively. The daily PM2.5 level at lag day 3 was also correlated with an acute asthmatic attack (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) with the 0.2 events increasing of asthmatic exacerbation every 10 mcg/m3 of increment of daily PM2.5 level.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that asthmatic children are sensitive to daily PM2.5 levels above 12 mcg/m3. Exposure to high daily PM2.5 levels can lead to asthma exacerbation within three days. Further participant recruitment is needed to emphasize this association and establish the national data.

The interplay of labor and capital perspectives on formalization approaches: motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok

Motorcycle taxi drivers (MTDs) are classified as self-employed informal workers. The interplay between formality and informality is examined in this article from labor and capital perspectives on formalization approaches. Data was collected by questionnaire survey and semi-structured interview methods and analyzed. Results revealed significant overlap and informality concealed within formality, as well as stakeholder illegal practice in occupational registration and social assistance programs as well as factors affecting short-term cash transfer programs during the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These findings suggest that 1) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should be held accountable for responses caused by its urban transportation network; and 2) government agencies should address institutionalized corruption in the motorcycle taxi trade as an underlying cause of unproductive means-testing in providing social assistance during a pandemic.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences of Thai Mothers in Metropolitan Bangkok.

IntroductionIn 2019, only 14% of mothers in Thailand performed six-month exclusive breastfeeding. This study sought to understand the pathways that mothers in Bangkok Metropolitan took to achieve successful six-month exclusive breastfeeding.MethodsA total of 50 mothers living in Bangkok with children aged 6–12 months, who achieved and not achieved 6-month exclusive breastfeeding, were recruited for in-depth interviews during February to July 2020. Inductive thematic analysis of participants’ viewpoints was applied for data analysis and interpretation.ResultsFour themes that contributed to six-month exclusive breastfeeding were i) maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy; ii) support provided by family members; iii) engagement with and support from healthcare professionals; and iv) employers’ support and workplace environments. Mothers with strong breastfeeding intentions and “perceived capability” to succeed at breastfeeding tended to prioritize breastfeeding and overcome and cope well with unforeseen breastfeeding challenges. Supportive family members, who were convinced of the benefits of breastfeeding, engaged in maternal decision-making, and provided optimal support, contributed to successful exclusive breastfeeding. Health professionals were key in supporting mothers throughout pregnancy until the postpartum period. Lactating-mother-friendly working conditions, flexible working hours and enabling workplace environments, including the provision of breastfeeding breaks and a dedicate space for breast milk expression, were enabling factors for successful exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers.ConclusionWe recommend that all mothers and their family members are fully informed and convinced of the benefit from breastfeeding and trained with practical skill during their visit to antenatal care clinics. These interventions aim to develop mothers’ self-efficacy for breastfeeding and to prepare them to manage common breastfeeding challenges. Health professionals should provide regular follow-up and counseling sessions on breastfeeding practices to mothers and families throughout the lactating period, especially working mothers for breastfeeding continuation after resume to work. Enhanced societal collective actions such as breastfeeding-friendly policy in workplace, including breastfeeding break-time and corner, can create enabling environments for successful exclusive breastfeeding.

Enhancing digital literacy with an intelligent conversational agent for senior citizens in Thailand.

Intelligent conversational agents have been implemented as virtual assistants in mobile applications to facilitate, engage, and interact with users for optimal learning experiences. With 24/7 availability, providing instant and consistent responses, chatbots, as a type of intelligent conversational agent, will help benefit the learning communication, makes the entire learning experience more engaging for the learners. They have also been successfully used by the elderly to encourage behavioral change for their intended purpose. This study investigated baseline data on the use of digital platforms of senior citizens in Bangkok Metropolitan and the six regions of Thailand and developed a chatbot from the derived data. The chatbot contained learning media and service function, served as a platform to enhance digital literacy for the senior citizens in Thailand. The study was conducted in 3 phases, the baseline survey on the use of digital platforms of the senior citizens in Thailand, the development of the chatbot and learning media, and the pre-experimental expert validation. The samples were 422 senior citizens. The data were collected by questionnaires, focused group discussion, and interviews with experts, and analyzed by percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. Results were incorporated in the design and development of the chatbot innovation following the software development life cycle (SDLC) framework. Expert feedback revealed that this chatbot innovation was easy to access, convenient to request for operations, artistically appealing, and comprehensive in content and functionality for enhancing digital literacy skills, which are to access, analyze, evaluate, participate, and act. In the next research sequence, this innovation will subsequently be experimented with more senior citizens to prepare and improve their digital competence to consequently equip them with the necessary capacities to keep up with Thailand’s transition towards a full-blown aging society.

