Kalasin Province Research Articles

THE CULTIVATION OF MORALITY AND ETHICS FOR UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KAMALASAI DISTRICT, KALASIN PROVINCE

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the moral and ethical cultivation for upper elementary school students; 2) to study the moral and ethical cultivation for upper elementary school students in Kamalasai District, and 3) to present a moral and ethical cultivation model for upper elementary school students in Kamalasai District, Kalasin Province. This study was carried out by means of studying documents and fieldwork to interview 27 informants. The obtained data were interpreted by descriptive analysis. The research results were as follows: Moral cultivation for upper elementary school students: moral cultivation has been developed to be consistent with the changes in social and problematic conditions in each era. Cultivating morals and ethics for students is very important and it is necessary to organize training regularly. Cultivation of morality and ethics for upper elementary school students in Kamalasai District Kalasin Province: the morality and ethics cultivation of the project uses Buddhist principles, which are Pañcasīla-Pañca Dhamma principles through activities, namely the process of cultivating Mettā, Sammāājīva, Kāmasaṁvara, Sacca and Satisampajañña. The moral and ethical cultivation model for upper elementary school students in Kamalasai District, Kalasin Province: 1) the process to cultivate Mettā is performed through the fish release activity for Mettā spread on the last Friday of every month; 2) the process to cultivate Sammāājīva is performed through the activity to sell products at the Pracharat market every Tuesday; 3) the process to cultivate Kāmasaṁvara is performed through recording activities and Sīla-examination every day; 4) the process to cultivate Sacca is performed through recording activities and do as vows; 5) the process to cultivate Satisampajañña is performed through chanting and meditation activities every day before the beginning of class. The training model must be developed in many areas, such as the integration of tools and Dhamma principles to be easy to understand and suitable for the age, focusing on the participation of the participants. The media must be very modern and must be integrated with agencies involved in training to participate in the process.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORK OF PHRA SAMRET DHĪRADHAMMO (KHRUBA KAI), SAMAKKEETHAM CENTER, KHOK KHO VILLAGE, YANG TALAT SUB-DISTRICT, YANG TALAT DISTRICT, KALASIN PROVINCE

The objectives of the research were as follows: 1) to study the social work of Buddhism; 2) to study the social work roles of Phra Samret Dhīradhammo (Khruba Kai), Samakkeetham Center, Khok Kho Village, Yang Talat Sub-district, Yang Talat District, Kalasin Province; 3) to analyze the social work roles of Phra Samret Dhīradhammo (Khruba Kai). This study was carried out by means of qualitative research by conducting fieldwork to collect data through in-depth interviews. The obtained data were interpreted by descriptive analysis. The research results were as follows: The social work of Buddhism: Mental condition is a state of nature or nature that has an abstract nature. Training the mind is to prevent the mind from greed, anger, and delusion. Physical condition is the relief of being to calm physical actions, and speech with the truthful conversation to build unity among the people.The social work roles of Phra Samret Dhīradhammo (Khruba Kai), Samakkeetham Center, Khok Kho Village: Phra Samret can be a trusted figure and can help establish a complaint center “Samakkeetham”, with the purpose to listen to problems to help villagers build unity, to be the center between the people and the government and to spread Buddhism, to make people have refuge on solving various problems and have spiritual refuge.The analysis of the social work roles of Phra Samret Dhīradhammo (Khruba Kai): there is help to those who come to consult and ask for mercy, to promote education, to donate teaching materials to schools that lack modern equipment and teaching materials. Helping the people in trouble with the land to have a place to live for their families. Dhamma has been used to remind the people who come to complain about various matters, namely (1) not extravagant, to know one’s status, (2) to be diligent and (3) to be thrifty.

