Perceptions of online harassment: ethnographical research of Myanmar university students

Title: Perceptions of online harassment: ethnographical research of Myanmar university students

Author: Miss Khin Yamone Zaw

Year: 2023

Keywords: online harassment, gender, emotional well-being, online participation, Myanmar

Theme: Public Sphere and Media

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The rapid expansion of digital technology and internet connectivity in Myanmar over the past years has immensely transformed how people live, work, and interact, bringing various benefits to society. Despite these benefits, online harassment remains a severe and pervasive problem in the digital age. A few existing literature and studies on the Myanmar context suggest that young people, particularly young women, are subjected to online harassment. There is currently a lack of literature in Myanmar that investigates online harassment against young women through a gender lens. This study aims to fill this literature gap and examine the prevalence of online harassment experienced by young women in Myanmar and its impacts on their emotional well-being and online participation. Drawing on feminist theory and intersectionality, this study investigates how gendered power dynamics have influence on online harassment encounters of young women from diverse ethnicities and religions. The study employs a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine young women attending a private university in Myanmar to get unique insights into their experiences with online harassment. By using thematic analysis on the data, the findings reveal that young women faced various forms of online harassment, including online sexual harassment, receiving negative or offensive comments, and online impersonation. The results also show negative impacts on young women’s emotional well-being and online participation, resulting in severe emotional distress, feeling scared, helpless, and frustrated, leading to decreased online participation and self-censorship in digital spaces. Young women in the study experienced online harassment in a more gendered way, and these experiences are exacerbated by cultural and gender norms in Myanmar society, which reflect broader patterns of gender inequality and systemic sexism. By addressing the gap in existing literature and offering a comprehensive analysis of online harassment through a gender lens, this study contributes valuable insights to the existing body of literature on gender, digital technology, and development in the Myanmar context by offering evidence-based findings on how young women in Myanmar encountered various forms of online harassment and how it has adverse impacts on their emotional well-being and online participation. The potential measures suggested by the participants are crucial for policymakers, social media platforms, development practitioners and other relevant organizations to develop gender-sensitive approaches to policy interventions to effectively address the issue. The study highlights the urgent need to address and tackle the online harassment issue to create a safe and inclusive digital environment for all individuals

China's Framing Strategy in Constructing the Socio-Cultural Pillar of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC)

Title: China's Framing Strategy in Constructing the Socio-Cultural Pillar of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC)

Author: Mr.Haosheng Duan

Year: 2023

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Pongphisoot Busbarat

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This dissertation explores China's strategic engagement through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), focusing on the construction and effectiveness of the LMC's Third Pillar, Social, Cultural, and People-to-People Exchanges, in fostering an LMC identity. In short, this China-led institutional arrangement aims to build regionalism and regionalization among the riparian countries. This dissertation uses a constructivist framing theory and qualitative research methods to conduct the research. This research discusses the design and implementation of the third-pillar construction. Furthermore, LMC's cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation are adopted as the case analysis to illustrate China's framing strategies in the third-pillar construction. As a result, this dissertation identified the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of the LMC's Third Pillar and its relevant framing strategies in cultivating the collective identity. In conclusion, this dissertation has raised some policy recommendations for improving third-pillar construction in the future

The impact of English on experiencing othering: a case study of Chulalongkorn university students

Title: The impact of English on experiencing othering: a case study of Chulalongkorn university students

Author: Mr.Alejandro Soria Higuera

Year: 2023

Keywords: Otherness, Shared Identity, International Programs, Social contexts, outside the classroom, Impact of English

Theme: Education

Advisor(s): Pimsiri Aroonsri

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: International programs in Thailand possess distinctive characteristics as nearly all students are Thai nationals who have met the standard English proficiency requirements. Instruction is entirely in English, and these programs are situated within universities where the majority of students are enrolled in Thai-language programs. Additionally, Thai faculty and staff contribute to the necessity of using the Thai language for social interactions outside the classroom. This complexity surrounding international program students in Thailand has led to the purpose of this research, which is to study the impact of English communication inside and outside the classroom on the path to acquiring competence previous to enrollment in university programs on students' experiences of otherness and social fragmentation as a potential consequence. The researcher investigated this issue by examining students' perceptions of elements that contribute to Thai identity, their self-identification as Thai, and their experiences of feeling like outsiders due to their primary language choice for social interactions. The study found that English communication abilities in non-academic contexts during high school contribute to experiences of otherness both among students within the same program and between students of different programs. These experiences of 'otherness' are associated with feelings of being marginalized due to English or Thai language skills not meeting the expectations of others or being insufficient for social integration and appear to diminish as students advance through their college education. More research is needed to address additional factors that may influence the use of English outside the classroom and the development of feelings of otherness resulting from differences in the primary language used among peer groups