Analysis of Demand and Supply Gap on Mass Rapid Transit System: A Case Study of Bangkok and Jakarta Metropolitan Cities

Analysis of Demand and Supply Gap on Mass Rapid Transit System: A Case Study of Bangkok and Jakarta Metropolitan Cities

Model of Developing Teachers Competencies in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Base on Active Learning Design for Students to Thailand 4.0

Model of Developing Teachers Competencies in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Base on Active Learning Design for Students to Thailand 4.0

Co-identifying processes of community resources: Participatory planning and use of a toolkit for community resilience in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR)

Co-identifying processes of community resources: Participatory planning and use of a toolkit for community resilience in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR)

Jitney-lite: a flexible-route feeder service for developing countries

The paper develops a novel strategy for delivering feeder service in support of trunk-line transit. The strategy is well suited to developing countries, where costs of emergent communication technologies often preclude their use. The strategy, termed Jitney-lite, is a form of collective transportation that provides a degree of flexibility. Patrons who board an outbound Jitney-lite vehicle at a transit station are delivered to their doorsteps. On the return trip to the station, the vehicle boards new patrons in the manner of traditional, fixed-route, fixed-stop feeder-bus service. Continuum approximation models are formulated, both for Jitney-lite and traditional services. The models are used to determine the conditions for which one service form imparts lower generalized costs than the other. A case study of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region reveals that Jitney-lite tends to generate lower costs in the city's periphery, where travel demands are relatively low. The service can be especially cost-effective where sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure are underdeveloped, and where residents earn middle-to-high incomes.

Developing Evaluation Framework for Intelligent Transport System on Public Transportation in Bangkok Metropolitan Regions Using Fuzzy AHP

Public transportation has been encouraged as a significant solution to overcome traffic congestion. An advanced technology, known as advanced public transport system (APTS), was introduced to enhance the effectiveness of public transportation. To support appropriate decisions on selecting application development, significant indicators representing the impacts of the proposed projects are highlighted. This study aims to determine the desirable indicators of developing APTS to achieve smart mobility using the fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (fuzzy AHP) method and allocating weights to each indicator. The perception of a group of intelligent transport system (ITS) experts from three sectors in the Bangkok Metropolitan Regions (BMR) was examined to conduct a fuzzy AHP pairwise comparison. The ranking of 21 indicators categorized within six dimensions in accordance with the specific ITS master plan relating to APTS development is presented. The result presented that the safety dimension obtained the highest rank, and the three most important weight indicators are traffic accident reduction relating to public transportation, smart public transport network density and waiting time for public transportation. In addition, the perspectives towards APTS development and assessment framework development in BMR is highlighted to revise impediment of regulation and encourage integration among stakeholders. Then, the approaches of the APTS evaluation framework in BMR are proposed.

A spatiotemporal analysis of lightning in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region

ABSTRACT This investigation analyzes the spatiotemporal lightning distribution from 2016 through 2020 for the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). Results suggest that significant urban augmentation of the lightning and subsequent thunderstorm distribution is occurring in the BMR. The distribution of lightning across the BMR is shaped by wind direction, wind speed and location of urban land cover. There exists a prominent two-peak (May and October) monthly distribution in the BMR lightning activity. October lightning counts are nearly double the amount occurring in May, with a lull in activity during July, August and the dry monsoonal months of December through March. However, both the number of lighting days and hours remain elevated from April through October, with thunderstorm lightning productivity highest in October, April, and September respectively. Lightning activity in the BMR is most frequent between 1100–1300 and 1900–2300 Local Standard Time. Significant enhancement of the lightning distribution occurs downwind of the Bangkok central business district and appears to be dependent on both the wind direction and speed. As wind speeds decrease, results suggest the spatial distribution of lightning strokes and lightning days become more focused over downtown Bangkok.