Plant Growth-promoting Ability and Pathogen Inhibitory Effect of Actinomycetes Isolated from Fecal Pellets of the Giant Millipede Thyropygus resimus (Diplopoda)

The microbial properties of millipede fecal pellets have been studied mainly in Glomerida (pill millipedes), and much less in the significant majority of other millipede groups. Therefore, the present study examined actinomycetes isolated from the fecal pellets of the non-glomerid giant millipede Thyropygus resimus Attems, 1938 (Spirostreptida) to (1) test their plant growth-promoting ability, and (2) evaluate their potential to control and inhibit plant pathogenic microorganisms. Millipedes were collected from Phu Kum Khao, Kalasin Province, Thailand. A total of 59 actinomycete isolates were obtained and identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces using 16S rRNA sequencing. The plant growth-promoting properties of the isolates were tested by screening four characteristics: nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubility, siderophore production, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. A nitrogen-fixation test on nitrogen-free solid malate media (NFM) showed that 54 isolates were capable of fixing nitrogen. Phosphate solubility was tested on double-layered glucose yeast extract agar (GYA) medium containing tricalcium phosphate. This showed that 42 isolates formed a clear zone around the colonies due to phosphate dissolution. Siderophore production was tested on chrome azurol sulfate (CAS) agar. This showed that 55 isolates could grow on this medium and form clear yellow to orange zones around their colonies. IAA production tests revealed that 41 isolates could produce IAA. Based on the combined results of these four tests, eight of the 59 isolates were the most effective in promoting plant growth: KLS-AC04, KLD-AC01, KLD-AC02-1, KLD-AC08, KLD-AC09, KLD-AC16, KLD-AC29-1, and KLD-AC30. Seventeen isolates inhibited the growth of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight disease in rice, more effectively than rifampicin (100 ppm), with isolate KLS-AC02-1-1 being the most effective (inhibition zone, 58.25 mm in diameter). Therefore, these isolates can be used for growth promotion and rice disease control in the future.

Local Wisdom for Bamboo Wicker Products through a Community-Based Approach in Thailand

The objectives were to study the state of community involvement in applying local wisdom to learning management, and how to involve local wisdom, such as bamboo wicker products, to manage learning in educational settings. A select group of 85 in Kut Wa Subdistrict, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province, Thailand, research contributors consisted of those with bamboo wicker skills 10 persons, teachers 20 administrators, 10 school board members, 30 community leaders, and 15 arts and crafts conservation group representatives used qualitative research through group discussions and in-depth interviews. The tools used in the research are structured interviews and content-based data analytics. The results showed that community involvement in applying local wisdom and making bamboo wicker products helped people learn. The community asks for participation in providing information about local wisdom, by planning and implementing every step, coordinating every step, jointly evaluating it, seeking stakeholder benefits from local wisdom in their communities, and developing guidelines for applying local wisdom to bamboo wicker products in learning management. It discovered that all community organizations must help promote the management of local wisdom learning. The knowledge transferor must be a person who is skilled in making bamboo wicker in the community and who is considered a teacher of local wisdom. Teachers in the school must be the liaison between the community, and the school in bringing local wisdom matters into the school premises, which must be documented in a handbook for making bamboo wicker products, with which learners can apply the advice to their learning through hands-on learning.

Problems with Teaching and Learning Thai Language for Communication Competency for Elementary School Students

Thai language is a proud cultural heritage of Thais. Moreover, Thai language for communication is one of the student core competencies which must be improved through 12 years of basic education in Thailand in order to cope with a rapidly changing trend and live happily in the 21st century. This research was carried out to explore Thai teachers’ problems with teaching Thai language for communication competency for elementary school students. The participants were 120 grade 1-3 teachers from private schools in Kalasin Province, Thailand. The questionnaires were employed to collect the personal information of the respondents and survey their problems. Percentage, mean, frequency distribution and standard deviation were applied to analyze the data. The findings revealed that problems with students’ grammatical and social-communicative competencies (M = 4.32, S.D. = .631) as well as teachers’ teaching management (M = 4.23, S.D. = .618) were at a high level. These provided useful basic information for developing a language for a communication competency-based program in the further phases.

