Eastern Economic Research Articles

Short-distance versus long-distance deep-seaport container truck drivers’ prevalence and perceived discomfort of musculoskeletal symptoms in the Thailand Eastern Economic Corridor

Objectives. This research aimed to study the prevalence and perceived discomfort of musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms among short-distance and long-distance deep-seaport truck drivers. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis using a standardized modified version of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was carried out using direct interviews with 25 male participants: 15 short-distance and 10 long-distance truck drivers. Results. As much as 88% was reported for the existence of MSK symptoms in the past 12 months. Considering all truck groups, regardless of short or long distance, the lower back was found with the highest prevalence (72%) followed by the neck (32%). The χ2 test showed long-distance truck drivers had statistically significantly more prevalence in the neck (p = 0.028) than short-distance drivers. Perceived discomfort by the Borg CR10 scale confirmed the lower back had the highest score (2.4) followed by the neck (1.44). The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that long-distance truck drivers had significantly higher scores on the lower back and neck (p = 0.039 and p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion. Longer exposure to prolonged non-natural working postures, vibration, traffic conditions and working stress could be the judicial causes. To minimize this problem, integrated interventions need to be implemented with particular measures among short-distance and long-distance truck drivers.

Economic Development Policies and Land Use Changes in Thailand: From the Eastern Seaboard to the Eastern Economic Corridor

The Thai government’s project called “Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)” was announced in 2016 to stimulate economic development and help the country escape from the middle-income trap. The project provides investment incentives for the private sector and the infrastructure development of land, rail, water, and air transportation. The EEC project encompasses three provinces in the eastern region of Thailand because of their strategic locations near deep seaports and natural resources in the Gulf of Thailand. Clearly, this policy will lead to dramatic changes in land uses and the livelihoods of the people in these three provinces. However, the extent to which land use changes will occur because of this project remains unclear. This study aims to analyze land use changes in the eastern region of Thailand using a Cellular Automata–Markov model. The results show that land uses of the coastal areas have become more urbanized than inland areas, which are primarily agricultural lands. The predicted land uses suggest shrinking agricultural lands of paddy fields, field crops, and horticulture lands but expanding perennial lands. These changes in land uses highlight challenges in urban administration and management as well as threats to Thailand’s agricultural cultures in the future.

Framing Russia in the Estonian, German, and Bulgarian Online Media: Coverage of Two Concrete Events

The article provides a short theoretical discussion of framing in news and its role in the construction of reality. They present their approach to frame analysis by showcasing the coverage of two concrete events (the explosion in Arkhangelsk Oblast on August 8, 2019; the Eastern Economic Forum, that took place in Vladivostok on 4–6 September 2019) in Russia by the Estonian, German, and Bulgarian online media, with an emphasis on the Estonian news portals. The analysis rests on the assumption that individual members of society base their actions on the meanings that different events have to them; thus, an analysis of media constructions can explain people’s attitudes to specific social phenomena. Journalists play a crucial role in the formation of public attitudes towards the events that take place outside the country borders. Journalistic framing is based on the choices journalists make guided by their professional standards. It is demonstrated that the journalists working for the news portals under discussion generally use a rather narrow scope of frames in picturing Russia. On the one hand, these frames indicate limited access to information, while on the other hand, the use of frames by the journalists indicates their intention to attract the readership’s attention, the need to present the reality in a simplified and easily understandable form, etc. The authors concluded that their findings indicate certain trends in framing Russia in the traditional EU online media, and argue for the necessity to pay more attention to the selection of information in online media newsrooms.

