Central Thailand Research Articles

Community Care Strategies for Older Adults Facing Hardships: Insights from Central Thailand

The focus of the study is to analyze the community care approach for older adults facing hardships in the social and cultural context of the central region of Thailand. To obtain insightful information, a qualitative research study was performed using observation methods, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, secondary data, and field notes. A group of 85 key informants consisting of local administrative organizations (LAO), public sector officers from health service units, community leaders, civil groups, older adults facing hardships, and family caregivers participated in the study. There are nine approaches employed in the community care practices for older adults facing hardships as follows: 1) providing social welfare; 2) preparing and using information; 3) developing a service system; 4) developing potential in caring for older adults; 5) adjusting the environment to ensure its contribution to the living conditions; 6) rules, regulations, agreements, and policies; 7) creating job opportunities; 8) building food security; and 9) building and strengthening community networks. Understanding in-depth information regarding the nature of older adults, community strategies, and community involvement assists nurses in health management and increasing skills and knowledge on providing care for older adults.

Fading Musical Memory: 150 Years of Lao Phuan Singing in Lopburi, Thailand

As a consequence of numerous wars and forced migrations, the Phuan kingdom, which once flourished on the Plain of Jars in Laos, was obliterated during the 19th century. Much of the population was force-marched down to the Mekong Valley and into northeastern and central Thailand. One of the last contingents settled in central Thailand’s Lopburi province, in the district of Ban Mi. After nearly 150 years of exile there, only two living traditional singers of khap phuan, both around 90 years of age, could be found and were recorded in 2012 and 2013. Since our initial documentation of them and their khaen mouth organ accompanist, all have passed away, leaving no one to carry on the tradition. This article examines these musical fragments and compares them to the living music found in the old Phuan area. Due to the stark differences between Ban Mi singing and modern khap phuan, we aimed to identify what was preserved in Thailand and what this reveals about Phuan history and migration.

Advancements in daily precipitation forecasting: A deep dive into daily precipitation forecasting hybrid methods in the Tropical Climate of Thailand

Climate change and increasing water demands underscore the importance of water resource management. Precise precipitation forecasting is critical to effective management. This study introduced a Daily Precipitation Forecasting Hybrid (DPFH) technique for central Thailand, which uses three different input-based models to improve prediction accuracy.•The proposed methods precisely combine the biorthogonal wavelet transformation (BWT) function through BWT-RBFNN (Radial Basis Function Neural Networks) and (BWT-LSTM-RNN)Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Networks. Comparative analyses reveal that hybrid models perform better than conventional deep LSTM-RNN and Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Networks (MLP-ANN). Although MLP-ANN showed moderate effectiveness, LSTM-RNN displayed notable enhancements, particularly evidenced by an impressive R2 (0.96) in Model M-2.•The combination of BWT-LSTM-RNN yielded substantial enhancements, constantly surpassing standalone models. Specifically, DPFH-3 exhibited superior performance across multiple observation stations.•The findings emphasize the efficiency of the BWT-LSTM-RNN models in capturing varied precipitation patterns, highlighting their potential to significantly improve the accuracy of precipitation forecasts, particularly in the context of water resource management in central Thailand.

Aptrootia khaoyaiensis (Trypetheliaceae), a new corticolous lichen from the dry dipterocarp forest in central Thailand

Abstract Aptrootia khaoyaiensis Polyiam & Lücking is described as new to science from dry dipterocarp forest in central Thailand, based on morphological assessment and sequence data of the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU). The new species is characterized by a corticolous habit, a corticate thallus, ascomata typically immersed in the thallus, with a brown to blackish ostiolar region, an inspersed hamathecium, and dark brown, muriform ascospores occurring 1–2 per ascus. Phylogenetic analyses support placement of the new species in Aptrootia; it is morphologically close to A. elatior but differs in the smaller ascospores and the inspersed hamathecium.