Competition versus cooperation: international programmes in Thailand's higher education

Title: Competition versus cooperation: international programmes in Thailand's higher education

Author: Mr.Gwyn Peredur Evans

Year: 2023

Keywords: internationalisation of higher education, competition, collaboration, Thailand

Theme: Education

Advisor(s): Vong-on Phuaphansawat

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis has been to produce meaningful understandings of how the internationalisation of higher education (IHE) takes place within public higher education institutions in Thailand, within the context of economic and social drivers. It explores the peripheral voices of actors involved in the field, adopting a social constructivist approach to identify and understand the imperatives and processes of IHE in Thailand, how they are perceived by actors at the institutions, and how their understanding, interpretations and motivations are influenced by the country’s historical and cultural context, as well as their own social environments. By examining the relationship between competition and cooperation in the internationalisation of public higher education in Thailand, it explores the extent to which, and how, actors within the public Thai higher education institution are challenging the neoliberal hegemonic discourse on IHE, and providing a counter-narrative to the Western-dominated discourse.The study provides a longitudinal analysis of the historical evolution of higher education and international programmes in Thailand before focussing on one public university as a unit of analysis and probing into three of its international programmes, using thematic analysis to draw on interview accounts of 15 respondents who work in the field of IHE.The thesis argues that the situated voices of the Global South need to be heard in order to enhance the global discourse on the internationalisation of higher education and to make it reflective of the plurality of ownerships of such knowledge creation. The study concludes that the binary question of competition and cooperation is too simplistic. The non-economic, socially-oriented beliefs, values and perspectives, and the driving of progressive and meaningful change in society are framed, or trapped, within the dominant neoliberal economic framing of the world in which the institution exists, and represents. The study reveals the actors’ critical counter-narrative to the hegemonic neoliberal discourse which normatively dictates the definitions of how this process works. The thesis makes the claim that internationalisation, within the Thai public higher education context, operates reactively and separately within an internal structure and culture which further alienate the process. It calls for a more integrated, spatially aware, self-reflexive and critical approach to IHE. The study’s findings point to the necessity of a more humane and socially driven process which sees internationalisation as a means to improve education quality and research, and to achieve a more ethical and equitable drive towards progress and growth

Thailand’s Indigenous Rights Bills: Ideological Contestation through the Lens of Multiple Streams Framework and Powers of Exclusion

Title: Thailand’s Indigenous Rights Bills: Ideological Contestation through the Lens of Multiple Streams Framework and Powers of Exclusion

Author: Miss Tawanrat Marit

Year: 2023

Keywords:

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Indigenous communities and ethnic groups have been experiencing marginalization due to the introduction of environmental laws and the prioritization of the national security agenda during the Cold War era. This has led to significant challenges such as land disputes, eviction, and loss of cultural identity. Accordingly, Indigenous communities have mobilized a social movement to advocate for inclusive policy changes. In 2022, Thailand is at a watershed moment as five versions of the Draft Indigenous Rights Bill are under consideration. Thus, this thesis examines the ideological contestations and policy networks involved in the drafting process of Thailand’s Draft Indigenous Rights Bill to analyze the agendasetting of the Bill. The study applies a hybrid conceptual framework that integrates the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), Policy Network Analysis (PNA), the powers of exclusion, and Subaltern Counterpublics. It aims to dissect the roles of policy actors and ideological divergent in shaping the agenda-setting and potential policy outcomes of the Draft Bill. The data is collected from in-depth interviews with the key informants who involve in the process of drafting the Bills, as well as document review. This thesis contends that the ideological contestation between Indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and national security has significantly influenced the Bill's agenda-setting. In the problem stream, Indigenous rights issues have gained recognition from the government through indigenous movements and advocacy. The analysis from the policy stream finds that the process of presenting the draft Bills is highly dynamic due to the involvement of Indigenous networks, government agencies, and civil society. As they seek to have their solutions adopted, each policy network employs the strategies analyzed through the lens of powers of exclusion. Lastly, the poltics stream finds that the roles of Members of Parliament, bureaucrats, and legislators contribute to national moods and political conditions that enable and constrain the policy windows that allow the bill to be considered.