The Coverage Area for Extended Delivery Service in Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC): A Case of Thailand Post Co., Ltd

The Coverage Area for Extended Delivery Service in Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC): A Case of Thailand Post Co., Ltd

Analysis of the Production and Consumption of Thermal Energy in the Arctic Regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

A comparative assessment of thermal energy production and consumption efficiency to the Arctic region in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is presented in this article. Existing problems and risks in the heat supply have been identified based on the analysis and the recommendations on the effective heating of the Tomponsky district in the Eastern Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) are given. The results of the study allow us to develop sound recommendations for the efficient production and consumption of thermal energy in the context of the settlements in the Tomponsky district of the Eastern Economic Zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

The Model of Basic Education Curriculum Administration according to Buddhist Principles in Eastern Economic Corridor

The purposes of this research were 1) study the current states of the school curriculum administration 2) to develop
 the model of basic education curriculum administration according to Buddhist principles in Eastern Economic Corridor and 3) to evaluate the model. Quantitative research and qualitative research were used and research tools were interview form and questionnaires. Data were collected from in-depth interview, focus group discussion and document analysis. Qualitative data from 20 key informants was analyzed by using content analysis whereas quantitative data collected from 265 samples was analyzed by using content analysis, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Results indicated that 1) the current states of the school curriculum administration of basic education institution in Eastern Economic Corridor in 5 variables found that overall it was appropriate at a high level. When considered individually, it was found that there were two most appropriate levels, namely supervision, monitoring and promotion. 2) The results of the model development that consists of 4 parts: 1. Educational curriculum management process consists of three dimensions. 2. The application of Buddhist principles in the school curriculum administration consists of three principles of the Threefold Training. 3. The key players of the school curriculum administration and 4. The7 results of the using of the model. 3) The model evaluation with 4-sided: Utility, Accuracy, Propriety and Feasibility found that the overall were appropriate at the highest level in all aspects. Sorted as follows: The Utility aspect was the highest, followed by the Accuracy, Propriety and Feasibility.

Helminths of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Units of Conservation Management and Sustainable Use of Wildlife Installed in the Eastern Economic Region of Mexico.

Simple SummaryWild boars (Sus scrofa) were introduced in Mexico for sport hunting and meat trading for human consumption, but their role in the transmission of diseases to human or domestic animals is limited. Thus, we did research looking for parasitic worms in wild boars that live in three units of conservation management and sustainable use of wildlife installed in the eastern economic region of Mexico. Samples of feces and serum were collected from 90 animals that came from three different ranches. Stool examination and antibody determination were performed. Eggs of Strongyloides sp. (72.2%), Metastrongylus sp. (57.7%), Oesophagostomum sp. (53.3%), and Trichuris sp. (37.7%) were found in addition to oocysts of Eimeria sp. (75.6%). Antibodies to Fasciola (8.9%), Taenia (4.4%), Ascaris (32.2%), Toxocara (20%), and Trichinella (5.5%) were found. This is the first report of parasitic worms of wild boar produced in Mexico. The importance of the results is based on the limited data available about the impact of wild boar and feral pigs on the transmission of diseases to domestic animals. This study identifies the potential risk of wild boar as a transmission channel of diseases than can have an impact on public health.Wild boars (Sus scrofa) were introduced in Mexico for sport hunting and meat trading for human consumption, but the available data regarding their role in pathogen transmission are limited. This research and field work aimed to identify the helminths of the wild boar produced in three units of conservation management and sustainable use of wildlife placed in the eastern economic region of Mexico. Samples of feces and serum were collected from 90 animals that came from three different ranches. Stool examination and antibody determination to Fasciola hepatica, Taenia crassciceps, Ascaris suum, Toxocara canis (ELISA), and Trichinella spiralis (Western blot) were performed. In addition, 30 diaphragm samples from one ranch were obtained for artificial digestion. Eggs of Strongyloides sp. (72.2%), Metastrongylus sp. (57.7%), Oesophagostomum sp. (53.3%), and Trichuris sp. (37.7%) were found in addition to oocysts of Eimeria sp. (75.6%). Antibodies to Fasciola (8.9%), Taenia (4.4%), Ascaris (32.2%), Toxocara (20%), and Trichinella (5.5%) were found. The eggs of Strongyloides and Oesophagostomum were associated to female hosts. One nematode larva was found by artificial digestion. This is the first report to identify helminths from wild boars in Mexico. In addition, this study identifies the potential risk of the wild boar as a transmission channel of parasites that can have an impact on public health.