Underestimated species diversity within the Rhacophorus rhodopus and Rhacophorus bipunctatus complexes (Anura, Rhacophoridae), with a description of a new species from Hainan, China

Taxonomy and species boundaries within the Rhacophorus rhodopus and Rhacophorus bipunctatus complexes are very confusing. In this study, we attempt to delimit the species boundaries and test the currently accepted taxonomic assignments within these two complexes based on newly collected samples and previously published data across their distributions. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the R. rhodopus and R. bipunctatus complexes consisted of six distinct clades (labeled A‒F) that diverged from each other by genetic distances (p-distance) ranging from 5.3% to 9.2% in 16S rRNA sequences, and accordingly analyses of species delimitation placed them into six species, of which three correspond to known species (R. rhodopus, R. bipunctatus, and R. napoensis) and three represent different cryptic species. Rhacophorus rhodopus (Clade C) is distributed in southern Yunnan, China, northern Laos, and northern and central Thailand; R. bipunctatus (Clade F) is distributed in northeastern India and western and northern Myanmar; and R. napoensis (Clade B) is distributed in Guangxi, China and northern Vietnam. Based on both molecular and morphological evidence, we described the clade consisting of samples from Hainan, China and central Vietnam (Clade A) as a new species, Rhacophorus qiongicasp. nov. There are two cryptic species requiring additional morphological studies: one only contains samples from Motuo, Xizang, China (Clade E), and the other is distributed in western Yunnan, China, central Myanmar, central Thailand, and Malaysia (Clade D). Additionally, our results supported the idea that some old GenBank sequences of R. reinwardtii need to be updated with the correct species name.

Biomass recovery of coastal young mangrove plantations in Central Thailand

Around one-third of the world’s most carbon-rich ecosystems, mangrove forests, have already been destroyed in Thailand owing to coastal development and aquaculture. Improving these degraded areas through mangrove plantations can restore various coastal ecosystem services, including CO2 absorption and protection against wave action. This study examines the biomass of three coastal mangrove plantations (Avicennia alba) of different ages in Samut Prakarn province, Central Thailand. Our aim was to understand the forest biomass recovery during the early stages of development, particularly fine root biomass expansion. In the chronosequence of the mangrove plantations, woody biomass increased by 40% over four years from 79.7 ± 11.2 Mg C ha-1 to 111.7 ± 12.3 Mg C ha−1. Fine root biomass up to a depth of 100 cm was 4.47 ± 0.33 Mg C ha−1, 4.24 ± 0.63 Mg C ha−1, and 6.92 ± 0.32 Mg C ha−1 at 10, 12, and 14 year-old sites, respectively. Remarkably, the fine root biomass of 14-year-old site was significantly higher than those of the younger sites due to increase of the biomass at 15–30 cm and 30–50 cm depths. Our findings reveal that the biomass recovery in developing mangrove plantations exhibit rapid expansion of fine roots in deeper soil layers.

Geochemistry of magnetite from Fe-skarn deposits along the central Loei Fold Belt, Thailand

Abstract Fe-deposits in Thailand are mostly located along the Loei Fold Belt in Central Thailand. The study areas, Khao Lek (KL) and Khao Thab Kwai (KTK), have Fe-deposits hosted in contact metamorphized Permian limestone and Permo-Triassic volcanic rocks. Magnetite forms over a wide range of geological conditions and incorporates various trace elements into its cubic spinel structure. The KL and KTK Fe-skarn deposits are mainly composed of massive magnetite. The main discriminator elements for magnetite are characterized by the distribution of Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu. Thus, this study focused on the chemical characteristics of magnetite to identify the origins of the iron ore deposits. This study investigated the trace element chemistry of the magnetite using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The high Ca + Al + Mn and low Ti + V and Ni/Cr + Mn contents of hydrothermal magnetite in the KL and KTK deposits support a typical skarn origin, and the textural and trace element features of the KL and KTK magnetite are analogous to those of typical calcic-Fe skarn deposits worldwide.