Promoting traditional ikat textiles: ethnographic perspectives on indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage preservation and ethnic identity

Purpose This study aims to explore how indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage preservation and ethnic identity influence the production of traditional ikat textiles in northeast Thailand. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method used an ethnographic perspective with a realistic design. Purposive sampling was used to conduct 30 in-depth ethnographic interviews with members of Phu Thai ikat textile groups in Kalasin province. Interview transcripts were studied using thick descriptive analysis (themes, categorisation, coding and keywords). Findings The ethnographic study shows that natural dyeing, traditional crafts, materials, designs and patterns are used in Phu Thai ikat textile weaving. The results reveal that indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage preservation and ethnic identity are relevant to traditional ikat textiles. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study uniquely focuses on a deeper theoretical understanding of indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage preservation, to sustain traditional ikat textiles.

Fostering Grassroots Economy of the Local Community: A Lesson Learned Study

The purposes of this research are to 1) analyze the lessons learned by communities in the process of developing their basic economies, and 2) present a collaborative learning and development approach for building the underlying economy of the community. The research is qualitative and based on cultural anthropological research standards. The population used in this study consisted of 15 members of a community enterprise group in Nongpaen Sub-district, Kamalasai District, and Kalasin Province. A purposive sample of 185 people was selected. Research tools include interviews and group discussions, descriptive data analysis, and analysis. Collect data from a collection of relevant documents and ideas to present guidelines for the development of the University to Tambon (U2T) project’s grassroots economy. The results showed that: 1) community learning for essential economic growth starts with figuring out how to deal with problems; community leaders will work together to combine lessons and come up with joint solutions, and 2) community learning initiatives increase the foundation economy’s capacity for productive community enterprise growth. Three variables were discovered to have an impact on the operation: production variables, quality variables, and marketing variables. The public or private sectors must build and support the foundation economy to be stable and sustainable and promote product knowledge. The neighborhood can become independent in terms of marketing and product quality.

The Development of Environmental Education Learning on Sustainable Participation of Lamphun Sub-district, Muang District, Kalasin Province, Thailand

The objectives of this research were to 1) develop a participatory environmental education learning activity manual for sustainable environmental management for communities in Lampan sub-district, Muang district, Kalasin province (SDMDKOP); 2) study knowledge, attitudes, and participation on sustainable participative environmental management of household heads in SDMDKOP; and 3) compare levels of knowledge, attitude, and participation in the sustainable participatory environmental management of household heads in SDMDKOP with different occupations and incomes. The sample group in this research consisted of 64 heads of households in SDMDKOP communities who voluntarily participated. The research instruments were a participatory environmental education learning activity manual for sustainable environmental management for the community, a knowledge quiz, an attitude scale, and a participation measure. The statistics used in the data analysis were percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The hypothesis test statistic, t-test, F-test (one-way ANOVA), and the comparison of the mean scores by pairs by the Scheffe method. The research found the following: 1. A handbook of participatory environmental education learning activities for sustainable environmental management for SDMDKOP reported that the efficiency was 94.02/92.30, which was higher than the set threshold, and the learning effectiveness index was 0.7189 or 71.89 percent. 2. After the activity, the heads of households in SDMDKOP had higher knowledge, attitude, and participation level than before the activity. 3. Before the activity, for the heads of households in SDMDKOP with different occupations and incomes, the average level of knowledge per person was 29.04, and after the activity, the level was 36.92. People with different occupations had different attitude levels before organizing recreation area management activities (p <. 05). The contracting profession has different attitude levels for agriculture and government officials. As for the hired profession, the attitude level was different from government officials. After the activity, there was no difference in attitude level. The level of participation before and after the activities did not differ. Those with different incomes had no difference in attitude and level of participation before and after the activities.

Networking Community Planning of Local Administrative Organizations in Kalasin Province, Thailand.