Partnership towards Synergistic Municipal Solid Waste Management Services in a Coastal Tourism Sub-Region

Solid waste generated on land could potentially contribute continuously to marine waste, with current municipal solid waste management (MSWM) focusing on human-related activities as the main source. While there has been challenges and opportunities in the MSWM’s partnership in the growing waste generation for the coastal tourism area, the aim of this study is to explore public and private sectors as the key players to identify challenges, opportunities, and need for further analysis of the synergistic MSWM services in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand. A mixed-method approach was adopted, including primary data collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys. Content analysis, descriptive statistics, and chi-square tests were applied. The results show that the public sector has different MSWM strategies—with public-private partnership (PPP) and without PPP, with many challenges in the EEC region—while the private sector has a lot of potential for MSWM effectiveness. The synergistic opportunities from both sectors can therefore be considered for possible integration into four aspects: challenging synergies within the public sector, potential synergies via the private sector, synergies with a cross-sectoral partnership, and synergies through other types of partnership. Additionally, a synergic partnership was another appropriate approach for MSWM services enhancement.

How to work with China in our Far East? (on the eve of the Eastern Economic Forum-2021)

On September 2-4, 2021, the Annual VI Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok. The forum is aimed at promoting Russia in Asia and attracting Asian investments to the Far Eastern regions. In applied economic terms, Russian-Chinese relations clearly need diversification of interaction, the formation of a number of additional economic, administrative, legal and infrastructural opportunities for more active attraction of China to the Far East on trade and investment tracks.

Governmental Forums with International Participation as a Foreign Policy Tool: the Experience of Russia and the North-East Asia Countries

The article examines the phenomenon of a government forum with international participation. Using the example of the Asian Economic Forum in Boao, the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok and the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, we analyzed the foreign policy meaning of such forums, identified their general and specific features, and defined this phenomenon. The East Asian case seems especially representative in the study of government forums, since the lack of trust and numerous historical, ideological, military, economic and other tensions make it difficult to create a regional intergovernmental organization similar to the European Union. The methodology of our research is «generalist realism», which considers the growth of supranational organizations in the 21st century quite logical. It is due to the desire of countries to facilitate cooperation, although it is carried out in the interests of any great power. It is concluded that the growing interest of national governments in this format of diplomacy is due to three factors. First, the host country expects to have a decisive influence on the formation of the agenda, the course of discussions, the preparation of possible political agreements, that is to create a new international institution under its control. Secondly, the host country seeks to expand economic cooperation and attract foreign investment, because most of these forums are called economic. It is extremely difficult to trace the correlation between investments and forums, but it seems incorrect to completely deny it, because forums with the participation of senior political figures and major businessmen increase the recognition of the host location. Thirdly, the host country is trying to improve its international image through forums, which directly depends on the political and economic status of the participants and the significance of the problems on the forum's agenda.

The Electrical Energy Modeling of the Modular Off-Grid PV System for Aquaculture Application in the EEC Region

Renewable energy as a solar photovoltaic system represents an essential role in improving and promoting energy sustainability in agricultural/aquaculture-related activities. The “Crab Bank” is the program on practicing the caught gravid females of Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) in supporting conditions, allowing them to spawn and then release the zoea and young crabs back to the sea where are in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Onward with the project, many scientific studies assess the BSC stocks condition, evaluate the fishing habitat, and other relevant issues as the energy used in a micro-indoor system as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). The off-grid solar photovoltaic system is used in the system cause the installed location was near the seaside area. The system’s large size was operating, including solar panels, inverter, charger, and batteries to maintain the AC motor pump, affecting much energy loss in the system. The off-grid solar system design for modular systems is represented in this paper to describe the new structure of the micro modular RAS that reduces cost and increases the solar system’s efficiency in modular concepts comparing the traditional system. The new structure model represents the calculation result in the term of electrical energy and experiment to scale for replacement in the aquaculture area in Rayong or Jantaburi in the EEC region. This research is a cooperation between KMUTNB Rayong and the Provincial Energy Office Of Rayong.