E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students.

Although many countries, including Thailand, currently ban the sale of e-cigarettes, their use continues to rise, especially among young adults. Since the study of e-cigarette use among university students is limited, this study aimed to determine factors associated with e-cigarette use and explore university students' attitudes toward e-cigarettes, perceived risk, and opinion of e-cigarette policies. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students using convenience sampling in a university, in central Thailand from November 2022 to February 2023. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to 19 faculties representing health sciences, science and technology, social and arts faculties, and the International College. A total of 548 students completed the online questionnaire, and 20.4% reported ever using e-cigarettes, while 40% of e-cigarette users were unsure about the nicotine content. About 28% agreed, and 22% were unsure whether e-cigarettes could help quit smoking. Most students perceived that e-cigarettes are addictive and harmful, while about half of the participants agreed with the policy related to e-cigarettes in Thailand. Students with positive attitudes towards e-cigarettes were more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.08-1.22), and those with lower perceived risk (AOR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.96) and who disagreed with e-cigarettes policy (AOR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.89-0.97) were more likely to use e-cigarettes. Personal income and having friends who use e-cigarettes were the significant predictors for e-cigarette use, while studying in the faculty of science and technology was a predictor of using e-cigarettes last month. Although the perceived risk was high, about half of the students thought that e-cigarettes could help them quit smoking and were unsure or disagreed with e-cigarette banning policies. Attitude, perceived risk, policy opinions, personal income, and having friends who used e-cigarettes, were associated with e-cigarette use. Thus, correcting misunderstandings and increasing risk perceptions about e-cigarettes must be advocated among university students.

Land-Water-GHG-Food Nexus performance and physical-socio-economic-policy factors influencing rice cultivation in Central Thailand

Agriculture activity contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through its utilization of land, water, and energy for food production. Hence, the interactions between land, water, and GHG emissions in agricultural production need to be comprehensively studied. The study aimed to assess the Land-Water-GHG-Food Nexus Index (LWGFNI) of rice cultivation across various land suitability classes in Central Thailand and determining the physical, socio-economic, and policy factors that can influence farmers' decisions to choose for cultivating rice instead of shifting to other crops. The results indicated that the highest LWGFNI score was 0.69 for the rice grown in the moderate suitability land class which revealed a lower use of land and water resources as well as GHG emissions compared to other levels of land suitability. The LWGFNI scores of major rice cultivation were greater compared to the second rice in all four-land suitability. The use of fertilizers had a crucial role in enhancing productivity levels and was a significant factor in the generation of GHG emissions. Hence, improving effective production should consider the appropriate use of fertilizer. The physical, socio-economic, and policy-related aspects that significantly influenced farmers' decisions on cultivation of rice included topography, water resources, inherited professions, price guarantee, and knowledge/training factors. The methodology used and results obtained can help policy makers to plan the use of water and land resources efficiently and appropriately with local resources based on land suitability class. The assessment results revealed the GHG hotspots and the strategies to mitigate GHG emissions associated with rice cultivation.

Bacterial community diversity, abundance, and composition of rearing water and red tilapia gills from open river cages and earthen ponds in Central Thailand

Bacterial community diversity, abundance, and composition of rearing water and red tilapia gills from open river cages and earthen ponds in Central Thailand

LSTM-Powered COVID-19 prediction in central Thailand incorporating meteorological and particulate matter data with a multi-feature selection approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted public health and necessitated urgent actions to mitigate its spread. Monitoring and predicting the outbreak's progression have become vital to devise effective strategies and allocate resources efficiently. This study presents a novel approach utilizing Multivariate Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) to analyze and predict COVID-19 trends in Central Thailand, particularly emphasizing the multi-feature selection process. To consider a comprehensive view of the pandemic's dynamics, our research dataset encompasses epidemiological, meteorological, and particulate matter features, which were gathered from reliable sources. We propose a multi-feature selection technique to identify the most relevant and influential features that significantly impact the spread of COVID-19 in the region to enhance the model's performance. Our results highlight that relative humidity is the key factor driving COVID-19 transmission in Central Thailand. The proposed multi-feature selection technique significantly improves the model's accuracy, ensuring that only the most informative variables contribute to the predictions, avoiding the potential noise or redundancy from less relevant features. The proposed LSTM model demonstrates its capability to forecast COVID-19 cases, facilitating informed decision-making for public health authorities and policymakers.