This research aims to study the network construction in the community planning of local government organizations in Kalasin province, Thailand. The data collected from document research and qualitative inquiry. Synthesize and process data are done to come up with an answer to the problems under consideration. The findings revealed that, the network for creating a community plan of local government organizations in Kalasin Province has 2 types: 1. Participatory networks which help empower networks to be a plan 2. Municipality Network: networks that designated by the state municipality

Performance of Mini Parasep® SF stool concentrator kit, Kato-Katz, and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods for diagnosis of opisthorchiasis in Northeast Thailand

BackgroundControl and elimination of the liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) is a primary preventive strategy against cholangiocarcinoma in Southeast Asia. A sensitive parasitological diagnostic method is required to facilitate a surveillance and control program. In this study, we evaluated the performance of Mini Parasep® SF stool concentrator kit (stool kit) compared with Kato-Katz (KK) and the quantitative formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) for detection of O. viverrini and co-endemic parasitic infections.MethodsA cross-sectional survey for parasitic infection in residents aged > 15 years in a community in Kalasin province, Northeast Thailand, was conducted in 2018. Fecal samples were collected and screened by KK method, and a subset of samples was further examined by the stool kit and FECT methods. The results were analyzed for prevalence of parasitic infections in addition to the diagnostic performance of the methods for qualitative and quantitative detection of helminthiases.ResultsThe initial survey of parasitic infection determined by the KK method (n = 567) showed the prevalence of O. viverrini was 32.63%, followed by Taenia 2.65%, echinostomes 1.76%, hookworms 1.41%, Trichuris trichiura 0.53% and Strongyloides stercoralis 0.53%. Within a subset of samples tested with multiple diagnostics (n = 150), the detection rates of O. viverrini by the stool kit, FECT and KK methods were 27.3%, 30.7% and 28.7%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity for opisthorchiasis was similar for FECT (75.5%), KK(66.0%) and the stool kit (67.3%). For other parasitic infections, FECT and stool kit methods performed better than KK, particularly in detecting minute intestinal flukes (MIF), S. stercoralis and coinfections. When measuring the intensity of O. viverrini infection (fecal egg counts), the stool kit results showed a significant positive correlation with KK and FECT (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAs the stool kit is simple to use and shows a comparable performance to FECT, it may serve as an alternative method of fecal examination for screening of helminthiasis including opisthorchiasis.Graphical abstract

Morphology, mating system and taxonomy of Volvox africanus (Volvocaceae, Chlorophyceae) from Thailand

BackgroundThe oogamous green algal genus Volvox exhibits extensive diversity in mating systems, including heterothallism and homothallism with unisexual (male and/or female) and/or bisexual spheroids. Although four mating systems have been recognized worldwide in strains identified as “Volvox africanus”, most of these strains are extinct. However, we previously rediscovered two types of the four mating systems (heterothallic, and homothallic with male and bisexual spheroids within a clone) from an ancient Japanese lake, Lake Biwa.ResultsHere, we obtained strains exhibiting the third mating system (homothallic with unisexual male and female spheroids within a clone) from a freshwater area of Kalasin Province, Thailand. When sexual reproduction was induced in the present Thai strains, both male and female unisexual spheroids developed to form smooth-walled zygotes within a clonal culture. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region-2 of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences from all four mating systems, including the extinct strains, resolved the third mating system is basal or paraphyletic within the homothallic clade.ConclusionsThe present morphological and molecular data of the Thai strains indicate that they belong to the homothallic species V. africanus. The phylogenetic results suggested that third mating system (homothallic with separate male and female sexual spheroids) may represent an initial evolutionary stage of transition from heterothallism to homothallism within Volvox africanus. Further field collections in geologically stable intracontinental regions may be fruitful for studying diversity and taxonomy of the freshwater green algal genus Volvox.