Intersectionality and Gender Injustice in Higher Education in Pre- and Post-coup Myanmar

Title: Intersectionality and Gender Injustice in Higher Education in Pre- and Post-coup Myanmar

Author: Miss Ei Yin Yin Phyu

Year: 2023

Keywords: Gender equality, Sex discrimination, Sex discrimination in education, Sexual freedom

Theme: education

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This research examines gender injustice in Higher Education in pre- and post-coupMyanmar. It explores how gender injustice has been perceived and practiced during the semiciviliangovernment and after the 2021 coup, both in private and public spaces. Usingintersectionality and gender injustice concepts, this research employs a qualitative approach,collecting primary data through interviews with women university scholars, as well assecondary sources such as legal documents, education laws, university policies and regulationsregarding gender equality. It incorporates other gender-related concepts and frameworks inorder to strengthen its empirical findings. Primary data collection included 17 femaleparticipants from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds and religious beliefs with workexperiences ranging from 9 to over 25 years in public universities or institutions acrossMyanmar. The findings of this study support the thesis argument on the interconnected genderinjustice faced by women in the academic sphere, especially academic women from ethnicminorities, marginal groups and non-Buddhist religions. The gender injustice situation has beeneven worse after the 2021 coup. Finally, the thesis aims to contribute to the interconnectedgender and societal workplace challenges faced by Myanmar’s female academics and to thedevelopment interventions by state and non-state actors for fulfilling Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (SDGs).

A critique on creative economy as a potential tool for promotion of Thailand's sustainable development policy

Title: A critique on creative economy as a potential tool for promotion of Thailand's sustainable development policy

Author: Miss Jiratchaya Kosintharanon

Year: 2023

Keywords: Sustainable Development, Creative Economy, Thailand

Theme: post development

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: As the world is full of threats, development seems to be an international issue where the state authority has to seek for the most effective solution and drive the development in the country. In Thailand, there is the urgent call to reposition Thailand among ASEAN countries as they used to be and become a developed and sustainable society. Creative economy uses as the potential tool to enhance the sustainable growth and development which also being a feasible option for country. With a diverse usage in the world, it is difficult to ensure the effectiveness after implementation in a country. To illustrate the potential of a creative economy and its effectiveness to achieve sustainable development, it needs to critique a core concept and shared characteristic of the creative economy which uses discourse analysis to conceal under a diverse interpretation by four countries as The United States, The United Kingdom, Japan, and The Republic of Korea to illustrate the ideal types of the creative economy. It will be further studied for a case study of Thailand’s creative economy. The findings reveal the potential of the creative economy to accomplish sustainable development in Thailand. Even though the concept of creative economy is being used diversely in the world, the core concept and expected outcome address it as the potential solution for the country to tackle the current situation and stimulate the growth and development with sustainability. However, there is an interesting argument by the end of this research to see whether the effectiveness of a creative economy to achieve sustainable development would present a progress to achieve the sustainable development of Thailand. Lastly, it could be answered why Thailand could not make great progress to achieve sustainable development for the country these days when there is the potential tool in country.

Balancing matters?re-visiting security-development nexus and its operation on ‘secure and prosperous’ national goals Thailand 2014-2024

Title: Balancing matters?re-visiting security-development nexus and its operation on ‘secure and prosperous’ national goals Thailand 2014-2024

Author: Miss Thiraphon Singlor

Year: 2023

Keywords: Security-Development Nexus, National Development, National Policies, National Power, Hard Power, Military Roles in Development, Thailand

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The main objective of this thesis is to assess the significance of the security-development nexus for Thailand and explore the necessity of achieving balance within it. Through qualitative document analysis, the study addresses two research questions—the operations and implications of the nexus for the country’s security and prosperity. It assesses the theory of ‘balance’ across Thailand’s national-level policies, encompassing the 20-Year National Strategy and its overarching national goals of Security, Prosperity, and Sustainability, as well as the National Economic and Social Development Policy and Plan, National Security Policy and Plan, and Defense Policy. Findings reveal that Thailand’s security and development policies continue to evolve from Cold War influences, adapting to modernization trends, including integration into the global economy while navigating external pressures. Thailand maintains flexibility and international stability through its longstanding balance of power strategy, while also demonstrating ambition in assuming leadership roles in development. These policies acknowledge security and development as both instruments and objectives. However, analysis based on international indexes and national progress reports reveals that Thailand’s current trajectory exhibits both acceptable and unacceptable imbalances, failing to achieve high levels of either goal. This finding emphasizes the pivotal importance of maintaining a balanced strategy. The balanced nexus could be acknowledged as a form of national power, specifically hard power, to further enhance Thailand’s balance of power. This thesis underscores the nexus’s significance for aspiring middle-power countries seeking socio-economic development and international influence. It recommends that Thailand address the unacceptable imbalance by refining its ‘military modernity’ and the military roles in development, essential for leveraging military capabilities in national development effectively

The ontological politics of waters in northern Thailand: a hydrosocial analysis of the Ing river basin

Title: The ontological politics of waters in northern Thailand: a hydrosocial analysis of the Ing river basin

