Khine Zin Yu Aung (2020) Youths' participation in agriculture for enhancing sustainable livelihoods: A case study of the Pa-O self-administered zone in southern Shan state, Myanmar

Title: Youths' participation in agriculture for enhancing sustainable livelihoods: A case study of the Pa-O self-administered zone in southern Shan state, Myanmar

Author: Khine Zin Yu Aung

Year: 2020

Keywords: Agriculture, Youths, Sustainable Livelihoods, Rural Development

Theme: Human Development and Human Security

Advisor(s): Carl Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Myanmar in which 70 percent of the population is rural people relies on agricultural sector for its economy. It contributes about 37.8 percent of the country’s GDP and employs about 50 percent of the labors (FAO, 2020). However, Myanmar’s agricultural sector is not well developed and does not stand as reliable livelihood for the people, especially for the youths, in rural areas. Hence, the people in rural areas have to seek more livelihood opportunities like leaving their farmlands and moving to other places for work. This situation has impact both on youths and on the agricultural sector which needs youths’ capacities for its development. Therefore, this study focuses on the challenges for the youths in rural areas in approaching their livelihoods, their contribution to agricultural development and how to support them in enhancing sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. This study is conducted through qualitative methods with the use of case study of Pa-O SAZ located in Southern Shan state of Myanmar. The findings result that youths have more challenges for access to natural capital and less challenges for access to physical, social and human capitals. Another significant finding is that both youths and the elders have challenges for access to knowledge or information on their livelihoods. The strengths of the youths for agricultural livelihoods are having more capabilities to adapt with new techniques, innovative ways as well as to connect with varieties of people. For their livelihoods, the youths make decision depending on the factors of having experiences and exposures, support from government and organizations, education, parents and families’ background and access to finance. This study also argues that sustainable livelihood is not only about getting more wages and profit but also about having job and social security. Though agriculture is not promising and reliable work in terms of wages or profit, it can still be regarded as a main livelihood in terms of sustainability in Pa-O SAZ. Hence, diversification becomes the most preferred livelihood strategy for all of the youths participated in this study. Therefore, the study suggests to promote the youths’ participation in agriculture through financial and technical supports from government, NGOs, CSOs, CBOs and the private sector in order to enhance more sustainable livelihoods in Pa-O SAZ.

Yunkang Liu (2020) Social innovation and inclusive business model for the bottom of the pyramid : A case study of organic tourism ecosystem in Thailand

Title: Social innovation and inclusive business model for the bottom of the pyramid : A case study of organic tourism ecosystem in Thailand

Author: Yunkang Liu

Year: 2020

Keywords: Inclusive Business Model, Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP), Organic Tourism, Nakhon Pathom

Theme: Innovation for Inclusive Development

Advisor(s): Sirima Thongsawang

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Social inequality and poverty are major challenges facing all humans in the 21st century. At the same time, income gaps, uneven development of urban-rural, and poverty as the stumbling block of Thailand to achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It is necessary to explore new development models by promoting social innovation. On the one hand, in the past few decades, the private sector is one of the main contributors to Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the ASEAN region. It is important to encourage the private sector to assume more responsibilities for contributing to local development. The inclusive business model as a business approach with a focus on the improved benefits of the “Bottom of the Pyramid” community, and promote sustainable development economically, socially, and environmentally. On the other hand, the tourism industry has contributed to Thailand’s economic prosperity and poverty reduction, but some research shows that under certain circumstances, tourism has also deepened the fissures separating the rich and poor, and worsens wealth distribution. In this thesis, an inclusive business case study was selected which call the "Suan Sampran" organic tourism project in the Nakhon Pathom province of Thailand. Based on the qualitative research method through in-depth interviews with different project stakeholders, to analyze the role of the private sector’ inclusive business model on promoting inclusive growth for Thai society. This research finds that develop inclusive business in the organic tourism industry helps improve the “Bottom of the Pyramid” community’s sustainable livelihoods which leads to promoting poverty reduction and social equality in Thailand. Besides, this research may also help to investigate the challenges in implementing the inclusive business model in the organic tourism industry of Thailand