Impact of Decentralization and Rail Network Extension on Future Traffic in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region

In many large cities in developing countries, investments in transportation infrastructure are insufficient for the growing population, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and overcrowding. The urban population of developing countries is expected to increase further toward the middle of this century, and urban planning and transportation policies that foresee future population changes and economic growth are necessary to make these cities more sustainable. Bangkok is one of the most congested metropolitan areas in the world, and transport projects such as the extension of the public transportation system are being implemented. However, due to the monocentric urban structure, both road and rail traffic is extremely congested during peak hours, which impedes some economic activities and personal interaction. In this study, we simulate the impact of urban and transportation measures in Bangkok from today to 2050. In addition to the expansion of the planned rail transit network, we evaluate the effects of a land use scenario in which sub-centers are established to develop a polycentric urban structure. The impact of alternative zoning and transportation policies and projects in Bangkok is discussed. Although this study is focused on Bangkok, the findings are assumed to be transferable to other large cities in developing countries.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Rickettsia spp. from Wild Small Mammals in Public Parks and Urban Areas of Bangkok Metropolitan, Thailand.

Rural areas usually show a higher prevalence of rickettsial infection than urban areas. However, information on the rickettsial infection status in urban settings (e.g., built-up areas and city parks) is still limited, particularly in the Bangkok metropolitan area. In this study, we performed a molecular rickettsial survey of spleen samples of small mammals caught in public parks and built-up areas of Bangkok. Out of 198 samples, the Rattus rattus complex was found to be most prevalent. The amplification of rickettsial gltA fragment gene (338 bp) by nested PCR assay revealed positive results in four samples, yielding a low prevalence of infection of 2.02%. DNA sequencing results confirmed that three samples were matched with Rickettsia typhi, and one was identified as R. felis. It is noteworthy that this is the first report of the occurrence of R. felis DNA in rodents in Southeast Asia.

Social Commerce’s Operation Activities Patterns in Thailand

Nowadays, S-Commerce is a popular business operation channel and tends to welcome more new business operators. However, most of them have an obstacle in choosing the correct tools for operations which are available in many patterns. The main objective of this research is to find the most popular pattern of trading activities through S-Commerce in Thailand as to be guidelines for new business operators. A survey by interview was conducted on methods used to implement buying and selling activities according to consumer buying decision-making process from 120 S-Commerce business operators in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region by convenience sampling. The obtained methods were analyzed to find out the most common patterns. The findings from the study showed that most sellers selected Facebook to promote their businesses by providing details through Facebook pages and allowing customers to contact them for more information via inbox and telephone. Making purchases, informing payment channels, and confirming product delivery are done in inbox and customers give feedback on Facebook pages, followed by using Facebook in combination with LINE. Details of the product were given through Facebook pages and LINE Timeline. Customers contact for more information through LINE Chat and telephone. Making purchases and informing payment channels are done through LINE Chat. Products are sent directly to customers. Customers give feedback through Facebook pages. Some buyers and sellers were asked and it was found that most buyers would like to ask for additional details through other channels and sellers would like to expand their groups of customers. Therefore, it is necessary to increase channels in implementing activities that are making purchase order and inventory management difficult. In this regard, they selected to offer products through different channels but control the number or ordering channels to be limited to ensure purchase orders will be better managed, suitable for small business with small capital. Additional functions should be developed in bringing purchase orders from chat channel to store and manage in a systematic manner and be easy to use. It can be seen that S-Commerce has been conducted worldwide and its tendency seems to be moving higher. Some products of Thailand are desired by foreigners. In order to expand customer bases overseas, an automatic language translation functions on social media should be developed. Keywords: Social Commerce (S-Commerce); Business operation; Buying and selling activities; Activities pattern