Author: Mr.Thianchai Surimas

Year: 2023

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middelton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Through a hydrosocial perspective, this research illustrates how political contestation between different networks of actors in the Ing River Basin produces different versions of water, which reflect divergent interests, different meanings and water ontologies that underpin the tensions and conflicts. This research employs ethnography to study networks of actors involved in water controversies and tensions over the hydraulic infrastructure project in the Ing River Basin. The network of project proponents, including a state-led hydraulic institution, experts, farmers, and other actors, see water as a source of economic activities due to its close association with modern irrigation schemes for rice-intensive and agricultural livelihoods. The project planners see water as a natural resource and reduce water to its materiality and physical dimensions. Water is tied with the idea of development that values large-scale infrastructure, and top-down bureaucratic management embodied scientific knowledge in controlling water, mainly for economic purposes. Meanwhile, project opponents, including civil society organizations, environmental NGOs, academic activists, and some community members, understand water as a living river and environmental water. Living river and environmental water are produced through the coproduction of knowledge research, ecological and environmental campaigns, ceremonial and traditional practices, sacred rivers, and alternative livelihoods, all of which position water outside of modernist ontology. Living river and environmental water are socially, environmentally, spiritually, religious and culturally embedded with water. So, water is more complex than and more than a resource for exploitation. The project proponent and project opponent networks need to enrol and maintain their relationship with the village, which bolsters the community's position in negotiation in the conflicts and contestations. Therefore, villagers' livelihoods and needs were a middle ground for both networks in contestation. However, local villagers' livelihoods need irrigation water and environmental water, so this middle-ground area needs to stabilize modern and nonmodern water. This paper argues that water-related conflicts and tension in the Ing River Basin are rooted in such ontological differences. The approaches can be used to understand and frame a better water policy

Power dynamics in environmental policy: a case of the Pasig river rehabilitation commission's dissolution

Title: Power dynamics in environmental policy: a case of the Pasig river rehabilitation commission's dissolution

Author: Miss Maria Michaela Jazmines

Year: 2023

Keywords: Power Politics, Pasig River, Environmental Policy, Philippines

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The Pasig River is located at the heart of Metro Manila and has been vital for trade, transportation, and livelihood. However, it became one of the most polluting rivers in the world due to rapid industrialization. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) was established in 1999 to address this issue. The creation of the PRRC emphasized the state’s mandate to protect the right of the people to have a balanced ecology. However, the PRRC was dissolved in 2019 by former President Rodrigo Duterte stating that the river is “uncleanable.” Interestingly, the Pasig River Expressway was approved shortly after, suggesting an agenda shift from environmental conservation to infrastructure development.This thesis is rooted in an inquiry on how political leaders remain in power despite crafting policies that do not benefit the majority. The research looks into the dissolution of the PRRC as a case study to explore the influence of power politics on environmental policy in the Philippines. It uses de Mesquita and Smith’s three coalition theory which suggests that policy-making is influenced by the distribution of a country’s three coalitions. An imbalance in the composition may influence a government’s ability to provide good governance. A theory-testing methodology is used wherein data is collected through document analysis and interviews with key stakeholders. The thesis reveals that the PRRC’s dissolution was influenced by the need to secure support from influential groups that benefited from infrastructure projects like PAREX. The findings highlight how the power dynamics in the Philippines enabled political leaders to prioritize agendas that benefit a small powerful coalition even if it does not benefit the majority of the population. The case study demonstrates the principle of how good governance is not essential to a democratic government as leaders are able to satisfy a minor section of the population yet still remain in power. The research then provides possible strategies to tackle these cases such as political clamor and public protests. Ultimately, the study aims to provide insights into the mechanisms of policy-making in the Philippines. It offers a framework that can be applied to other development issues as well. The research contributes to the existing literature on power politics and environmental policy, particularly in the context of developing countries

Climate Imaginaries and Human Mobility: complicating climate mobility as adaptation in Thailand

Title: Climate Imaginaries and Human Mobility: complicating climate mobility as adaptation in Thailand