РОССИЙСКИЙ ДАЛЬНИЙ ВОСТОК: УЙТИ НЕЛЬЗЯ ОСТАТЬСЯ. ИНФРАСТРУКТУРА КАК ФАКТОР МИГРАЦИОННОЙ ПРИВЛЕКАТЕЛЬНОСТИ РЕГИОНОВ ДФО

The problems of the demographic development of the regions of the Russian Far East are on the agenda of many federal and regional discussion platforms. Opportunities for sustainable demographic development in conjunction with socio-economic development were also discussed at the recent Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok. Unfortunately, the demographic results of 2020 showed that despite significant efforts from the Russian Government, the population decline in the federal district continues, and the coronavirus pandemic has given additional losses. In this context, the work discusses the prospects and barriers to the development of the macroregion, strengthening its position in national ratings. Particular attention is paid to the problems of infrastructure development, both social and transport. The availability of various social facilities for the local population, intraregional and interregional transport connectivity are important factors in securing the local population, as well as the formation of the migration attractiveness of the macroregion for Russians from other constituent entities of the Russian Federation and international migrants.

Indonesian Transmigration and the Crisis of Development, 1968–1985

In 1983 a reporter from the Far Eastern Economic Review visited a Balinese headman, inspecting a long row of tiny new homes recently built for himself and one hundred other families from his village. This was not Bali, however, but a new town carved out of the forest in the sparsely populated Luwu district of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where nearly 43,000 people had moved from Java and Bali since 1970. These villagers were participants in Indonesia’s transmigration program, which between 1972 and 1990 resettled nearly five million people, mostly poor, landless farmers, from the densely populated islands of Java and Bali to more than 3,000 new settlements in Southern Sumatra, Aceh, Kalimantan, West Papua, Sulawesi, East Timor, and other parts of Indonesia. Jakarta spent nearly $10 billion in the process, reshaping the lives of millions of ordinary Indonesians on both ends of the migration chain and changing the fabric of...

Ecosystem Service Value of the Mixed Land Use Pattern in Asia: Thailand’s Experience

The rapid increase in economic development and urbanisation along the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand has accelerated the change in its ecosystem service value (ESV), leading to the demand for related analysis to ensure sustainable growth in the area. The aim of this study is to: (1) evaluate the land use change in Chonburi Province; the most urbanised city in the EEC of Thailand between 2006 and 2016, and (2) assess the land use change impact on ESV. Secondary data from land use maps for 2006 and 2016 was used to evaluate land use change and its impact on ESV using the land use transition matrix, land use dynamic degree, and the benefit transfer method. Urban and built-up land use were found to dominate other use types. The top three highest annual rates of land use change were found in water bodies, rangeland, and urban and built-up land. The ESV in 2016 was found to be 1.31% higher than for 2006. The ecosystem service functions (ESFs) contributing to the increase in ESV were waste treatment, hydrological regulation, climate regulation and recreation and service culture. Future land use planning should focus on increasing wetlands and protecting agricultural land in the study area since these contribute to the highest ESV. In addition, it is essential to balance economic development with ecological enhancement.

О перспективах Дальнего Востока после саммита АТЭС-2012

<span>Проведен анализ последствий прошедшего восемь лет назад саммита АТЭС во Владивостоке: как принималось решение о проведении мероприятия, какие объекты построены, как это отразилось на социально-экономической ситуации в городе и Приморском крае, какие инвестиционные проекты после саммита реализуются на территории Дальнего Востока, и насколько предпринятые усилия повлияли на отток населения. Утверждается, что сырьевая направленность экономической специализации является главной причиной сохраняющейся высокой миграции, тогда как курс на новую индустриализацию и инновационное развитие может принципиально изменить ситуацию. Предлагается набор мер, которые смогут обеспечить переход к новому типу хозяйствования: во взаимоотношениях власти и потенциальных резидентов территорий опережающего развития и свободного порта Владивосток; в организации пространства и формировании агломерации нового типа; в трансформации роли и содержания работы Восточного экономического форума и уточнении миссии федерального университета.</span>

The Marketing Ethical Strategies of Thailand’s Organic Rice Based on Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

Despite being one of the world’s major exporters of food, Thailand is facing mounting problems concerning unstainable agriculture practices. Organic farming could help to address environmental, social and economic issues, organic rice practices are proven to improve soil fertility, foster biodiversity, increase economic yield. The stakeholders of organic rice practices should adopt the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) favorable policies and embrace the digital era. The increased utilization of smart organic farming technology and greater access of corporate social responsibility could help to add the organic rice value and enlarge the export volumes to international markets. The effectively implementation of the marketing ethical strategies could help to reduce Thailand’s rice famer heavy household debt and get out of Thai poverty debt traps.