Praewa, the Queen of Silk: Phu Tai Ethnic Identity and Invented Tradition in Kalasin Province, Thailand

Praewa, the Queen of Silk: Phu Tai Ethnic Identity and Invented Tradition in Kalasin Province, Thailand

Prevention's Model of Teenage Pregnancy

Abstract: This research studied was a systematic review research aims to 1) study the situation and problems of teenager’s pregnancy in Kalasin Province 2) analyze the situation of teenager’s pregnancy and 3) synthesize research results from literature to utilizations. Conduct to quantitative and qualitative reviews of literature and research. The result was 1) the situation and problem of teenager’s pregnancy in Kalasin province had the lower teenager’s pregnancy and birth rate. But the incidence of pregnant women death in 2020 found that there were 2 teenager’s mothers and teenagers a mother terminating their pregnancies in 2017-2019 was 18, 7 and 12 cases, respectively. 2) An analysis of the situation of teenager’s pregnancy was found that there was factors involved which is a common problem in teen pregnancy and the impact of teenager’s pregnancy. There are many models or methods of managing teenager’s pregnancy problems. 3) Results of research synthesis to provide adaptation it was preventive patterns of teen pregnancy were reflected. The factors that premature pregnancy are beliefs, values and attitudes that are important to the environment from family, friends, technology and media levels and activities promoting the prevention of teenager’s pregnancy include learning activities teenager’s pregnancy prevention program. Through providing information and prevention model to solve the problem of pre-teenager’s pregnancy with public health agencies as the main. However, the effects of teenager’s pregnancy consist of effects on that individual level. The impact on the family level national impact. Suggestion should be promoted to work both proactive and reactive in both hospitals and departments. They should also be designed to prevent teenager’s pregnancy. In addition, policies should be promoted to prevent teenager’s pregnancy both nationally and internationally. Community and family and there should be a developmental study in order to change attitudes towards teen pregnancy.

Ethnobotany of edible plants in Muang District, Kalasin Province, Thailand

Abstract. Phatlamphu N, Saensouk S, Saensouk P, Jungsongduang A. 2021. Ethnobotany of edible plants in Muang District, Kalasin Province, Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 5425- 5431. Edible plants have been used as a food source and have had other purposes since ancient times, but urbanization and modernization might be obscuring traditional knowledge. Therefore, this research aimed to conduct a study on the ethnobotany of indigenous people in Muang District, Kalasin Province based on edible plants by focusing on their specific uses. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions from March 2019 to February 2021. Quantitative analysis was applied using the Cultural Important Index (CI), Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Cluster analysis based on the Jaccard’s Similarity Index (JI) was calculated for the similarity of edible plant uses in four communities is as follows: urban/semi-urban (UB), forest community (FC), wetland community (WC) and community in valley (CV). There were 140 edible plant species that belonged to 125 genera and 62 families. The most important edible plants species were Tamarindus indica which had a CI of 2.65 followed by Bambusa bambos (2.00) and Citrus hystrix (1.90). The highest FL value is given for 51 edible plant species with 100% FL. The ICF is a range of 0 to 1; the most consensus of ailment categories was the treatment of wound (ICF = 1.00). The JI varied between 0.2640 and 0.2971; the highest JI was the pairs of WC and FC. UPGMA cluster analysis indicated that UB is isolated as they have less similarity to other communities. The results show a risk of traditional knowledge loss due to the expansion of the economic system at all levels and the advancement of modern medicine.

Comparison of polymerase chain reaction and microscopy for the detection of Fasciola spp. in the fecal matter of domestic bovines in Kalasin Province, Thailand.

Background and Aim:Fasciola spp. are important foodborne trematodes and waterborne zoonotic parasites that cause health problems and economic losses worldwide, including in Thailand. Fasciola spp. are usually detected by sedimentation or the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) under microscopy, which is less specific and sensitive. Accurate detection is important to detect real incidence for protection against and elimination of fasciolosis in the area. This study aimed to determine the distribution of Fasciola spp. and compare the specificity and sensitivity of FECT under microscopy to that of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in cattle feces.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted in Kalasin Province, Thailand. Feces of 46 cattle were investigated for infection with Fasciola spp. To detect infection, FECT under microscopy and PCR amplification of the 28S rRNA gene of Fasciola spp. were used to identify egg parasites.Results:Feces of 16 of 46 (34.78%) cattle were positive for Fasciola spp. using FECT under microscopy, whereas PCR showed that 67.39% (31 of 46) were positive for Fasciola spp. False-negative results were as high as 32.61% when diagnosed under microscopy.Conclusion:This study confirmed the infection of cattle with Fasciola spp. in Kalasin Province, indicating that PCR demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity when diagnosing infection. FECT under microscopy can still be used as a primary and traditional method for diagnosis. However, relapse cases of Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. should be diagnosed by microscopy combined with PCR. This is the first report on the molecular distribution of fecal samples in cattle in Kalasin Province.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle in Kalasin Province, Thailand.