Lucile Charriaut (2020) Policy engagements for a just decarbonisation : China’s 2060 carbon neutrality pledge’s ramifications on the coal industry workforce in Shanxi

Title: Policy engagements for a just decarbonisation : China’s 2060 carbon neutrality pledge’s ramifications on the coal industry workforce in Shanxi

Author: Lucile Charriaut

Year: 2020

Keywords: Just decarbonisation, Environmental justice, Coal workers, Carbon, neutrality, Policy support

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: To achieve its ambitious carbon neutrality pledge by 2060, China, whose energy mix is still largely dominated by coal, must progressively phase out coal-fired power plants. Being highly polluting, coal is no longer perceived as suitable to promote a sustainable, clean, and long-standing economy. Shanxi, a landlocked northern province, is considered one of China’s most coal-dependent provinces and accounts for a colossal coal workforce depending on the industry. Such a transition will, therefore, considerably alter the economic prospects and labour relations of this province. Considering the inevitability to lay off coal workers, the objective of this thesis is to determine how just China’s policies are in the context of Shanxi’s decarbonisation and the impacts of the transition on coal workers. Specifically, it examines if Shanxi will lead a ‘just decarbonisation’, emphasising a just transition in industries to be decarbonised with respect to the right to decent work.To answer the main research question, this thesis conducted a qualitative content analysis of available policy documents that support coal workers in Shanxi, as well as semi-structured interviews with experts of China’s environmental policies. The analysis closely examined the formulation of support policies to determine whether they are mentioning keywords in alignment with the just decarbonisation concept. Through a human rights-based approach, the concept of environmental justice, and the political concept of fragmented authoritarianism, this paper found that numerous policies are available to support coal workers throughout unemployment and re-employment. These results suggest that different needs and employment difficulties are identified and highly recognised in the formulation of policy documents. Nevertheless, aspects of procedural justice, involving the use of participatory approaches, were the least retrieved in the policy analysis in consideration of China’s top-down bureaucratic structure. The thesis concludes that within various relevant policies, numerous measures are available to ensure a just decarbonisation, although the challenge of their successful implementation is not yet assured.

Natdanai Kietigaroon (2020) Thailand as a performative state : An analysis of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy towards the people’s republic of China /

Title: Thailand as a performative state: An analysis of Thailand’s cultural diplomacy towards the People’s Republic of China

Author: Natdanai Kietigaroon

Year: 2020

Keywords: Chineseness, Performative State, Chinese communities, International Relations, Cultural Diplomacy

Theme: post development

Advisor(s): Pongphisoot Busbarat

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Thailand as a performative state is a research that looked at the cultural dimensions of Thailand’s diplomacy, by taking the alternative view on Thai cultural diplomacy towards PRC. Thai cultural diplomacy, according to existing literature, revolves around promoting Thainess. However, in the case of China, Thailand has been using Chineseness as Thai cultural diplomacy. The research specifically looked at five Thai state actors that are most involved with Chineseness, namely, the royal family, the government, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Two questions were raised in this research. Firstly, how Chineseness is being used in Thai cultural diplomacy, where the research will lay out events, initiatives, speeches, etc. from the Thai state, that constitute as Chineseness. The research, then, categorizes how Chineseness is being promoted by the Thai State actors, by analyzing the initiatives as Old Chineseness as portrayed by Sampheng Chinese community or New Chineseness as portrayed by Huai Khwang Chinese community, two largest, yet, very distinctive Chinese communities in Bangkok. Findings show that Old Chineseness is portrayed more across all five Thai state actors.Consequently, the question of why does the Thai State use Sampheng Chineseness in Thai cultural diplomacy is asked, which will throw light on why the Old Chineseness, portrayed by old Chinese communities in Thailand like Sampheng, is still represented in Thai cultural diplomacy, even more than the new and modern-day Sino-centric Chineseness, that is more attached to the present-day PRC. The findings proved that Old Chineseness is used more because of the assimilated Sampheng Chinese community and how they have integrated into Thai society, Chinese state’s influence over Thai cultural diplomacy, and the royal family’s personal interests in Chineseness.