Author: Miss Clare Steiner

Year: 2022

Keywords: Climate Migration, Human Mobility, Climate Change, Thailand

Theme: Human Development and Human Security

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: For centuries, agricultural households in Thailand have engaged in mobility to adapt to environmental change and climate shocks. However, current framings of “climate migration as adaptation” obscure how these adaptation pathways are constructed by existing power relations, leaving institutions liable to re-enforce inequality. This thesis uses the concept of “imaginaries” to de-construct how certain knowledge and values advance over others in the process of negotiating and acting towards a preferable future. It employs a dual methodological approach with a case study of Baan Non Daeng in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand to analyze dominant imaginaries in Thailand and their function and limitations in assessing smallholder farmer mobility decision-making in the context of slow on-set environmental change. The thesis first performs a discourse analysis of institutional policy texts on climate change, migration, and development in Thailand to find that institutions value futures that encourage smallholder farmers to leverage their existing resources and act as entrepreneurial agents of development. It also finds that climate mobility imaginaries are founded on the idea of the well-resourced migrant who has access to longer distance mobilities that can transform rural livelihoods. The thesis then uses interviews conducted in Baan Non Daeng to complicate these imaginaries and engage with structural political economy factors driving relative (im)mobilities. It finds that relative positioning influences household perceptions of environmental risks and resources that contribute towards differing practices and scales of mobility. The thesis ends by arguing for processes like knowledge co-production and translocal visioning that better address root issues of marginalization in policy and practice

Migrant trainees and social inclusion : a study of construction and electronics company in Japan

Title: Migrant trainees and social inclusion : a study of construction and electronics company in Japan

Author: Mr.Kazuhiro Watanabe

Year: 2022

Keywords: social inclusion, migrant trainees, TITP, international development

Theme: Migration

Advisor(s): Supang Chantavanich

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This research analyzed the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) by using the concept of social inclusion and discussed the factors that inhibit the social inclusion of trainees. Not much previous research on has been done on this because trainees are allowed to stay in Japan temporarily and they must go back to their home countries after the training is over. However, trainees contribute economic growth in Japan and play an important role for solving issues of the labor force. Realizing social inclusion of trainees is thus a significant issue for Japan. Factors that inhibit the social inclusion of trainees includes language barriers, institutional barriers”, and psychological barriers. Through a case study of Nagasaki city, the local governments’ initiatives contribute to include foreign trainees in Japanese society through programs such as citizen volunteers, language classes and legal consultation.This research concluded that increasing the opportunities to contact foreign workers and Japanese workers in regards to understanding the issues that foreign workers face in Japan are key factors to realize the social inclusion of trainees. To realize the international development role of TITP and safe migration, it is necessary to create clear criteria for Japanese language education and create an environment where all stakeholders work together to support trainees.

Intersectionality and livelihoods of conflict-induced displaced Myanmar women in Mae Sot, Thailand

Title: Intersectionality and livelihoods of conflict-induced displaced Myanmar women in Mae Sot, Thailand

Author: Miss Su Myat Thwe

Year: 2022

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The Sustainable Development Goals Report (2022) highlighted the global displacement crisis as 24.5 million population impacted by conflict by mid-2021; 311 out of every 100,000 people worldwide seeking refuge outside their country of origin[1]. The cycle of migration to Thailand from Myanmar has a special history with many intersecting factors of forced migration and a new trend emerges following 1st February 2021: only 1,527 cases in 9 shelters[2]; 986,670 regularized as migrant workers in 2021[3]; tens of thousands of unrecorded. The role of Myanmar’s unsung heroines cannot go forgotten. From a sociocultural conservative country with a constitution drafted by a patriarchal institution, women have increasingly involved in the revolution either as active actors or as a rearguard while armed resistance intensifies - 44% of Myanmar regularized workers in Thailand are women when most of the job openings for women tend to be in informal sectors[4]. Due to the fast-paced development of the conflict in Myanmar, while the prolonged civil unrest or the recent events are often viewed from a traditional security lens, the subtlety of women’s role in the cross-border settlement and the elusive nature of intersectionality in non-convention party state are rarely approached from a human security perspective.This research provides a gendered intersectionality perspective on academic studies of human security in conflict-induced cross-border livelihoods while, at the same time, accentuating the resilience of women in displacement situations during conflict times amidst the elusive nature of discrimination at different levels. Through focusing on the human security of Myanmar women in Mae Sot asking how the unfulfilled aspects of human rights in country-of-origin Myanmar and prejudice towards individual identities they hold onto intersect with getting legal protection and socioeconomic standing in the host country Thailand, which livelihood assets the individuals have and in what ways the actors are ensuring such have been explored through integrative inputs from expert practitioners and community actors to introduce how transdisciplinary approach to participatory humanitarian assistance can help build the resilience of such population to achieve sustainable livelihoods. [1] UN DESA (2022). The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 - July 2022. New York, USA: UN DESA. © UN DESA. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2022/[2] TBC (2021, 2022). Refugee Camp Population: January 2021 vs Refugee Camp Population: December 2022. The Border Consortium.[3] ILO. (2022). TRIANGLE in ASEAN Quarterly Briefing Note: Myanmar (July to September 2022). Bangkok: International Labour Organization.[4] Sakulsri, T. (2022). Challenges of Labor Migrants to Thailand: Issues of Bilateral Agreements for the Employment of Workers in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Journal of Population and Social Studies