Effects of self-compassion on The Four Immeasurables and happiness of volunteers in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region

ABSTRACT This research aimed to study the effects of self-compassion on the four immeasurables and happiness among volunteers in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. A total of 441 participants in public and private sector organisations took part in this research by volunteer sampling. The research instruments comprised the Self-Compassion Survey, the Four Immeasurables Survey, and the Happiness Survey. A casual structure was used as the statistical treatment. The research results revealed that the influence model of self-compassion affected the four immeasurables (Buddhist virtues) and the happiness of volunteers. Of these, self-compassion had the highest effect on the happiness of volunteers, with a .58 path coefficient. Additionally, self-compassion, together with the four immeasurables, could predict the happiness variance at 78%, and that the higher the self-compassion level that individuals had, the more physical, psychological and spiritual well-being volunteers also experienced.

A Multi-Dimensional Clustering Applied to Classify the Typology of Urban Public Parks in Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

Public parks are public spaces that support community activities and enhance the environmental quality of a city. Depending on the local urban context in terms of socio-economic conditions and location, the physical characteristics and particular uses of each public park may vary from each other. Accordingly, urban public parks and their uses reflect the characteristics of communities and neighborhoods where the public parks are located. The aim of this study is to apply analytical approaches using a multi-dimensional clustering method to classify multivariate characteristics of public parks into typologies that combine a set of criteria related to internal park attributes and external physical environments around parks in an urban context of Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand. An analysis of a multi-dimensional data set from 30 public parks resulted in six identified clusters of characteristics of urban park areas. The study demonstrates how the context-specific typology can assist local urban planners, policymakers, and government authorities when considering management strategies for public parks in Bangkok areas.

3D stratigraphic modelling of the Bangkok basin using Kriging on borehole data

The Lower Central Plain of Thailand has a deep and highly irregular basement filled with complex layers of alluvial sandy soil and deltaic clay or silt. The Bangkok Metropolitan region with its high level of infrastructure development is located in this plain. With high population density, the problem of land subsidence is critical. This study uses borehole data and the Kriging method to interpolate the data. A detailed 3D stratigraphic model of the basin is presented and several cross sections along two directions. Seventeen layers and the points used for modelling each layer are presented. The model shows eight aquifers in the Bangkok basin, lying between eight layers of clay, and a bottom layer above the basement. The bottom of the lowest aquifer of the Bangkok aquifer system is 610 m deep. The basement extends down to a depth of more than 2000 m in some places. Our 3D model, which extends to the basement, is of interest for mining and site-specific seismic risk analysis. Moreover, our results can be very useful for groundwater and land subsidence studies.

Geospatial Analysis of Covid-19 to Respond to Pandemic Outbreaks: A Case Study in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand

Coronavirus (Covid-19) has to date (March 29th 2020) infected over 81,000 Chinese citizens, mostly in Hubei Province, since it was first identified in December 2019. It has so far spread to more than 202 countries. On the 31th of March 2020, the total number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported by Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in Thailand is 1524, of which 127 have recovered, 1388 are receiving treatment (17 cases are severe) in healthcare settings and nine have died. Recently Geographic Information System (GIS) provide epidemiologists and public health officers in the surveillance, monitoring and controlling of many infected diseases such as vector-borne diseases or human-to-human transmission diseases in many countries. Particularly it can provide the functions of collecting, updating and managing disease surveillance and related data, such as geographical factor and socio-economic. They are also pertinent to suit the needs of understanding the spatial spread or diffusion of disease outbreak and response for designing the prevention and control strategies. The major objective of this research is to apply the spatial epidemiology approaches for studying COVID-19 patterns and hotspots in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), Thailand. The specific objectives are to analyze the COVID-19 patterns in the terms of population and geographic distribution patterns; to detect the COVID-19 incidence rate under different months by using the spatial analysis. This research provides maps to view the pandemic situation of BMR and the provincial level of COVID-19 in particular heat maps and ring maps.