William Midwinter(2019) Human rights due diligence: participation and innovation in multi-national business in Thailand

Title: Human rights due diligence: participation and innovation in multi-national business in Thailand

Author: William Midwinter

Year: 2019

Keywords: HRDD, Multinational Corporations, labor rights, Innovation

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) for Business and Human Rights has contributed to the way in which businesses engage with, and understand human rights, and has been most notable at the Multinational Corporations (MNC) level. A key duty placed on businesses is the expectation that they will conduct human rights due diligence (HRDD) across their supply chains. This multifaceted process involves the identification of actual or potential human rights impacts that the business may have in their supply chains, drawing heavily on notions of transparency, traceability and stakeholder engagement, and is the focus of this thesis. Concentrating specifically on Thailand and labor rights, this thesis explores the challenges faced by businesses when conducting HRDD, and assesses the role of innovation in the identification of labor rights. Therefore HRDD and managing innovation are conceptualized to form the framework of this study, thus assessing how the two interrelate. The thesis does this through nine in-depth interviews with Business and Human Rights experts and five with the staff of MNCs, amongst multiple secondary sources. The thesis aims to be an acknowledgement of current challenges and good practice, in the hope that it can motivate other businesses to innovate in their HRDD process. Innovation is proved to be necessary in the course of this thesis by acknowledging the challenges that exist(ed) with HRDD from a corporate perspective, while also identifying examples of good practice on a Thai and global scale. Furthermore, the thesis formulates the importance of stakeholder engagement in HRDD and explores the limits as to who can qualify as a stakeholder. Following this, the challenges and advantages of three BHR tools are put forth. These are; the established auditing process, human rights impact assessments, and workers voice programs. It is argued that all of these tools are necessary when identifying labor rights abuses and should be encouraged throughout the supply chain, however alone they do not offer a comprehensive identification process as they each have shortfalls. The thesis argues that although some challenges remain, MNCs should consider and be inspired by Tushman and Nadler’s (1986) critical factors for organizational innovation to an extent, and apply them in a labor rights context so to innovate ways of identifying potential areas of risk. These critical factors often don’t transfer directly from an organizational context to a labor rights one, however there is value in acknowledging and adapting them. These include, but are not limited to; having a multiskilled individual overseeing the HRDD process, formal linking mechanisms between BHR stakeholders, venturing for innovations beyond the corporation, exploring and developing norms, building diverse communication networks, and considering critical roles. By continually innovating, MNCs can strengthen and deepen their stakeholder engagement which can perhaps take their HRDD process beyond standard compliance and domestic laws, to respecting human rights on an international level

Michael John Young (2019) Building community resilience through community based tourism in northern Thailand: the importance of social capital

Title: Building community resilience through community based tourism in northern Thailand: the importance of social capital

Author: Michael John Young

Year: 2019

Keywords: community resilience, resilience, social capital, community based tourism

Theme: Social Welfare

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Tourism has an omnipresence of application as a development tool, especially in rural areas within lesser developed countries. However, tourism development, particularly alternative forms of tourism such as Community Based Tourism (CBT) have and continue to face a multitude of barriers. As communities globally are facing greater uncertainties and stressors to local systems, it is imperative to build resilient communities. Thus, community resilience should not be taken as an end-goal, yet an iterative process for such to absorb, adapt and ultimately transform in the face of and after change. This research aims to offer a unique insight into how these concepts can not only explain the conditions of how Mae Kampong were able to transform and enhance resilience through CBT, but how the feedback of developing CBT has reinforced (positive and negative) nodes of social capital amongst the community. Based on an exploratory case-study approach of Mae Kampong in Northern Thailand, analysis was conducted utilizing data source triangulation, whereby a thorough contextual analysis of the community’s development of CBT was derived from semi-structured interviews with experts, local resident’s, external stakeholders (n=18) and complemented by desktop literary review. Interviews were conducted remotely via multichannel and telecommunication means, performed by the author and the aid of a research assistant, with analysis utilizing deductive and inductive thematic analysis. This research brings social capital and its domains to the fore of CBT development. Hence, the coupling of social capital with resilience thinking in the context of CBT forms as valuable lens and vehicle, addressing an overlooked research gap. Thus, the findings suggest the starting point of sustainable tourism development, including CBT, must first look at the local social assets, attributes and capabilities, forming the precursor to the effective implementation of CBT as a development tool that ultimately has the ability to enhance community resilience. Mae Kampong can then be considered a model CBT community, unlike what has been presented in the past