Background and Aim:Parasitic infections are one of the major problems to the production of cattle in Thailand. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of cattle in Kalasin Province, Thailand.Materials and Methods:A total of 333 fecal samples of cattle were collected directly from the rectum. The fecal samples were subjected to formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods for examination. The eggs or oocysts were identified based on the morphology and size of the eggs or oocysts.Results:Out of 333 fecal samples examined, 320 were found positive for GI parasitic infections with a prevalence of 96.09%. Overall, among the prevalence of nematodes, trematodes, and protozoa, the most prevalent parasites were Strongyle-type 278 (84.24%), followed by Strongyloides spp. 54 (16.36%) and Trichuris spp. 75 (22.73%), while Protozoan oocyst recorded Eimeria spp. amounted to 131 (39.7%). Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. were 67 (20.30%) and 81 (24.55%), respectively. Most of the positive fecal samples were infected with the double infection which has the highest prevalence rate of about 40.24%, followed by single, three, and 4-5 types of parasites 30.63, 16.82, and 7.21%, respectively.Conclusion:This study suggests that Kalasin Province is highly endemic for GI parasites and this area may be an important source for an outbreak. Therefore, every household should deworm its cattle and eliminate and control snails as intermediate hosts. Findings from this study provide information that will assist in improving the cattle in Kalasin Province for better production and higher profitability.

Co-occurrence of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis and Angiostrongylus cantonensis DNA in cerebrospinal fluid: Evidence from human eosinophilic meningitis after ingestion of raw snail dish in Thailand

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the main causative agent of human neuroangiostrongyliasis, is a food-borne parasitic zoonosis, particularly in Southeast Asia and Mainland China. Angiostrongylus malaysiensis, a cryptic species, has not been unequivocally identified as a causative agent for human angiostrongyliasis. Here, we investigated a local incidence of human angiostrongyliasis in Kalasin Province, northeastern part of Thailand. Field and laboratory investigations, clinical symptoms, and treatment of the disease are also discussed. Five sera and three cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken from each patient who displayed clinical symptoms of mild or severe headache without neck stiffness after ingesting a local dish containing Pila virescens. With molecular evidence using PCR and DNA sequencing approaches, we confirmed the presence of A. malaysiensis and A. cantonensis DNA in the patient samples. In addition, P. virescens and Pomacea canaliculata collected in the vicinity were also examined for the existence of angistrongylid larvae. The rate of infection in the snail population was 33.3% (18 infection out of 54 examined), with A. cantonensis as the predominant species. Notably, two snails were found to be co-infected with both A. malaysiensis and A. cantonensis. This discovery comes after several years of suspicion that it could be a zoonotic pathogen. Therefore, our findings are important for public health and clinical diagnosis since clinicians are not aware of the zoonotic potential of A. malaysiensis in humans.