Morphology and multigene phylogeny reveal a novel Stagonospora species (Massarinaceae, Dothideomycetes) from Thailand

Stagonospora is an asexual morph genus that is classified under Massarinaceae in Dothideomycetes. Stagonospora species have been recorded in both tropical and temperate regions. Several species have been reported as saprobic or opportunistic pathogenic lifestyles on grasses and grass-like plants. In this study, Stagonospora was collected from a Typha species in Sam Roi Yot wetland in central Thailand. Morphological examination was coupled with multi-loci phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian interference of a data set containing large subunit ribosomal rDNA (LSU rDNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, small subunit ribosomal rDNA (SSU rDNA), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) sequences. Our new taxon is distinguishable from other Stagonospora species by having hyaline, one-septate conidia that taper toward the base. This discovery holds significant value in comprehending the fungal diversity within Thailand’s wetlands and the specific fungal communities linked to Typha plants.

Geometric morphometrics to differentiate species and explore seasonal variation in three Mansonia species (Diptera: Culicidae) in central Thailand and their association with meteorological factors.

Mansonia mosquito species are recognised as a significant vector of human pathogens, primarily transmitting the filarial nematode, Brugia malayi. In central Thailand, the three most prevalent Mansonia species are Mansonia annulifera, Mansonia indiana and Mansonia uniformis. This study explored the influence of seasonal changes on the phenotypic variation of these Mansonia species in central Thailand using the geometric morphometrics (GM). To ensure accurate species identification, we integrated GM techniques with DNA barcoding, examining distinctions in both phenotype and genotype among the species. The intraspecific genetic divergence ranged from 0.00% to 1.69%, whereas the interspecific genetic divergence ranged from 10.52% to 16.36%. The clear distinction between intra- and interspecific distances demonstrated the presence of a barcoding gap, confirming the successful differentiation of the three Mansonia mosquito species through DNA barcoding. Similarly, the interspecies GM assessment for classifying Mansonia species demonstrated a high degree of accuracy, with an overall performance of 98.12%. Exploring seasonal variation in the three Mansonia species revealed wing variations across different seasons, and pronounced variations appearing in the cool season. Regarding their association with meteorological factors, Ma. annulifera and Ma. uniformis showed significant positive correlations with temperature (p < 0.05), and Ma. uniformis also displayed a significant negative correlation with atmospheric pressure (p < 0.05). The insights from this study will deepen our understanding of the adaptive patterns of Mansonia mosquitoes in Thailand's central region, paving the way for enhanced disease surveillance related to these vectors.

Spatial distribution of COVID-19 infection in Thailand and its related factors during 2020-2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, with over 759 million confirmed cases and 6.8 million deaths globally as of March 2023, underscores the critical need for effective control measures. Objectives: This study investigates the spatial dynamics of the disease in Thailand from 2020 to 2021, focusing on the association between demographic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors and COVID-19 infection rates, utilizing Geographic Information Systems. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, QGIS and GeoDa were employed to analyze the spatial pattern of COVID-19 infection rates using Local Moran’s I statistics for spatial autocorrelation. Spatial regression, specifically the Spatial Lag Model and Spatial Error Model was utilized to identify factors related to the observed spatial patterns. Results: The study identified high incidence clusters in southern and central Thailand. Population density, age demographics, and urbanization were found to be positively correlated with incidence rates. Environmental factors such as temperature showed a negative correlation, while forest area coverage exhibited a complex influence. Socioeconomic variables, including income and alcohol density, displayed varying effects, while tobacco density was positively associated with incidence. Conclusion: This comprehensive study underlines the importance of considering spatial dynamics in pandemic analysis. It reveals the multifaceted interplay between demographic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors in COVID-19 transmission. These findings provide valuable insights for targeted interventions and effective pandemic control strategies in Thailand and similar regions.

