Surat Thani Province Research Articles

How 75 years of rubber monocropping affects soil fauna and nematodes as the bioindicators for soil biodiversity quality index

ABSTRACT Natural rubber consumption has led to the expansion of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations which affects the deforestation and ecosystem. However, no study of the long-term effect of rubber plantations on soil biodiversity has been carried out yet. This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of continuous rubber monocropping on soil biodiversity, focusing on soil macrofauna and nematode diversity. Three successive rubber rotations at young and old ages were compared with the adjacent forest in Suratthani province, Thailand. Soil biodiversity quality index was calculated from a set of indicators which were combined into a single score to present a functional assessment of the gradient of disturbance. The results showed three negative effects on soil biodiversity (i) the biodiversity quality index immediately declined after deforestation (ii) the old age rubber plantations had a lower soil biodiversity as the nematodes were a main driver of diversity in the young plantation, and (iii) similarly, for the soil chemical properties, the long-term effect of rubber chronosequence evidenced deterioration in the third rotation. Therefore, two rotations of rubber plantation (around 50 years) seemed to be the maximum length of rubber monocropping in terms of soil biodiversity recovery.

Geotechnical investigation and stability analysis of bio-engineered slope at Surat Thani Province in Southern Thailand

Geotechnical investigation and stability analysis of bio-engineered slope at Surat Thani Province in Southern Thailand

Coastal aquaculture management of research and development coastal aquaculture center region 3, Takhianthong Subdistrict, Kanchanadit District, Surat Thani Province, Thailand

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the management of coastal aquaculture at the Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Center, Region 3, Surat Thani Province; 2) study problems and obstacles in aquaculture management. 3) Guidelines for the development of aquaculture management. This research used both qualitative and quantitative methods simultaneously. The sample consisted of 60 people, and a categorical randomization method was used. The qualitative method used a focus group and selected five key informants specifically. The research instruments used include questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The Quantitative data analysis used statistics such as; mean, percentage and standard deviation. The results showed that the overall opinion on the management of coastal aquaculture Research and Development Center, Region 3 (Surat Thani) was at a high level with a mean of 4.03. The qualitative research method used in-depth interviews with the sample groups; it was found that coastal aquaculture management can be of two types: 1) The government sector co-ordinates with some agencies and organizations to seek the people’s opinions in unity, which shows a direct collaboration with the government, hence opening room for mutual understanding. Both in terms of giving information, problem-solving, expression of opinion, and joint decision.

Function of Por Ta shrine at the Ban Chiaw Sai community in the province of Suratthani

This article aims at examining functions of Pho Ta shrine in Ban Chiao Sai Community, Tambon Khlong Cha-un, Amphoe Phanom, Surat Thani Province. It is revealed from the study that Pho Ta shrine worshipping ceremony of Ban Chiao Sai Community, where most inhabitants live by rubber cultivation, eminently present the villagers’ collective identity by showing their gratitude toward Pho Ta, the guardian spirit of rubber plantation who also looks after the people, once a year. Following their ascendants, the shrines are built by reusable materials like wood chips or rubber tanks. Four functions of Pho Ta Shrine: 1) to release people’s tension 2) to reinforce social orders 3) to impart local belief and ritual 4) to preserve the community’s identity, are found, as well.

Asplenium appressifolium (Aspleniaceae), a new species from Thailand

Asplenium appressifolium Boonkerd & S. Petchsri, a new lithophytic fern species from Surat Thani province, Peninsular Thailand, is described and illustrated. The affinities with the similar species A. crinicaule Hance, A. pellucidum Lam. and A. tenerum G. Forst. are discussed.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Pre-Diabetes Mellitus among Myanmar Migrant Workers in Suratthani Province

The objectives of this cross-sectional analytical research were to describe the prevalence of pre-diabetes mellitus and assess factors associated with pre-diabetes mellitus among Myanmar migrant workers in Suratthani province. Data were collected from October 2020 – March 2021. Of these, 508 samples were selected using the multi-stage random sampling method. The data were collected using interviewing forms based on the conceptual framework and related literature review. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Perceived Stress Scale was 0.78. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. The results showed that Myanmar migrant workers had pre-diabetes mellitus at 18.70 percent (95% CI: 15.54 - 22.34). Factors associated with pre-diabetes mellitus among Myanmar migrant workers comprised graduating below junior high school (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.09 - 4.10), married (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.04 - 3.70), unsupported media or materials in Myanmar language (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.11 - 2.85), and the problem of living environment at moderate/high (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.77). In summary, it was found that one-fifth of Myanmar migrant workers had pre-diabetes mellitus. In addition, the factors such as education level, marital status, supported media or materials in Myanmar language, and the problem of living environment was associated with pre-diabetes mellitus.