The modification of dry season cropping pattern with the maximum net income possibility in Lam Pao operation and maintenance project, Kalasin province

This research aims to find the solution for the dry season irrigation problem in Lam Pao operation and maintenance project, Kalasin province. The modification of dry season cropping pattern was a process when the irrigation water was shortage. The long-term data records from 1987 to 2020, a total of 33 years, the maximum cultivated area was in 2020. The total area of 300,353 rai were 295,304 rai of dry season rice, 97 rai of field crops, 100 rai of vegetables, 1,496 rai of fish ponds and 3,356 rai of shrimp ponds. The minimum cultivated area was in 1994. The total area of of 3,419 rai were 209 rai of dry season rice, 2,552 rai of field crops, 488 rai of vegetables. 35 rai of fishponds and 135 rai of shrimp ponds. The dry season area in 2020, 10 crop varieties, were glutinous rice, rice, sweet corn, watermelon seeds, seed, cantaloupe seeds, tomato seeds, asparagus, fishpond and shrimp pond. The crop with maximum net income was cantaloupe seeds, 446,000 baht/rai of net profit. The other crops with lower net income in descending order were tomato seeds 363,600 baht/rai, zucchini seeds 76,450 baht/rai, shrimp pond 49,000 baht/rai, watermelon seeds 18,500 baht/rai, asparagus 16,000 baht/rai, fishpond 12,000 baht/rai, glutinous rice 4,904 baht/rai, rice 1,514 baht/rai and sweet corn 1,200 baht/rai. However, the modification of dry season cropping pattern concerned not only the maximum net income but also the farming skill, market demand and farmer lifestyle.

Relationship between the water storage and cultivated area in the dry season in Lam Pao Operation and Maintenance Project

This research aims to study the relationship between water storage and cultivated area in the dry season. The study was in the Lam Pao operation and maintenance project, Kalasin province. The long term data records from 1987 to 2020, a total of 33 years, including the amount of water storage in the Lam Pao reservoir and the cultivated area in the dry season (December to May) were analyzed using the Multiple Regression Analysis. The results of the study showed that the maximum cultivated area was in 2020. The total area of 300,353 rai comprised of 295,304 rai of dry season rice, 97 rai of field crops, 100 rai of vegetables, 1,496 rai of fish pond and 3,356 rai of shrimp pond. The minimum cultivated area was in 1994. The total area of of 3,419 rai comprised of 209 rai of dry season rice, 2,552 rai of field crops, 488 rai of vegetables. 35 rai of fish ponds and 135 rai of shrimp ponds. It can be concluded that the amount of water storage at the beginning of the dry season is significantly correlated with cultivated area in the dry season.

Masculinity and misinformation: Social dynamics of liver fluke infection risk in Thailand.

Liver fluke infection through the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish is a major public health problem in the Mekong Region. Despite the extensive efforts of liver fluke health campaigns, Northeast Thailand still reports high human infection prevalence as consumption of raw fish dishes has diminished but not ceased. This study examines the roles of social-cultural factors, particularly the influences of masculinity and misinformation, on liver fluke infection risk. Participant observation, questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted in four villages in Kalasin Province, Thailand, to scrutinize reasons for raw fish consumption, gender differences in raw fish culture, processes of liver fluke information dissemination, and the extent of information mismatch. Our results show that one of the key reasons (76.9%) underlying continued raw fish consumption are deeply embedded cultural practices associated with ways of rural life. About 30% of the participants indicated that they would not avoid eating raw fish, regardless of knowing the health consequences. Gender difference is evident, with 75.6% of males consuming raw fish salad (koi pla), compared to 42.7% of females. Some male participants associate raw meat consumption with virility and strength. Such beliefs underscore the cultural linkage of koi pla consumption with masculinity. Misconceptions of liver fluke life cycle and risk of infection remain, as only 15.3% of the participants correctly selected raw fish as the food source for liver fluke infection while 84.2% misunderstood that other raw foods could lead to infection. The multi-layered and hierarchical structure of public health information dissemination from medical professionals to health officers and village health volunteers to villagers has contributed to information mismatch between different layers. Our study builds on others which call for multi-pronged scientific and social strategies, as well as culturally attuned approaches to public health messaging. The study raises masculinity and misinformation as relevant considerations in disease prevention. Incorporating grounded research and gendered perspectives are part of appreciating the cultural roots of raw fish consumption. Realizing the significant role of village health volunteers in information dissemination and in supplying coherent public health messages is vital for effective health campaigns.