Sujaree Wattanarat (2019) The Disruption of Platform Economy on Income Generating: A Case Study of Workers in On-Demand Food Delivery Platforms in Bangkok

Title: The Disruption of Platform Economy on Income Generating: A Case Study of Workers in On-Demand Food Delivery Platforms in Bangkok

Author: Sujaree Wattanarat

Year: 2019

Keywords: PLATFORM ECONOMY, SHARING ECONOMY, PRECARIOUS WORK, INCOME GENERATING, DIGITAL LABOUR

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Jakkrit Sangkhamanee

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Since the rise platform economy or as many called ‘sharing economy’, it has been called as ‘disruptive’ by many due to its rapid expansion and many changes it has caused. Its effects have incited many discussions on the positive and negative impact platform economy has on workers. Of which this thesis focused on especially in the aspect of workers and income generating. This thesis synthesizes the claims from existing literatures that framed platform economy as disruptive and alternative income generating opportunity that would improve people earning and subsequently their economic life. It also considers the negative claims that framed it as a precarious and exploitative job. The thesis attempts to provide data to both claims by using platform economy in Thailand as case study with a focus on online on-demand food delivery platform in Bangkok. The thesis employs qualitative method by conducting in-depth interviews among 15 drivers from three of the largest food delivery platforms in Thailand: GrabFood, Foodpanda, and Lineman in order to examine the effect that platform economy has on people’s economic life especially in the aspect of income and income generating. The qualitative method also helps in examining the changes that were made by participating in the platform economy. From the finding it can be concluded that platform work in this case study is indeed beneficial in the aspect of income generating and improve financial situation and life of workers. Its differences in work structure as compared to traditional work also give more job opportunities for those who are at disadvantage such as people with low level of education or those who get rejected from traditional work due to their appearance. However it could be considered exploitative in a way that companies are benefiting the most and putting risk, pressure and responsibility on workers instead without providing guarantee and job security causing workers to face with precarity in employment

Lucia Lujan ( 2019) Livelihoods training for internally displaced persons (idps) in Kachin state, Myanmar: success and challenges beneficiaries

Title: Livelihoods training for internally displaced persons (idps) in Kachin state, Myanmar: success and challenges beneficiaries

Author: Lucia Lujan

Year: 2019

Keywords: N.A

Theme: Migration

Advisor(s): Supang Chantavanich

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Over 100,000 persons have been internally displaced from various towns within Kachin State, Myanmar. Starting in 2015, some agencies began providing livelihood support programs for the IDP population in many campsites. This research focuses on the opportunities and challenges faced by Kachin IDPs who receive support from livelihood programs in pursuit of better employment opportunities. Drawing on a qualitative research approach, this research examines two of the most effective livelihood training activities and two less successful livelihood training activities which help IDPs to enhance their employment capacity, increasing their opportunities to receive an income. The livelihood support activities help IDPs to learn new skills and techniques through training. This paper also provides recommendations for livelihood support programs to achieve their long-term goals. There are four main factors that support the effectiveness of IDP livelihood training programs, including long- or short-term time frames to conduct trainings, technical support for skill development, provision of training that is both relevant in the local area and accessible to the local market, and sufficient financial support for trained IDPs after their training. The livelihood support programs must be implemented in consideration of human rights, needs, and strengths, also acknowledging the various contexts of service delivery. The development of policy related to IDP-specific issues needs to invite the participation of the local government and local staff who are experienced in the areas of operation. The livelihood support training programs should be designed as adjustable programs in order to better promote the capacity of IDPs. Furthermore, coordination should be established amongst national organizations, international organizations, local organizations, and other stakeholders to identify the best solutions for promoting employment opportunities for IDPs as each agency possesses different resources which need to be properly allocated for the purpose of IDP capacity building