Optimization of Water Quantity with Smart Agriculture in IOT

Abstract: In this paper, we propose fostering a framework ideally watering horticultural harvests dependent on a remote sensor organization. This work planned to plan and foster a control framework utilizing hub sensors in the harvest field with information the executives by means of cell phone and a web application. The three parts are equipment, web application, and portable application. The principal segment was planned and executed in charge box equipment associated with gather information on the harvests. Soil dampness sensors are utilized to screen the field, associating with the control box. The subsequent segment is an electronic application that was planned and executed to control the subtleties of yield information and field data. This segment applied information mining to break down the information for anticipating appropriate temperature, stickiness, and soil dampness for ideal future administration of harvests development. The last part is essentially used to control crop watering through a versatile application in a cell phone. This permits either programmed or manual control by the client. The programmed control utilizes information from soil dampness sensors for watering. Be that as it may, the client can pick manual control of watering the harvests in the useful control mode. The framework can send notices through LINE API for the LINE application. The framework was executed and tried in Makhamtia District, Suratthani Province, Thailand. The outcomes demonstrated the execution to be valuable in agribusiness. The dampness content of the dirt was kept up with properly for vegetable development, lessening costs and expanding rural usefulness. Also, this work addresses driving farming through computerized development.

Natural Radionuclides in Medicinal Plants and Forages from a Granite Mountain area, Phangan Island, Surathani Province.

The radioactive nuclides were a cancer causing agent. They have a source of origin from nature and man-made. The natural radioactive elements were found in granite rock. The purpose of this research were analyze the activity of radioactive nuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in herbs and forage plant samples from Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province and to analyze the Annual external effective dose rate (E). A total of 20 species of plants, including medicinal plants and food chains plant were randomly sampled. The plant samples were analyzed by the gamma spectrometry system with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. It was found that the radioactive nuclides of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were ranged from 6.75 ± 0.16 to 61.55 ± 0.48, 1.76 ± 0.15 to 34.24 ± 0.25 and 330.74 ± 0.37 to 1337.54 ± 0.64 Bq/kg, respectively. In addition, the Annual external effective dose rate (E) in all plants were lower than required (UNSCEAR, 2000).

Anopheles bionomics in a malaria endemic area of southern Thailand

BackgroundIvermectin mass drug administration (MDA) could accelerate malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This study was performed to characterize the bionomics of Anopheles in Surat Thani province, Thailand.MethodsMosquitoes were collected via human landing collections between February and October 2019. Anopheles mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species. Primary Anopheles malaria vectors were dissected to assess parity status, and a subset were evaluated for molecular identification and Plasmodium detection.ResultsA total of 17,348 mosquitoes were collected during the study period; of these, 5777 were Anopheles mosquitoes. Morphological studies identified 15 Anopheles species, of which the most abundant were Anopheles minimus (s.l.) (87.16%, n = 5035), An. dirus s.l. (7.05%, n = 407) and An. barbirostris s.l. (2.86%, n = 165). Molecular identification confirmed that of the An. minimus s.l. mosquitoes collected, 99.80% were An. minimus (s.s.) (n = 484) and 0.2% were An. aconitus (n = 1), of the An. dirus (s.l.) collected, 100% were An. baimaii (n = 348), and of the An. maculatus (s.l.) collected, 93.62% were An. maculatus (s.s.) (n = 44) and 6.38% were An. sawadwongporni (n = 3). No Anopheles mosquito tested was Plasmodium positive (0/879). An average of 11.46 Anopheles were captured per collector per night. There were differences between species in hour of collection (Kruskal–Wallis H-test: χ2 = 80.89, P < 0.0001, n = 5666), with more An. barbirostris (s.l.) and An. maculatus (s.l.) caught earlier compared to An. minimus (s.l.) (P = 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) and An. dirus (s.l.) (P = 0.0082 and P < 0.001, respectively). The proportion of parous An. minimus (s.l.) captured by hour increased throughout the night (Wald Chi-square: χ2 = 17.31, P = 0.000, odds ratio = 1.0535, 95% confidence interval 1.0279–1.0796, n = 3400). Overall, An. minimus (s.l.) parity was 67.68% (2375/3509) with an intra-cluster correlation of 0.0378. A power calculation determined that an An. minimus (s.l.) parity reduction treatment effect size = 34%, with four clusters per treatment arm and a minimum of 300 mosquitoes dissected per cluster, at an α = 0.05, will provide 82% power to detect a significant difference following ivermectin MDA.ConclusionsThe study area in Surat Thani province is an ideal location to evaluate the impact of ivermectin MDA on An. minimus parity.Graphical abstract

