Southern Thai Research Articles

Metacognitive Reading Strategies with Southern Thai University Students

This research was designed to account for metacognitive reading strategies employed by undergraduate students in southern Thai context. The study examined the reading strategy use from both successful and less successful readers: 371 university student who experienced reading courses at tertiary level. through a quantitative mean using a survey and a qualitative mean using a semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics: percentages, means, standard deviation, were used in quantitative data analysis. Additionally, t-tests were used to prove if there were any statistically significant differences between successful and less successful readers in employing metacognitive reading strategies. The findings demonstrated that successful readers tended to utilize metacognitive reading strategies higher than less successful readers at 52.36% and 46.03%, respectively. In addition, it was found that there were statistically significant differences between the successful readers and the less successful readers regarding their metacognitive reading strategy use (p<.05). The main resultsrevealed that the successful readers tended to plan before they read, monitor their comprehension and evaluate their used strategies. Meanwhile, the less successful readers, although, seemed to show some metacognition awareness, the deficiency use of metacognitive strategies could be a hindrance to their reading achievement. Consequently, this study urges that metacognitive reading strategies should be instructed in classes to raise the students’ awareness towards the available strategies, and to make less successful readers become successful readers.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RELIGIOUS CULTURE FOR PRATHOM LEVEL IN BAKONG PITTAYA SCHOOL PATTANI, THAILAND

This article was written to know more about the effort to maintain the Islamic identity and religion of Southern Thai Muslims in the middle of Buddhist authority and society. They maintain, express and symbolize their identity through some ways, one of them is through the Islamic school. The school can be the medium to reach it and internalize religious values as well. It can be the medium to influence the growth of religion sense, morals, and other aspects in order to maintain their faith. The aim of this research is to describe the implementation of religious culture in the prathom (elementary) level in Bakong Pittaya School Pattani, Thailand. The type of the research is field research. The data collecting method used in this study are observation, interview, and documentation. From the result of research, the writer found that the implementation of reaching religious culture is using the instructive sequential strategy through creating the religious atmosphere, values internalization, good example, habituation, and civilizing religious culture. Meanwhile, in civilizing religious culture, this school uses the power strategy with the reward-punishment approach and persuasive strategy with the habituation and exemplary approach. Moreover, there are 14 religious culture forms in the prathom level of Bakong Pittaya School, Pattani, Thailand.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Related Factors in Thais with Stable COPD

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and related factors of the southern Thai patients with stable COPD. The sample consisted of 126 patients with stable COPD attending the out-patient pulmonary clinic of Thasala hospital. The patients were assessed for HRQL by the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), age, BMI, depression, dyspnea by the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), exercise capacity by the 6 min walk distance (6MWD), and admission. The results found that 84 % of patients were male, with a mean age of 69.6 years, FEV1 70 (9.6) % predicted, BMI 21.9 (4.4) and 6MWD 259.8 (97.9). The HRQL indicated mild impairment: symptoms 47.1 (22.4), activity 49.7 (30.3), impact 41.9 (21.2) and total scores of 45.1 (21.7). The regression analysis showed that HRQL was significantly associated with exercise capacity, depression, and MRC dyspnea respectively (R2 = 0.492, p < 0.01). Therefore, stable COPD patients should be assessed and motivated to pulmonary rehabilitation for promoting clinical outcomes and also improving their HRQL.

Quantitative Trait Loci Influencing Hb F Levels in Southern Thai Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A) Heterozygotes

Variation of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) expression in heterozygous Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A) individuals is associated with several genetic modifiers and not well understood. This study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including XmnI Gγ (rs7482144), rs766432 on the BCL11A gene and rs9376074 on the HBS1L gene, on Hb F levels in Southern Thai heterozygous Hb E individuals. A total of 97 Southern Thai subjects carrying heterozygous Hb E were selected for the hematological study. After excluding the samples with α-thalassemia (α-thal) interaction or moderate anemia, because both conditions can affect the hematological parameters, the remaining 74 samples were submitted to SNP analysis. Hematological parameters were measured using an automated hematology analyzer and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that rs766432 was strongly associated with increased Hb F levels and rs7482144 was associated with Hb F levels in each subgroup (genotype) of rs766432. This study suggested that the BCL11A locus has a major effect on Hb F levels compared with the XmnI polymorphism in Hb E heterozygotes. This association of Hb F levels with SNPs is useful for the interpretation of hemoglobin (Hb) typing in heterozygous Hb E samples with high Hb F levels. Future research will need to address the better understanding of the mechanisms of the SNPs that regulate Hb F production without stress erythropoiesis in Hb E heterozygotes.