FPTP electoral system of Myanmar as a barrier for Ethnic Minority Inclusiveness in parliamentary decision-making

Title: FPTP electoral system of Myanmar as a barrier for Ethnic Minority Inclusiveness in parliamentary decision-making

Author: Miss Yamonh Pwint Thit

Year: 2022

Keywords: Inclusiveness, Ethnic Minority, FPTP, Representation

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: In Myanmar, the ethnic minority do not have equal access to public services to raise their issues and voices for it. They are not adequately represented in state institutions by the political system which does not grant the adequate opportunities to participate in decision-making at union level.Ethnic minorities believe that all groups should have equal access to public services and enjoy an efficient system of protection of human rights. Ethnic Diversity may result in tensions within the nation when one group is economically or socially or politically dominant or privileged. By being discriminated and marginalized through the political system, ethnic grievances have centered on the lack of inclusive decision making and it leads to internal tension and civil wars between ethnic groups and government. Hence, the lack of ethnic minority inclusiveness and a weak system of fair representation impact on the human security of ethnic minority groups. The electoral system of Myanmar, “First Past the Post” (FPTP) did not create a fair share of seats according to the number of votes each political party receives. As a result, these groups do not get their preferred representatives to raise their voices in parliament, while the winner who represents only some people becomes the representative of the whole constituency. Thus, Myanmar’s current electoral system is not creating inclusive representation of political parties in parliament.According to the principle of inclusivity, governance systems should ensure that all significant communities in a country are represented in state institutions and that they are granted adequate opportunities to meaningfully influence decision making. Paper will explain about the ethno-nationalism and the history of Myanmar, Electoral system and Constitution which diminish the inclusiveness and re-designing the considerable electoral system for better inclusiveness.

Unpacking gender inequality for inclusive development: a case study of Myanmar female migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand

Title: Unpacking gender inequality for inclusive development: a case study of Myanmar female migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand

Author: Miss Hsan Thawdar Htun

Year: 2022

Keywords: Gender inequality, Gender Discrimination, Intersectionality, Myanmar female migrant workers, Thailand’s seafood industry

Theme: Gender

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The study aims to address the issue of gender inequality in Thailand's seafood industry, with a specific focus on Myanmar female migrant workers in Mahachai (Samut Sakhon province). Although women migrant workers play a significant role in Thailand's economy, they have been facing various challenges in low-wage industries. Gender inequality remains a prominent concern in these low-skilled labor-intensive workplaces like seafood industry. While there have been studies on migration that include both men and women or focus solely on women, gender has not received sufficient emphasis in understanding the experiences of female migrant workers, particularly in the seafood industry. This research aims to fill this gap by examining the prevalent features of gender inequality in the working and living conditions of Myanmar female migrant workers in the seafood industry by applying the intersectionality theory. The research adopts a case-study qualitative approach, by collecting primary and secondary data. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews are conducted with 10 Myanmar female migrant workers from the seafood industry, both within and outside formal factory settings as well as 2 civil society organization members from the labour network called Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN). By using content analysis and presenting unique case studies of female migrant workers, the study finds that Myanmar female migrant workers in the seafood industry, face gender discrimination and gender inequality based on multiple intersecting factors such as gender, migration status, marital status, ethnicity that relates to intersectionality. Gender inequality and discrimination features are more prevalent when migration status is added in the intersection of gender and marital status in the seafood industry. The findings of this research will serve as a valuable resource for development experts and non-governmental actors to develop gender-responsive strategies and to promote the role of women migrant workers in Thailand's industrial growth

Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)'s role in digitalization for vocational education development: A comparative analysis of Indonesia and Thailand

Title: Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)'s role in digitalization for vocational education development: A comparative analysis of Indonesia and Thailand

Author: Miss Anastasia Sylvia

Year: 2022

Keywords: Regional Cooperation in Education, Vocational Education, Industry 4.0, Digitalisation in Education, Indonesia, Thailand, SEAMEO, GIZ, SEAMEO VOCTECH