A new species, Agapetus kaengkrungensis (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) from Kaeng Krung National Park, southern Thailand with the distribution map of the genus in Thailand.

The male of a new species of caddisfly, Agapetus kaengkrungensis n. sp. (Glossosomatidae) is described and illustrated from Kaeng Krung National Park, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. Agapetus kaengkrungensis n. sp. is distinguished from other species by the characters of segment IX and inferior appendages. The distributions of the Agapetus spp. of Thailand are mapped and discussed.

Financial Assessment of Smallholder Oil Palm Production in Unsuitable Areas of Surat Thani Province, Thailand

This study was conducted to provide information on profitability, social status, occupations, sustainability, self-reliance, and risks in small-scale oil palm production in unsuitable areas of Surat Thani, by planted oil palm area Thailand’s largest province. The data were collected from 25 farmers who have newly grown to 25 years old oil palm trees cultivated in unsuitable areas. The data were subjected to financial investment analysis, switching value test, sustainability, and self-sufficiency analysis. The investments in oil palm cultivation were assessed by net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and benefit to cost ratio (BCR). The results show that most growers were senior citizens with primary school education, and the average number of family members was 4.1. They had self-invested and used family members as labor (on average 1.6 men/family). The average oil palm yield in unsuitable areas was 3.60 tons/rai/year. Based on 7% discount rate the NPV was equal to 71,215.17 Thai baht, IRR was 38.72%, and BCR was 2.25. These financial indicators show that the overall performance of oil palm cultivation in unsuitable areas is a worthwhile investment, although with high risks on the revenue side. The oil palm growers had moderate levels of sustainability and self-reliance.

Estimation of Radionuclide (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in Soil Granite Rock Mountains Phangan District, Surat Thani Province

The objective of this study were to analyze the specific activity of the natural radioactive nuclide of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K and to calculate the Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the Internal hazard index (Hin), the External hazard index (Hex), the Gamma-absorbed dose rate (D) and the Annual external effective dose rate (E) in the 20 soil samples from Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province by using gamma-ray spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The results show that the specific activity of radioactive nuclides in many samples were higher than Thailand and the global average values. In addition, the Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the Internal hazard index (Hin), the external hazard index (Hex) and the gamma-absorbed dose rate (D) were higher than the UNSCEAR criterion (2000). The present study found that the radioactivity may affect the health of people living in that area.

Analysis of Model Performance and Implementation of an Optimized Flood Prediction Model Using Data Mining Techniques

Flooding is a major problem globally, and especially in SuratThani province, Thailand. Along the lower Tapeeriver in SuratThani, the population density is high. Implementing an early warning system can benefit people living along the banks here. In this study, our aim was to build a flood prediction model using artificial neural network (ANN), which would utilize water and stream levels along the lower Tapeeriver to predict floods. This model was used to predict flood using a dataset of rainfall and stream levels measured at local stations. The developed flood prediction model consisted of 4 input variables, namely, the rainfall amounts and stream levels at stations located in the PhraSeang district (X.37A), the Khian Sa district (X.217), and in the Phunphin district (X.5C). Model performance was evaluated using input data spanning a period of eight years (2011–2018). The model performance was compared with support vector machine (SVM), and ANN had better accuracy. The results showed an accuracy of 97.91% for the ANN model; however, for SVM it was 97.54%. Furthermore, the recall (42.78%) and f-measure (52.24%) were better for our model, however, the precision was lower. Therefore, the designed flood prediction model can estimate the likelihood of floods around the lower Tapee river region

Two new Kukri Snake species (Colubridae: Oligodon) from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range, and addition of O. ocellatus to the fauna of Thailand.