White-Collar Farmers: Oil Palm Cultivation and the Living World in a Southern Thai Village

White-Collar Farmers: Oil Palm Cultivation and the Living World in a Southern Thai Village

S̄eụ̄x-mang’: A Missing Link of Southern Thai Dialect and Pa Yang Community in the South of Thailand

‘S̄eụ̄x-mang’: A Missing Link of Southern Thai Dialect and Pa Yang Community in the South of Thailand Rungrat Charoenwisal, Malee Sabaiying, Wanchai Dhammasaccakarn Abstract This study investigates a lost word in oral language in the Southern Thai dialect called „S̄eụ̄x Mang‟ by using qualitative multi-methods research such as unstructured in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, observations and social networks from 30 key informants. The sample included an abbot, community leader, ranger and old people from Pa Yang and Songkhla City. In addition, documentary evidence was used in the study. The results indicated that elderly people are the last generation who know the meaning of „S̄eụ̄x Mang‟ and even they use the same word of „Mang and S̄eụ̄x Mang‟ to denote different meanings in Southern Thai dialect only. “Mang” refers to prudent or indecisive or early morning while „S̄eụ̄x Mang‟ means to a sub specie of panther. Moreover, further study revealed that this specific word links to the loss of a fertile homeland which once belonged to Pa Yang Community and their proud history. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jehd.v7n2a9

Appropriate‐ing Rubber: scalar translations in Southern Thailand

Drawing on qualitative interviews conducted in two provinces of southern Thailand, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung in 2015 and 2016, this paper engages with literature on the politics of scale to consider the relationships among the practice of growing rubber and regional belonging. In many ways decoupling low rubber prices (at the time of writing) from a larger story of substantial, multinational increases in rubber cultivation and production since the early 2000s, a common calculus in southern Thailand among smallholder rubber farmers, or chao suan yang in Thai, of current price woes points in large measure to past policy moves by the Thai government, and especially under the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra in the mid‐2000s, to promote rubber cultivation into northern and northeastern provinces. I contend that emphasis given to such a regional‐national, in other words Thai, story of declines in rubber prices entails noteworthy moments of translation whereby rubber's scales are reconstru(ct)ed through appeals to regional legacies and perceptions of a transmission of ‘southern Thai rubber’ outside of the south.

DI*A and DI*B Allele Frequencies Among Southern Thai Blood Donors.

Diego (DI) blood group genotyping is clinically important in Asian populations. Data of Diego blood type among southern Thais is still unknown. This study aimed to report DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies in southern Thai blood donors and to estimate potential risk of Dia incompatibility and alloimmunization in Thai populations. DNA samples obtained from 427 southern Thai blood donors were genotyped for DI*A and DI*B alleles by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer. DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies among southern Thais were 0.0047 and 0.9953. Their frequencies were similar to those among American Native, Italian, Filipino, Alaska Native/Aleut and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations; while, the frequencies significantly differed from central and northern Thai, Southeast Asian, Brazilian, Southern Brazilian, Brazilian Japanese descendants, Japanese, Han Chinese, Chinese, and Korean populations (P<0.05). The Dia incompatibility among southern Thais (0.93%) was lower than among central Thais (3.49%), corresponding to a significantly lower probability of Dia alloimmunization (P<0.05). This is the first report of DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies among southern Thais, which is beneficial for not only creating information for estimating risk of alloimmunization, but also providing antigen-negative red cell donors to prevent both alloimmunization and adverse transfusion reactions.

Normative weight-adjusted models for the median levels of first trimester serum biomarkers for trisomy 21 screening in a specific ethnicity.

ObjectiveTo establish normative weight-adjusted models for the median levels of first trimester serum biomarkers for trisomy 21 screening in southern Thai women, and to compare these reference levels with Caucasian-specific and northern Thai models.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,150 normal singleton pregnancy women to determine serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) concentrations in women from southern Thailand. The predicted median values were compared with published equations for Caucasians and northern Thai women.ResultsThe best-fitting regression equations for the expected median serum levels of PAPP-A (mIU/L) and free β- hCG (ng/mL) according to maternal weight (Wt in kg) and gestational age (GA in days) were: and Both equations were selected with a statistically significant contribution (p< 0.05). Compared with the Caucasian model, the median values of PAPP-A were higher and the median values of free β-hCG were lower in the southern Thai women. And compared with the northern Thai models, the median values of both biomarkers were lower in southern Thai women.ConclusionThe study has successfully developed maternal-weight- and gestational-age-adjusted median normative models to convert the PAPP-A and free β-hCG levels into their Multiple of Median equivalents in southern Thai women. These models confirmed ethnic differences.