Frank Tyler Oneal (2019) In search of the ‘right’ kind of financialization: politics of financial inclusion in Thailand

Title: In search of the ‘right’ kind of financialization: politics of financial inclusion in Thailand

Author: Frank Tyler Oneal

Year: 2019

Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Financialization, Thailand, Political Economy

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Ake Tangsupvattana

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis is a critical observation of the politics of financial inclusion in Thailand from 2001 until the present time. The systemic approach embedded in the Political Economy of Complex Interdependence encourages us to focus on the coevolution of financial innovation and regulation. With data collected through interviews, field observations, and doctrinal analysis, I argue that neoliberal axioms embedded in the first policies to expand financial services evolved to engender the financialization of everyday life under auspices of financial inclusion. Furthermore, how the interdependence of financial development and Thaksin's transformative policies recoupled subjects away from the state, and to the Shinawatra brand of politics. Subsequently, each action against the Shinawatra brand or imitation of his policies is an attempt at recoupling subjects back to the state.

Mintira Premruethairat (2019) Empowerment of indigenous women in recovery of post-earthquake 2015 in Nepal: a feminist perspective

Title: Empowerment of indigenous women in recovery of post-earthquake 2015 in Nepal: a feminist perspective

Author: Mintira Premruethairat

Year: 2019

Keywords: Indigenous women, Earthquake 2015, Nepal, Women Empowerment

Theme: Disaster and Crisis Management

Advisor(s): Kasira Cheeppensook

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Discrimination against gender and caste can be overwhelming issue to a person or a group who faces it. Similarly, indigenous women of Nepal have been facing impediments in regard to unequal power relations caused by gender, identity, as well as disaster. With the conceptualization of Feminist Political Ecology, this paper analyzes the subjectivities of a feminist perspective that highlights the lives of indigenous women pre-earthquake and their experiences on how they are affected by power relations in political ecology of Nepal. Along with the findings of the indigenous women’s lives and their experiences amid the earthquake 2015 have also been analyzed with the notion of empowerment in Nepal. In addition, the analysis on the notion of empowerment is made on political, socio-cultural, environmental governance, and economical aspects, as these dimensions are interconnected and intertwined that have consequences on indigenous women in terms of power imbalance, disaster sensitivity, and their empowerment. So, this paper finds it important to explore on such subjectivities to enlighten the stakeholder on the differences that a woman based on gender and caste is facing different forms of impediments on their lives and experiences during a disaster. Likewise, the paper is based on qualitative research with the interview of a focus group on research site named Sankhu/Shankarapur in Kathmandu district (hard-hit area by earthquake 2015), and as well on one-on-one interview with key informants, along with secondary sources for analysis. Hence, this research has been an emphasis on the dynamics of indigenous women’s lives pre-earthquake and their experiences during the earthquake 2015, with the notion of empowerment through the lens of Feminist Political Ecology

Cholnapa Anukul (2019) Toward decent work agenda: case study of domestic care workers in Thailand's care economy

Title: Toward decent work agenda: case study of domestic care workers in Thailand's care economy

Author: Cholnapa Anukul

Year: 2019

Keywords: Aging Society, Decent Work, Care Worker, Care Work, Inequality

Theme: Social Welfare

Advisor(s): Surichai Wungaeo

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Ageing population is global phenomenon. As it causes deficit workforce and family structural change, more care job opportunities are provided. Nevertheless, global care workers are experiencing poor working conditions involving low wage, less social security and hard work. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of indecent work among paid domestic care workers in Thailand, with the aim to give voice and enhance visibility of them. Research methodology includes decent work related regulations and a set of care policies review and eight in-depth interviews of paid domestic care workers. Results are that (i) Thai regulations is inadequate to reward more decent work and unfriendly for representation of care workers. Care policies recognize the role of unpaid volunteer care work. (ii) All paid domestic care workers in this study experienced indecent working conditions and perceive care work as indecent work. Significant finding is that paid domestic care worker are trapped within indecent care work because of three factors, which are invisibility, structural inequality and cultural norms. Apart from changing legal framework, three interventions approaches are recommended: (i) making care work more visible; (ii) tackling inequality within care policies for all workers; and (iii) development of people’s decent work definition