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Vong-on Phuaphansawat

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis focuses on the role of the SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) role in vocational education development in Industry 4.0. Nowadays, there is a demand for the education sector to align with Industry 4.0, known as Education 4.0. In 2018, the SEAMEO, in collaboration with the GIZ, launched a Regional In-Service Training Modules project to support vocational education for Education 4.0. This study compares the impact of the Regional In-Service Training Modules project in two countries with a medium level of education performance in Southeast Asia: Indonesia and Thailand.This study employs a qualitative method with a case study. Data are collected from depth-interviews with 11 key informants, concept notes, original publications and literature from reliable sources. Data are analyzed using a thematic analysis method and Stuffle Beam's CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation model as a conceptual framework.Overall, this thesis concludes that SEAMEO matters for education development and supporting digitalisation in vocational education for Indonesia and Thailand.There are three significant findings from this study. Firstly, this study found that SEAMEO has provided access to conduct a project at the regional level and gather participants from 11 countries simultaneously. However, SEAMEO's level of intervention is limited due to their non-binding and non-intervention nature, like ASEAN. Secondly, this study found that digitalisation in vocational education does not mean going fully digital; Instead, vocational education shifts towards blended learning by combining online and face-to-face learning. The analysis concludes that practical skills in vocational education are hard to be taught online. Thirdly, the project's different outcomes at the national level are affected by national policy, participants' initiative, funding from GIZ and governments, and the center for practical training readiness in teaching about Industry 4.0.Based on the findings and analysis, this study recommends that SEAMEO collaborate with private sectors for their upcoming project to improve their quality. Secondly, vocational education institution in Indonesia and Thailand should strengthen their relationship with Industry to understand the criteria for skilled labor that Industry expects. Last, the Indonesian and Thai governments could learn from each other to improve education policiesThis thesis aims to study the role of SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education) in developing vocational education in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Currently, there is a need for the education sector to develop in line with Industry 4.0, or Education 4.0. In 2022, SEAMEO, together with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), launched the Regional In-Service Training Modules project to support vocational education in Industry 4.0. This research compares the outcomes of the Regional In-Service Training Modules project in two Southeast Asian countries with average educational outcomes: Indonesia and Thailand. This research employs qualitative methods with case studies. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 11 key informants, recording key ideas, original publications, and literature reviews from reliable sources. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis and the Stuffle Beam's CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation model as the overall conceptual framework for this thesis. In summary, SEAMEO is crucial for the development of education and digital support in vocational education for Indonesia and Thailand. This study yielded three key findings: Firstly, the study found that SEAMEO provides access to implement regional projects and brings together participants from 11 countries simultaneously. However, SEAMEO's level of intervention is limited due to its lack of legally binding effect and its non-intervention compared to ASEAN. Secondly, the study found that the digital transformation in vocational education does not necessarily mean full digitalization, but rather a shift towards blended learning combining online and face-to-face classroom learning. The analysis concludes that teaching practical skills in vocational education online is challenging. Thirdly, the differing outcomes of projects at the national level are impacted by national policies, participant initiatives, funding from GIZ and the government, and centers for practical training readiness in industry-related instruction. 4.0 Based on this research and analysis, it is recommended that SEAMEO collaborate with the private sector on future projects to improve quality. Secondly, vocational education institutions in Indonesia and Thailand should strengthen their relationships with industry to understand the criteria for skilled labor that industry expects. Finally, the Indonesian and Thai governments can learn from each other to improve their educational policies more effectively.

Studying the Failure of Democratization in Myanmar from the Perspective of Electoral Politics

Title: Studying the Failure of Democratization in Myanmar from the Perspective of Electoral Politics

Author: Miss Su Myat Noe

Year: 2022

Keywords: Myanmar, elections, military coup, democratization.

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This paper will examine the relations between elections and democratic transition in Myanmar after 2010. From 2011 until the coup in February 2021, Myanmar had elections to elect a government after decades of military rule. The elections led to the first civilian government to form a government in 2016. In the past ten years of democratization, there have been no significant election fraud or manipulations. However, the electoral system in Myanmar could not be a stabilizing and legitimate institution for democratic rule. Rather, it was ineffective in embedding democratic values in society and in limiting the authority of the military and civilian political elites. In this paper, the instance of Myanmar is placed within the context of democratization literature and the ways in which elections affect the costs of oppression and toleration between the ruling party and the opposition. This paper will analyze that even when free and fair elections are held, the democratic process can still fail if the elections cannot increase the costs of oppression and decrease the costs of toleration. It will explain that, despite generally free and fair elections in Myanmar prior to the coup in February 2021, they were unable to hold the powerful institutions accountable to the people and foster a situation where elites upheld democratic norms and exercised self-control.