Hematological and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Hb A2 Variant with Homozygous α-Thalassemia-2 in a Southern Thai Individual

We report here the hematological and molecular features of a novel δ-globin chain variant found in a Southern Thai woman. Her complete blood count was as follows: red blood cell (RBC) count 5.90 × 1012/L, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) 12.6 g/dL, packed cell volume (PCV) 0.41 L/L, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 69.5 fL, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) 21.4 pg, mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC) 30.7 g/dL and RBC distribution width (RDW) 13.1%. The blood smear demonstrated microcytic hypochromic RBCs suggestive of thalassemia trait. Hemoglobin analysis identified Hb A2 + Hb A2-Kiriwong (2.4%) and Hb F (0.1%) on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To characterize the α-thalassemia (α-thal) genotype, common α-thal-1 and α-thal-2 alleles were characterized by multiplex gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR). The results revealed homozygous α-thal-2 (–α3.7/–α3.7) in this case. DNA sequencing showed the presence of a novel δ-globin gene mutation [δ77(EF1)His→Arg; HBD: c.233A>G] that we named Hb A2-Kiriwong for the village from where the proband lived. In summary, the presence of microcytic hypochromic RBCs in this case was likely the result of the homozygous –α3.7 (rightward) deletion and was not affected by this Hb A2 variant.

Ideo Art: Psychological Status of Orphans from the Unrest in the Three Southern Thai Province

The greatest loss caused by the insurgency in Narathiwat province which is in the south of Thailand is the lives of the orphans whose parents or beloved ones have been deprived among conflicts and violence. Even though the affected people have received different aids, such cases are not as important as the situation faced by the orphans. After the losses, no one truly pays attention to the extent to which the southern crisis affects these unfortunate children. Even in time of peace, the children who will become adults in future have to face and suffers from severe social biases at home and elsewhere. They also have to face violence and the lack of safety in their lives. This is a result of the fire of vengeance between local people and the government’s suppression which is a game of those villains in power. The orphans will have to sustain their lives alone despite some aids from the government and private sectors. In order to create social awareness of the orphans’ daily lives in Narathiwat province, which affects their psychological status, education, and security of individual, social, and country’s levels, the awareness is raised through video art creation. Video art is a form of art which can reflects the way of lives of those who suffer from losses by presenting the stories of those who have lost, especially in terms of mental status after the loss. Video arts also present views and cultures of the locals with motion pictures, picture placement, and actions and contemporary artistic framework to convey the important message to the society so that people will understand the reality. Video arts are produced based on the researcher’s viewpoints and attitudes gained from the five senses – vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Video art is also a type of media that fully responds to human’s imaginations.

Knowledge and Health Belief Attitudes of Oral Cancer and Its Screening Among At-Risk Southern Thai Muslims.

Oral cancer is one of the leading cancers in Thailand; southern Thai Muslims seem to have a longer delay in attending treatment for oral cancer than Buddhists in the same area. Visual screenings of high-risk populations have been suggested to be an effective prevention method. This study assessed oral cancer knowledge and belief attitudes influencing oral cancer screening in Thai Muslim high-risk groups. Twelve semi-structured in-depth interviews and the focus group discussion were conducted based on the health belief model. Stratified purposeful sampling was used to recruit the participants. Inclusion criteria were those who practiced the risk habits for oral cancer and were 40years of age or older, smokers (20+ cigarettes per day for at least 20years) and/or betel quid chewers (10+ times per day for at least 10years). Participants lacked knowledge about oral cancer in terms of signs and symptoms and predisposing factors. This influenced misleading belief attitudes concerning susceptibility of oral cancer, barriers, and their self-efficacy to have oral cancer screening examinations. Betel quid chewing was not regarded as a risk habit but as having a protective role against the disease. Perceived susceptibility was also seen by some to be dependent upon Allah's will. Traditional medication was mentioned as a preferred alternative to modern treatment. The latter was believed by some to be the cause of death for cancer patients. Interventions to promote oral cancer knowledge and right belief attitudes for oral cancer screening are clearly indicated.