Saw Than Min Htun (2019) Access to overseas higher education for Karen students from the KNU-controlled areas: barriers and coping strategies

Title: Access to overseas higher education for Karen students from the KNU-controlled areas: barriers and coping strategies

Author: Saw Than Min Htun

Year: 2019

Keywords: Overseas higher education, human rights based approach, ethnic education system

Theme: Education

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The provision of education in KNU controlled areas is political as it is indispensable to development and national identity building. In fact, issues of legitimacy are key to understanding education services in these areas. Through the Karen Education and Culture Department, the KNU has mainly been providing education services in its controlled areas with its own curriculum and administration for the past seventy years since the beginning of civil war in Myanmar. However, the students cannot access to universities in Myanmar due to the lack of recognition of their learning attainments by the Myanmar government and only a handful of students could pay their ways to universities abroad. As the KNU is the authority in the areas, the study argues that it has the central roles and responsibilities to fulfill rights to education because the Myanmar government does not have access and control over these areas. This study aims to identify major barriers of the students in accessing overseas higher education by using human rights based approach to higher education, specifically pertaining to availability and accessibility of education and explore how the students coped with the barriers so as to have access to overseas higher education. In this study, thematic analysis is utilized through case study approach under qualitative research methodology. The research finds that there are three emerging barriers pertaining to the practical challenges and two major barriers related to the structural challenges directly influenced by the central government. In order to cope with the barriers, the students used social network, human capital and mobility to Thailand so as to pave their way to overseas higher education. In fact, the students can only access bridging programs if they manage to come to Thai-Myanmar border as Thailand served as a widow of opportunities for them. This suggests that migrant and refugee students from Thai-Burma border have more and better access to overseas higher education than the students in KNU-controlled areas

Shahaba Jamal Khan (2019) The effects of terrorism on girls’ access to education: a case study of swat valley (of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Pakistan

Title: The effects of terrorism on girls’ access to education: a case study of swat valley (of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Pakistan

Author: Shahaba Jamal Khan

Year: 2019

Keywords: Girls’ Education, Extremism, Talibanization, Terrorism, Mingora, Swat Valley

Theme: Education

Advisor(s): Thanapan Laiprakobsup

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Using Women Rights and the Feminist theory on Education, the thesis is aimed to evaluate the effects of terrorism on females of Mingora, Swat, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwah Province in Pakistan. The objective is to analyze the damages caused by extremists to girls’ education in terms of barring them from attending schools and institutions, assassinating and injuring teachers and students, inflicting and causing damages to infrastructure by bombing and destroying schools and college buildings. Secondary data was used as well as video link and phone call interviews as well as the researchers’ observations and documents are also used as the means of data collection. The thesis finds that female students of Swat were vulnerable to severe human rights abuses. These students struggled to recover from the miseries inflicted upon them i.e. ban on girls’ education, oppression of human rights especially women’s right, displacement, social and psychological pressures. As for the social and cultural dimensions, females in general and girls’ students in particular got much more affected than their male counterparts in Mingora, the Swat region. Their economic, cultural and social liberties were forcefully seized. The slow process of rehabilitation has put a lot of negative mental and psychological effects on the sufferers. Recommendations are suggested for policy implications. To reinvigorate and restructure the provincial educational system, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province also needs to bring into action its Act XII-2017 that ensures building a mechanism for the provision of free and compulsory education to the age group of 5 to 16. In addition, to enforce the National Action Plan which was agreed upon by the National Security Council (NSC) for the purpose of eradicating extremists’ ideology from the society by confiscating the hate material, arresting and punishing the propagators of religious hatred, social and gender discriminators

Chau Le Minh Doan (2019) Governmentality, resettlement, and resistance of ethnic minority migrants in Vietnam: a case study in Dak Lak province