Assessing the contribution of Thailand’s poultry agribusiness towards mitigating climate change

Title: Assessing the contribution of Thailand’s poultry agribusiness towards mitigating climate change

Author: Miss Tita Phairaksa

Year: 2022

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This research provides an overview of the Thailand agreement on greenhouse gas emissions, specifically focusing on the meat industry, and examines the roles of the government, private companies, and civil society in Thailand. Research indicates that the meat industry has significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.Livestock for meat consumption has been a major contributor to environmental issues such as climate change, water pollution, and deforestation. Livestock alone contributes a substantial percentage to global climate change. This issue has become a critical transboundary concern affecting not only one specific country or region.In response to the environmental impacts and the global challenge of climate change, the Thai government signed and committed to the Paris Agreement in 2015, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thailand has set a target to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030, and the Climate Change Master Plan (2015-2050) envisions achieving sustainable low-carbon growth and climate resilience by 2050. However, the country's environmental policy still lacks clarity and a specific focus on greenhouse gas emissions from the meat industry.Currently, Thai meat industries do not include information about greenhouse gas emissions in their environmental reports, and they tend to overlook environmental issues related to their operations. Moreover, these industries possess significant influence over the media, controlling information about the environmental impact of the meat industry. As a result, civil society has taken a leading role in raising awareness about this issue, rather than relying on the government or industry itself.In conclusion, my research findings suggest that the Thai government's lack of a robust environmental policy and management approach has contributed to weak regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the meat industry. There is a need for more comprehensive and concerted efforts from all stakeholders to address this pressing environmental concern effectively

Human Security of the Karen Community in Chiang Mai’s Forest Fires, Thailand

Title: Human Security of the Karen Community in Chiang Mai’s Forest Fires, Thailand

Author: Miss Yukari Otsuka

Year: 2022

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Human Development and Human Security

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: When studying the human security of marginalized people such as indigenous people, they are generally interpreted as a focus that needs to be particularly protected. However, it differs in the context of natural disasters in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Karen people, one of the largest ethnic populations in Chiang Mai, are subsistent farmers who use fires as a life tool and are often blamed as the cause of forest fires. As one kind of natural disaster, forest fires are a common occurrence in Northern Thailand every dry season. Chiang Mai is one of the significant provinces in Thailand with the eighth population and experiences devasting forest fires. To solve the issues of forest fires and associated air pollution, the government implemented a non-burning policy that impacts the farming procedures of the Karen community and their entire human security situation.This research applies a qualitative method and utilizes a case study of the devastating forest fires in Chiang Mai in 2020. Through semi-structured interviews with Karen villagers (n=15) in Chiang Mai with the aid of a research assistant, this research aims to assess the human security situation of the Karen community facing forest fires. This research explores forest fires’ impacts on the Karen community through a Human Security lens. This research also examines conditions and factors that affect human security situations and vulnerability and capability that impact the Karen community.This research finds that the policy executed without arranging and preparing a counterplan with Karen farmers who are “citizens” directly affected the entire Karen community in Chiang Mai. This research concludes that this political insecurity hugely affected the entire human security of the Karen community facing forest fires, especially food and health security. This research, therefore, argues that the capability of the Karen community to enhance their human security situation is limited by political insecurities and ethical discrimination.

The Community Forestry case study in KIO-controlled areas, Momauk Township in Kachin State Myanmar

Title: The Community Forestry case study in KIO-controlled areas, Momauk Township in Kachin State Myanmar

Author: Miss Ma Khaw Lwe

Year: 2022

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: In Kachin State, Myanmar, forests are crucial for sustaining livelihoods and cultural significance for the Kachin people. However, recent decades have seen rapid changes driven by state-led development, economic growth, and prolonged conflict with Kachin Independence Army (KIO) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. This has resulted in overexploitation, deforestation, and the conversion of forest lands to contract farming, particularly near the border with eastern Kachin State and China. To address these challenges, CF programs were introduced in KIOcontrolled areas with active involvement from local NGOs. Consequently, nine villages in Momauk and Mansi townships first obtained CF certificates from the KIO government, proactively establishing community forests to support sustainable livelihoods and systematic forest management. The primary objective of this research is to explore how Community Forest (CF) programs in Kachin-controlled areas can be strengthened through inclusive governance practices to enhance sustainable forest use and improve livelihoods. Adopting qualitative research methods, this study specifically focuses on two communities in Momauk Township that have been actively practicing CF for the past decade. Through in-depth interviews and group discussions, the research aims to identify inclusive governance practices that positively contribute to sustainability, while also highlighting weaknesses or failures that require improvement. The findings reveal that community forestry governance arrangements in Kachincontrolled areas have evolved to become more inclusive, actively involving all community members in decision-making processes. Traditional local practices and indigenous knowledge have significantly contributed to promoting sustainable forest use, supported by external stakeholders through education, training, and incentives. However, challenges persist, requiring a legal framework to address resource exploitation by local authorities, which poses risks to the long-term sustainability of CF initiatives. In conclusion, this thesis provides valuable insights into strengthening Community Forestry programs in Kachin-controlled areas. By analyzing inclusive governance practices and identifying areas for improvement, this research contributes to the promotion of sustainable forest management and improved livelihoods for ethnic communities in the region.