Channels to Meet Foreign Partners and the Daily Life Adaptation in the Current Society of the Southern Thai Families Whose Members are married to Foreigners

&lt;p&gt;This qualitative research study used a phenomenological approach by studying from 20 families in southern Thailand whose members are married to foreigners (Western and Asian) and live in various provinces in the south, including Songkhla, Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Phuket, Trang, and Chumphon. The data was analyzed by using an interpreting method. The inductive reasoning was performed and the results then were presented in a descriptive analysis. The study results reveal that the channels to meet foreign partners are through working in similar or the same occupations and working in the fields that are likely to meet the foreigners, such as teaching English language in high schools, teaching foreign languages, and studying abroad. The adaptation started early since when they began dating. The results also find that these days the society began to open wide about marriages between Thais and foreigners than in the past. For economic adaptation, most families are moderate to good standing. Due to current economic conditions, higher cost of living affect the family economic condition, they then agree to resolve the problem by reducing unnecessary costs within the family and maintain austerity budget to reduce unnecessary costs in order to have sufficient income for the family. For the cultural adaptation, Thai families whose members are married to foreigners uniquely have positive attitude and openness to ideas and able to exchange ideas with each other when they see things differently. The foreign spouses are also able to accept and learn the southern Thai culture, and at the same time the families are also open to learn the foreign culture.&lt;/p&gt;

Issues in Freedom of Religion and the Relationship with Thailand’s Constitution

One of the elements in the idea of independence is the religious freedom for an individual to choose their own religion and practice it without any force or distraction from anyone. Thailand is known as a democracy country that promotes the freedom of rights to its citizens in all aspects of life including the rights of religious freedom. However, there are still doubts occurred between the Muslim and Buddhist in their interaction. This is because; there are rules and regulations that seem to limit the freedom of religion. Therefore, this study is using the analysis of the literatures produced related to the religious freedom phenomenon in the Southern Thai. Based on the study, the ruling factor is the main cause for the crisis to happen between the believers in the Southern Thai. The implementation of certain acts must be suitable with the situation and condition of a certain place as if it is not suitable, the citizens will react negatively towards the party who implemented the acts. Hence, it is important for the Southern Thais, who have different customs, languages, religions, social classes and other differences to have the specific law or rules and regulations for them to create the peaceful life for the society. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4p287

Delivering Islamic Studies and Teaching Diversity in Southern Thai Islamic Schools

Teaching religious and cultural diversities would possibly be one of the greatest challenges to teachers of Islamic in Southern Thai Islamic schools due to the strong Islamic ideology they hold, lack of proper training for their professional growth, and the ongoing ethno-political conflict in the area. This paper explores how such a challenge has been faced. It particularly describes the teaching process of Islamic studies in Thai Islamic schools and explores opportunities within it for promoting religious and cultural diversities. We also look into possible opportunities for Islamic teachers to teach and students to learn about the diverse reality of society. We found that the deliveries of Islamic fell squarely within the concept of teaching into religion using a heavy confessional approach. Indoctrination with a little encouragement of critical thinking was common in Islamic classes. The presentation of other faiths and cultures was designed to explore their weaknesses and fallacies from a single believed-Islamic perspective.[Pengajaran keragaman budaya dan agama merupakan sebuah tantangan besar bagi guru pendidikan keislaman pada sekolah di Thailand Selatan, seiring dengan pemahaman keislaman mereka yang kuat, kesenjangan tingkat perkembangan profesionalitas, dan konflik politik etnik di daerah tersebut. Tulisan ini mengetengahkan persoalan yang mereka hadapi, khususnya deskripsi proses pengajaran studi keislaman di sekolah Islam lokal dan peluang dalam promosi keragaman budaya dan agama. Tulisan ini juga melihat kemungkinan peluang bagi guru agama Islam dan anak didiknya untuk saling belajar dari realitas keragaman dalam masyarakat. Kami menemukan bahwa menyampaikan pengetahuan keislaman harus tepat dengan konsep pengajaran bagi pemeluk agamanya menggunakan pendekatan keyakinan yang lurus. Indoktrinasi dengan sedikit dorongan pemikiran kritis merupakan kewajaran dalam kelas agama. Presentasi agama dan budaya lain didesain untuk eksplorasi kekurangan dan kesalahan dari perspektif yang monolitik.]

Studies of the CETP TaqIB and ApoE Polymorphisms in Southern Thai Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome.

Several genetic factors have been investigated responsible for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms and MetS in 378 subjects from Southern Thailand. Subjects were divided into MetS+ (n = 121) and MetS- (n = 257) groups according to the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATPIII). The CETP TaqIB and ApoE polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Logistic regression analysis revealed no association of CETP TaqIB and ApoE variants with MetS, after adjustment for age and sex. However, ε4 allele had a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels when compared with ε3 allele (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.11-3.29, p = 0.020). This suggests that CETP TaqIB and ApoE polymorphisms may not be considered as genetic risk factors for MetS in a Southern Thai population. However, ε4 allele which is associated with one metabolic component, low HDL-C levels, might predispose the subjects to develop metabolic disturbances.