Title: Governmentality, resettlement, and resistance of ethnic minority migrants in Vietnam: a case study in Dak Lak province

Author: Chau Le Minh Doan

Year: 2019

Keywords: Governmentality, Ethnic minority, Viet Nam, Migration, Resettlement

Theme: Migration

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This research aimed to learn about the governmentality of the Vietnamese state toward ethnic minority migrants, through the examination of resettlement policy. This study focused on the case study in Cu Kbang commune, Ea Sup district, Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Base on the concepts of "The will to improve" of Tania Li (T. Li, 2007), the researchers examined the resettlement policy as a solution proposed by the Government to resolve the situation of the ethnic minority migration in Central Highland Vietnam. The research used the qualitative methodology and discourse analysis regarding the conceptual framework of Escobar and Li on policy discourse analysis (Escobar, 2011; T. Li, 2007). Hence, the research examines the problems in three-layer: the discourse from above resulting at the resettlement solution; the ethnic minorities rationalize to migrating and interacting with the resettlement policy; the ground situations as the consequents of two discourse interactions. The research found that ethnic minority behaviors have shaped by the governmentality of the state. Not only the migration act but also how they interact with the resettlement policy at the immigrant place. Also, the local authorities have pointed out the ethnic minority migrant is the group that needs to help to have a better life. Thus, the resettlement policy has been proposed to solve the problem — however, the ethnic minority's wish and the government vision not match. As a result, the resettle migrant life still dealing with a lot of challenges. Nevertheless, there a group of migrants refused to resettle and has shown a resistance act toward the policy. The research argument the resettlement is the technical solution of governmentality, representing the government discourse. Moreover, showing the control attempt toward the ethnic minorities, thus, shaping their behaviors toward the government vision

"Bricks in the wall" : sufficiency economy philosophy in Thailand and gaps in the framework

Title: "Bricks in the wall" : sufficiency economy philosophy in Thailand and gaps in the framework

Author: Miss Laura Takenaka

Year: 2019

Keywords: Sufficiency economy philosophy, New Theory, Framework

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Supang Chantavanich

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: His Majesty King Bumibol Adulyadej was inspired by a book called Small is Beautiful, all about how to humanize economics and make development benefit those who need it most. When he saw the devastation after the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, he formulated the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) to help the Thai people recover and to make Thailand more resilient. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the philosophy in depth and find the gaps in the framework. The objectives are to pinpoint the gaps and weaknesses in the current framework, obtain farmers’ insights into the realities of farming via the New Theory, and analyse the feasibility of large corporations using SEP for their internal management. Critical indicators for agribusiness and non-agricultural based businesses are identified. They are the ‘bricks’ of Indicators (operational applications) and a new finding of Democratization. For large corporations, Democratization may not be possible, but the SEP theory could be more flexible in interpretation, such as cooperation could be introduced in stages as a compromise. The Thai Government is promoting the SEP as the vehicle to achieve the United Nations Global Goals. If the SEP is applied both domestically and internationally by the Thai Government, it could achieve the SDG’s Goals 1, 2, 5, and 10. A qualitative study comprised of a comprehensive literature review, a series of participant interviews, participant observation on SEP New Theory farms and research sites as well as speaking to key informants outlined the situation of the New Theory farmer. A macro view of six business case studies of corporations that are said to be SEP compliant were conducted with data analysis and online research as well as email interviews between the researcher and relevant stakeholders

Can offshore wind electricity in Taiwan be sustainable?: the case of Taiwan's first offshore wind project, Formosa 1 in Miaoli

Title: Can offshore wind electricity in Taiwan be sustainable?: the case of Taiwan's first offshore wind project, Formosa 1 in Miaoli

Author: Miss Yu Ju Lin

Year: 2019

Keywords: Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Offshore wind, Taiwan, Formosa 1