Tick-borne pathogens Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia co-infection in owned dogs in Central Thailand.

Tick-borne pathogens are transmitted by a wide range of tick species and affect both human and animal health. Understanding the diversity of these pathogens and their co-infection rates in domesticated animals in urban areas is crucial for effective disease management and prevention. In this study, a total of 565 owned dogs in the central region of Thailand were investigated for the infection rate of three genera of Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia infection using multiplex PCR. The results revealed an overall infection rate of 19.1%, with Ehrlichia having the highest infection rate (12.2%), followed by Babesia (2.5%) and Hepatozoon (1.4%). The rate of co-infection was 3%, with mixed infections involving two or three genera. Male dogs exhibited a slightly higher infection rate compared to females, although not statistically significant. Young adult dogs (1-3 years) showed the highest infection rate of both single infections and co-infections. Monthly infection rate indicated variations throughout the year, with co-infection rate significantly associated with overall infection rate. Clinical manifestations in three genera of infected dogs included thrombocytopenia and eosinopenia. The results of this study are useful to design strategies for the management and prevention of tick-borne diseases in the study area.

Investigation of outbreaks and risk factors for brucellosis in goat and sheep farms in central Thailand

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a harmful disease that affects a wide range of animals and adversely affects both animal and human health. Brucella melitensis is a zoonotic disease that causes brucellosis in sheep and goats. This study aimed to identify human index cases, identify risk factors for brucellosis in goat and sheep farms, and establish recommendations for farmers. Materials and Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted on goat or sheep farms in central Thailand. We utilized animal disease reports and outbreak investigation data extracted from the Department of Livestock Development, Thailand, and assessed these secondary data. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Serum samples were parallel tested for brucellosis using the modified Rose Bengal test and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: An index case of human brucellosis was reported in the province of Chai Nat. Patients who were goat farmers or had previous experience of goat farming were included. Bacteria were introduced into the patient's farms by purchasing goats, grazing in public grassland, and insufficient biosecurity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified a higher risk of brucellosis positivity in the large herd than in the small herd (adjusted odds ratio = 8.61; 95% confidence interval = 1.62-45.71). Conclusion: These results suggest that goat or sheep farms with 50 heads should take further measures to prevent disease transmission, such as increasing the frequency of disease testing within the herd and strengthening the biosecurity system. Keywords: brucellosis, goat farms, outbreak investigation, risk factor, sheep farms.

Associations of PNPLA3 and LEP genetic polymorphisms with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in Thai people living with human immunodeficiency virus.

The prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing public health issue in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). However, the pathophysiology of MAFLD is still unknown, and the role of genetic variables is only now becoming evident. To evaluate the associations of gene-polymorphism-related MAFLD in PLWH. The study employed transient elastography with a controlled attenuation parameter ≥ 248 dB/m to identify MAFLD in patients from a Super Tertiary Hospital in central Thailand. Candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using TaqMan® MGB probe 5' nuclease assays for seven MAFLD-related genes. Statistical analyses included SNP frequency analysis, Fisher's Exact and Chi-square tests, odds ratio calculations, and multivariable logistic regression. The G-allele carriers of PNPLA3 (rs738409) exhibited a two-fold rise in MAFLD, increasing by 2.5 times in MAFLD with human immunodeficiency virus infection. The clinical features and genetic patterns imply that LEP rs7799039 A-allele carriers had a nine times (P = 0.001) more significant chance of developing aberrant triglyceride among PLWH. The current study shows an association between PNPLA3 rs738409 and LEP rs7799039 with MAFLD in PLWH.