Promoting Health Literacy to Prevent Depression Among Workers in Industrial Factories in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand.

PurposeThis study aimed to identify the factors associated with depression among workers in industrial factories in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand. Additionally, a guidebook was created to evaluate the suitability and appropriateness of the health literacy of the workers to prevent depression.MethodsThis study applied a mixed method from May 2019 to May 2020. Two-stage sampling was used to recruit samples. A total of 416 workers were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Moreover, 20 stakeholders enrolled in two focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured interview questionnaire to explore situations and develop a guidebook. Descriptive statistical, multivariable logistic regression, and content analysis were applied to analyze the data. Both quantitative and qualitative data were used in the development of the guidebook, which were further tested and evaluated by interviewing the 20 stakeholders.ResultsDepression was found in 17.1% of the workers. Job position (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 7.14), hours of online media use (ORadj = 1.87), moody/anxious (ORadj = 5.35), avoiding people (ORadj = 9.12), and self-behavior modification to prevent depression (ORadj = 2.41) were associated with significant depression. The FGDs revealed that stakeholders had blurred perceptions of stress and depression. The sample of industrial factory workers was subjected to workload time constraints but had low level of screening for depression. Online media was used only for working in industries. The guidebook was very interesting and useful for stakeholders and contained definitions and symptoms of depression, self-screening and self-care strategies, consultation and hotline contacts, and health literacy improvement guidelines for factory and health personnel to prevent depression.ConclusionThis study confirmed that online media and health literacy were imperative factors to address depression among workers in industrial factories. The guidebook was developed based on health literacy and help prevent depression among workers in industrial settings.

ปัจจัยที่มีอิทธิพลต่อการตัดสินใจติดตั้งระบบผลิตไฟฟ้าจากเซลล์แสงอาทิตย์บนหลังคาของโรงงานอุตสาหกรรมในเขตพื้นที่ระเบียงเศรษฐกิจพิเศษภาคตะวันออก

ปัจจัยที่มีอิทธิพลต่อการตัดสินใจติดตั้งระบบผลิตไฟฟ้าจากเซลล์แสงอาทิตย์บนหลังคาของโรงงานอุตสาหกรรมในเขตพื้นที่ระเบียงเศรษฐกิจพิเศษภาคตะวันออก

Land cover classification in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) using convolutional neural network on satellite images

Land cover plays an integral role in urban management as a source of information to support authorities’ decision making. Recently, computer vision methods, machine learning algorithms in particular, are increasingly used for land cover and land use mapping, which can help make these processes more efficient and more affordably. To this end, this paper focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence using convolutional neural network (CNN) to propose a new method for land cover mapping. A first CNN model is trained with a large number of 4 image classes to obtain a land cover model. We then apply the model directly on satellite images that are cropped into images of the same size as the training images. The results of the direct application of the model is not satisfactory; in particular, it confuses water and forested areas. The paper propose a different approach where land cover model is obtained by combining 2 models in series. The first model is a binary-class CNN model which contains classification of two classes (water, land) while the second model is a three-class CNN model containing classification of land, excluding non-water areas. Global accuracy obtained is 98% and 91% for the binary- and three-class CNN model respectively. This approach is used successfully on large area satellite images.

Analysis of Covering Problem Models for Setting the Location of a Ready-Mixed Concrete Plant: Case Study of the Rayong Province, Thailand

Decision makers must prepare good plans when developing large-scale projects. The Thai government has been increasing economic growth in three provinces under the Eastern Economic Corridor Development Program (EEC). The project includes reconstruction and new construction. This paper aims to find locations for several ready-mixed concrete plants to cover all ready-mixed concrete needs in the Rayong province. The plant location problem could be solved using optimization modelling for a set covering location problem (SCLP) and a maximal covering location problem (MCLP). The results show that two ready-mixed concrete plants location in the Mueang Rayong district and Klaeng district could meet the problem solution.