Combined PCSK9 and APOE polymorphisms are genetic risk factors associated with elevated plasma lipid levels in a Thai population.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) play a key role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. We aimed to investigate the effects of PCSK9 (R46L, I474V, and E670G) and APOE polymorphisms on lipid levels in a Southern Thai population. A total of 495 participants (307 urban, 188 rural) were recruited for the study. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were evaluated. PCSK9 and APOE polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-RFLP. The 46L urban male carriers had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting blood sugar compared with non-carriers. In contrast, the 46L urban female carriers had significantly lower total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels compared with non-carriers. The 474V rural female carriers had significantly lower HDL-C levels than non-carriers. The 670G urban female carriers showed significantly higher TC and LDL-C levels compared with non-carriers. APOE4 carriers had increased TC and LDL-C levels relative to APOE3 carriers in the urban males. APOE2 carriers had decreased TC and/or LDL-C levels compared with APOE3 carriers in urban males and females. A significant trend of increased TC and LDL-C levels was observed in non-APOE4-PCSK9 670EE carriers to APOE4-PCSK9 670EG carriers in urban subjects. In summary, R46L, I474V, and E670G may be genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in urban males, rural females, and urban females, respectively. In contrast, R46L had a favorable lipid profiles that may protect against CVD in urban females. The combination of PCSK9 E670G and APOE polymorphisms may represent an independent factor for the determination of lipid levels.

Effects of a metabolic syndrome self‐management programme for women with pre‐diabetes

AbstractBackgroundMetabolic syndrome is known to be a risk factor for developing type‐2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several health complications.ObjectiveTo examine the effects of a metabolic syndrome self‐management programme for women with pre‐diabetes.MethodsThe study was an RCT. Data were analysed for 170 participants, who had been randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 85) or a control (n = 85) group. The participants in the intervention group practised a self‐management programme composed of eating traditional southern Thai foods and 30‐min brisk walking each day for 24 weeks; the control group received usual care. Main outcomes were evaluated at 12 and 24 weeks.ResultsAt 12 weeks, there was a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides in the intervention group (P &lt; 0.05). At 24 weeks, there were statistically significant reductions in body‐weight, body‐mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides among participants in the intervention group (P &lt; 0.05). No significant difference in HDL‐cholesterol levels was found.ConclusionsTraditional southern Thai foods and brisk walking appear to benefit glycaemic control and lipid profiles among women with pre‐diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Ancestry informative markers for distinguishing between Thai populations based on genome-wide association datasets.

The main purpose of this work was to identify a set of AIMs that stratify the genetic structure and diversity of the Thai population from a high-throughput autosomal genome-wide association study. In this study, more than one million SNPs from the international HapMap database and the Thai depression genome-wide association study have been examined to identify ancestry informative markers (AIMs) that distinguish between Thai populations. An efficient strategy is proposed to identify and characterize such SNPs and to test high-resolution SNP data from international HapMap populations. The best AIMs are identified to stratify the population and to infer genetic ancestry structure. A total of 124 AIMs were clearly clustered geographically across the continent, whereas only 89 AIMs stratified the Thai population from East Asian populations. Finally, a set of 273 AIMs was able to distinguish northern from southern Thai subpopulations. These markers will be of particular value in identifying the ethnic origins in regions where matching by self-reports is unavailable or unreliable, which usually occurs in real forensic cases.

Democracy and Village Politics in Thailand and Singapore: Making Analytical Comparisons in Late Modernity

What is the best way to maximize democratic participation without violent consequences? Democratic theory emphasizes grassroots participation in politics as part of the democratic evolution and transition. Democratic participation is not always peaceful, and indeed has proven itself to be volatile and violent in the history of modern Thailand. Thai scholars like Chaloemtiarana, Bunbongkarn, Boonpraset, Winichakul, Ponsidurak and others have underscored various interstitial issues of violence in Thailand from Phibun and Sarit’s regimes, the role of the military, university student uprisings, mass protests and civil disobedience. Thailand and Singapore share a similar political history despite the differences in size. Both states have experiences periods of authoritarian rule with different policy outcomes and political consequences. Since the end of the Cold War, the governments of both states have emphasized the importance of a democratic ethos and how such a belief leads to a better life for citizens. Yet democracy in Singapore is peaceful by comparison to its larger neighbour. This paper examines how Southern Thai Village people can maximize their participation in village affairs by applying Singapore’s ethnic management strategy of political cohesion. This paper is organized into the following sections: the problem of villages in the Southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani; Political Assimilation; the Singapore Model; and Village Affairs.