Ultrasensitive malaria detection system for Anopheles mosquito field surveillance using droplet digital PCR

Malaria remains a significant global public health concern, with a recent increase in the number of zoonotic malaria cases in Southeast Asian countries. However, limited reports on the vector for zoonotic malaria exist owing to difficulties in detecting parasite DNA in Anopheles mosquito vectors. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that several Anopheles mosquitoes contain simian malaria parasite DNA using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive PCR method. An entomological survey was conducted to identify simian malaria vector species at Phra Phothisat Temple (PPT), central Thailand, recognized for a high prevalence of simian malaria in wild cynomolgus macaques. A total of 152 mosquitoes from six anopheline species were collected and first analyzed by a standard 18S rRNA nested-PCR analysis for malaria parasite which yielded negative results in all collected mosquitoes. Later, ddPCR was used and could detect simian malaria parasite DNA, i.e. Plasmodium cynomolgi, in 25 collected mosquitoes. And this is the first report of simian malaria parasite DNA detection in Anopheles sawadwongporni. This finding proves that ddPCR is a powerful tool for detecting simian malarial parasite DNA in Anopheles mosquitoes and can expand our understanding of the zoonotic potential of malaria transmission between monkeys and humans.

Effectiveness of Basic Life Support Training Program for Knowledge and Skills of Primary School Teachers: A Quasi-experimental Study

CCardiac arrest outside of hospitals is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality. Schools are ideal settings to teach individuals basic life support, and teachers should be involved in basic life support training. This two-group quasi-experimental with pre-posttest study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Basic Life Support Training Program, designed by nurses, for knowledge and skills for basic life support of primary school teachers. The participants comprised 60 primary school teachers purposively selected from two primary schools in central Thailand. They were divided into experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. Data were collected using the Demographic and Health Data Form, Basic Life Support Knowledge Questionnaire, and Basic Life Support Skills Questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and independent and paired t-tests.From the results, immediately after the program, the mean scores of basic life support knowledge and skills of the program participants were significantly higher than those in the control group. After the program, the experimental group’s mean score of basic life support knowledge and skills was higher than before. The Basic Life Support Training Program effectively improves knowledge and skills for providing basic life support to primary school teachers. School nurses can be trained to use this program to improve basic life support skills among primary school teachers. However, long-term follow-up is needed to determine the sustainability of both knowledge and skills by measuring actual practice skills in basic life support.

Environmental dynamics and seasonal wing physiological changes of coastal mosquito vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Central Thailand

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are small hematophagous insects that serve as disease vectors by transmitting pathogens to humans and animals. This study was conducted on the coastline of Samut Songkhram Province in Thailand's central region to evaluate the impact of environmental factors on coastal mosquitoes, namely Anopheles epiroticus and Culex sitiens. A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression was employed to assess the relationship between the density of larval mosquitoes and water quality factors. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine the relationship between the number of adult mosquitoes and meteorological factors, and the geometric morphometric (GM) technique was used to study the wing size and shape of adult mosquitoes throughout different seasons. The ZINB analysis revealed a significant negative relationship (p < 0.05) between dissolved oxygen, high-range phosphate, and the number of An. epiroticus larvae. Conversely, in the case of Cx. sitiens, there was a significant positive relationship between nitrate-nitrogen and larval density (p < 0.01), while dissolved oxygen exhibited a significant negative relationship (p < 0.05). Regarding adult mosquitoes, relative humidity was positively correlated with the abundance of adult Cx. sitiens (r = 0.85, p < 0.01), whereas each meteorological parameter—temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure—was negatively correlated with adult An. epiroticus abundance (p < 0.05 for each). The GM analysis revealed statistically significant seasonal variations in wing shapes for both species (p < 0.05 for all seasonal comparisons), underscoring their adaptation to seasonal environmental conditions in coastal habitats.