We describe two new Kukri snakes of the genus Oligodon from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range, southern peninsular Thailand. Oligodon phangan sp. nov., endemic to Pha-Ngan Island, Surat Thani Province, is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 369.1 mm; 12 maxillary teeth, the posterior three enlarged; 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows; 163-166 ventrals; 33-42 divided subcaudals; a single anal; dorsal color brown with a pair of discreet paravertebral and lateral stripes; no dorsal or supracaudal bands, blotches or crossbars; background color of belly pinkish-orange; underside of tail immaculate. Oligodon promsombuti sp. nov., whose type-locality is Khao Phanom Wang, Surat Thani Province, is also found in Trang Province, and is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 552.7 mm; 12 maxillary teeth, the posterior three enlarged; 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows; 177 ventrals; 40 divided subcaudals; a single anal; deeply forked hemipenes lacking spines; dorsal color blackish brown with nearly indistinct paravertebral stripes; no dorsal or supracaudal blotches or crossbars; background color of belly ivory, heavily speckled with subrectangular blackish blotches. We tentatively allocate both new species to the informal Oligodon-cyclurus-group. They are the 5th and 6th Oligodon species endemic to Thailand. We add Oligodon ocellatus, so far known only from Cambodia, southern Laos and southern Vietnam, to the Thai fauna, based on a specimen from Chong Mek, Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Working Conditions and Health Risk Assessment in Hair Salons.

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the chemical and physical work conditions in hair salons and to analyze health risk of exposure to VOCs for the hairdressers of hair salons. Methods: This study was carried out at 4 selected hair salons close to universities in Surat Thani province, Thailand. VOCs were collected by area sampling using charcoal tubes (9 samples per salon). The air samples were analyzed using GC/FID. The noise levels, illumination, and temperature were measured by using sound level meter, lux meter, and WBGT, respectively. Results: Toluene, cyclohexanone, xylene, and hexane were the most frequently found across the hair salons. All of the VOCs concentration was highest in the mixing area. All of hair salons had cancer risk exceeding 1 × 10−6 and HI > 1.0, indicating that indoor air pollution may affect hairdresser’s health. The average VOCs concentrations after installation of local exhaust ventilation and open the door for 30 minutes before closing the hair salon, was significantly lower than before and after installation of the local exhaust ventilation. The WBGT indoors varied within 22 to 28°C, sound pressure levels within 71 to 76 dBA, and illumination within 70 to 400 lux. The noise levels and temperature in the hair salons were satisfactory on the scale of the Ministry of Labor (Thailand). Conclusions:Installing and using proper ventilation in hair salon are recommended to eliminate health effects. Hairdresser worked in poor lighting that should be improved to appropriate levels (>1000 lux).

Two new species of Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) from Thailand

Two new species of Aquifoliaceae are reported for Thailand. Ilex depressifructu is newly recorded from Umphang District, Tak Province (leaf blades ovate, ovate-oblong or oblong, base obtuse; infructescences solitary dichasia; fruits depressed globose with capitate stigma; pyrenes 5, shallowly-5-sulcate, 6-striate) and Ilex phanganensis (like I. umbellulata, but glabrous, smaller leaves, less veins, diplothyrsoid inflorescences with mainly alternate branches, less pyrenes), is newly recorded from Ko Phagnan Islands, Surat Thani Province. The descriptions and illustrations of the taxa are presented.

Two new species of Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) from Thailand

Two new species of Aquifoliaceae are reported for Thailand. Ilex depressifructu is newly recorded from Umphang District, Tak Province (leaf blades ovate, ovate-oblong or oblong, base obtuse; infructescences solitary dichasia; fruits depressed globose with capitate stigma; pyrenes 5, shallowly-5-sulcate, 6-striate) and Ilex phanganensis (like I. umbellulata, but glabrous, smaller leaves, less veins, diplothyrsoid inflorescences with mainly alternate branches, less pyrenes), is newly recorded from Ko Phagnan Islands, Surat Thani Province. The descriptions and illustrations of the taxa are presented.

The Relationship between Perceived Self-Efficacy and Cervical Cancer Screening among Village Health Volunteers in Suratthani Province, Thailand.

Objective:This research aimed to examine the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and cervical cancer screening of village health volunteers. Methods:The researchers conducted this descriptive research with 279 samples, each recruited using the stratified random samplings. Data were collected in August 2020 using two research instruments included general data and the self-efficacy assessment. The self-efficacy assessment was tested, yielding a reliability score of 0.90. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and point- biserial correlation. Results:The results revealed that the mean scores of perceived self-efficacy were at a high level in (Mean= 4.35, S.D.= 0.77) and perceived self-efficacy of each has the mean scores of at a high level in strength, generality, and magnitude dimension (Mean= 4.27, S.D.= 0.76; Mean= 4.40, S.D.= 1.01; Mean= 4.35, S.D.= 0.76) respectively. There were significantly positive correlations between the perceived self-efficacy and cervical cancer screening at a very high level (r= 0.81, p <0.001). The relationship between the perceived self-efficacy of each in the strength dimension and magnitude dimension with cervical cancer screening was at a very high level of relationship significantly (r= 0.84, 0.82, p < 0.001). The generality dimension was at a high level of relationship significantly. (r= 0.66, p < 0.001). Conclusion:This study showed that village health volunteers with high perceived self-efficacy correlated with their confidence screening for cervical cancer. Therefore, village health volunteers should emphasize that women learn and acknowledge the importance of obtaining cervical cancer screening to prevent cervical cancer effectively.

Public Mind: University Engagement and Community Relations for Sustainable Quality of Life Development and Strong Communities

This study aimed to 1) survey issues in the communities and organize ten community projects to resolve the issues, 2) integrate the bodies of knowledge, concepts, theories of Public Administration with students volunteering and 3) respond to the four missions of university engagement. This study is part of the classroom action research, the project evaluation course and the management innovation course. The subjects in the project were 150 students majoring in Public Administration from Suratthani Rajabhat University and Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus. The project operated during 2017-2019 beginning with the study of problems in the community covering Makham Tia Sub-district and Khun Thalae Sub-district, Muang District, Surat Thani Province. Then it was developed into a project to solve problems with the community, with groups of 10-15 students. Then the students proceeded to create a project, evaluate it and bring what they learned from various projects to take lesson learned together. The findings revealed that the student volunteers had positive conscience towards participating in designing and arranging the project as well as other activities that support the communities. Furthermore, these activities provided the students more opportunities to grow the spirit of volunteering and apply the practical knowledge to outside education. Each community had different problems, most of which were fundamental problems such as waste, environment, well-being and diseases. For another objective of the study, it was found that PDCA, POCCC, and system theory along were popular techniques used in the students' volunteering projects. For the last objective, the study found that organizing these projects created the process of participation for stakeholders in both public and private sectors. In addition to practising various skills to nurture the I-WISE identity, the students could achieve the university engagement on community relations for the development of the quality of life and sustainably strong community that conforms to the determination of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, "The benefit of fellow humans is the first activity". Keywords: Public Mind, University Engagement, Quality of Life Development, Strong Communities

Amycolatopsis acididurans sp. nov., isolated from peat swamp forest soil in Thailand.

A polyphasic approach was used to describe strain K13G38T, a novel actinomycete isolated from peat swamp forest soil collected from Surat Thani Province, Thailand. The 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain belonged to the genus Amycolatopsis and showed the highest sequence similarities to both Amycolatopsis acidiphila JCM 30562T and Amycolatopsis bartoniae DSM 45807T (96.8% sequence similarity). Furthermore, strain K13G38T, which formed extensively branched substrate and aerial mycelia, exhibited chemotaxonomical characteristics of the genus Amycolatopsis which included phospholipid pattern type II and cell-wall chemotype IV. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, and an unidentified aminolipid. MK-9(H4) was a predominant menaquinone of the organism. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0, anteiso-C17:0, and C16:0. The genomic DNA size of strain K13G38T was 8.5 Mbp with 69.5 mol% G+C content. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, overall genomic relatedness index and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain K13G38T represents a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name A. acididurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K13G38T (=TBRC 12507T = NBRC 114553T).