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: While sustainability is implementing all over the world to strive to balance the development and environment, Taiwan is also committed to the transition towards renewable energy, and offshore wind electricity is one of the emerging industries with potential, therefore taking its newly operated project as a case study. The purpose of the research is to determine whether offshore wind electricity is a viable solution to achieve inclusive sustainability in Taiwan and the concept of procedural justice is involving to examine the planning and construction stages of the development while environmental justice is applied to evaluate the overall outcome from the perspective of the affected community. As a qualitative research, the thesis conducted two-month fieldwork in Miaoli County, where the coastal fishing area is the site of the country’s first and only wind farm, Formosa 1 which started commercial operations in December 2019, with interviewees including fishers, members of fishery association, government officials, and scholars. The result shows the polarized reaction of the main affected group, the fisher, to the construction owning to the difference in the degree of influence on the two main fishing methods in the area, “gillnetting” and “pole and line”. A small group of the fisher felt unjust while the other recognized the value of the offshore wind project. On the other hand, despite varying degrees, when procedural justice was sought to reduce the losses during the process and the consensus on the outcome was discussed to maximize the long-term gains, environmental justice was actively balanced in the project. Being one of the pioneer academic research to review the case after its completion, this paper concludes that, as Taiwan’s first offshore wind project, Formosa 1 did not fully convince everyone with its sustainability, but with the experiences, it did pave a relatively smooth way for the future development towards sustainability

Feminization, vulnerability, and empowerment of Laotian migrant women in Thailand

Title: Feminization, vulnerability, and empowerment of Laotian migrant women in Thailand

Author: Miss Cai Ling Koh

Year: 2019

Keywords: Laotian Migrant Women, Thailand, Feminization, Vulnerability, Gender Empowerment

Theme: Migration

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis examines the feminization of large-scale, cross-border labour migration of Laotian women who migrate to Thailand for work, and aims to effect useful labour migration policy changes for all migrant women working in Thailand, using Laotian migrant women as a case study. This thesis explicates the feminization process and its gendered implications on Laotian migrant women’s vulnerability working in feminized work sectors in Thailand, using the main concepts of feminization of migration, vulnerability, and gender empowerment. This thesis focuses on qualitative research design, using structured qualitative interviews with 11 Laotian migrant women in domestic work, agricultural work, services work, and garment factory work, and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 13 key informants, namely employers, migrant network leaders, academics and experts in the field of migration. This thesis argues that Laotian migrant women are made vulnerable as they are subjected to gender discrimination in feminized work sectors. They are made more vulnerable when they work in feminized work sectors that are also informal work, in addition to their illegal migrant status, the unofficial way in which they entered Thailand, and the type of documentation which they brought to Thailand. Their vulnerability heightens when they are pregnant and lack access to maternity and childcare. This thesis concludes that Laotian migrant women in agricultural work and domestic work are the most vulnerable. Hence, Laotian migrant women in the four work sectors experience different degrees of gender empowerment, with the most vulnerable groups as being the least empowered as women. This thesis posits that it is important to further empower Laotian migrant women and reduce their vulnerability through multiple stakeholder collaboration with employers, migrant network leaders, academics, experts, and representatives of civil society and international organizations. This serves as a first step in advancing Laotian migrant women’s cross-border mobility and enables them to be better protected in terms of labour rights and policy as migrant women

The politics of mobility, structuration, and infrastructure:a case study of Myanmar migrant workersunder the migrant worker management regime in Thailand

Title: The politics of mobility, structuration, and infrastructure:a case study of Myanmar migrant workersunder the migrant worker management regime in Thailand

Author: Mr.Polwish Subsrisunjai

Year: 2019

Keywords: Mobility, Infrastructure, Structuration, Migrant Worker, Migrant Worker Management Regime

Theme: Migration

Advisor(s): Jakkrit Sangkhamanee

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The migrant worker management regime in Thailand has been operated to deal with the flow of migrant workers between Thailand and the neighbouring countries for almost 30 years. Several studies portray the production of the regime through various mechanisms such as non-citizen control system, documents regime, the employment process, policies and regulations, and classification of migrant workers. Under these studies, migrant workers have been presented in two distinct narratives; one is short-term labours, who are controlled and exploited by the regime, another is economic migrants, who migrate from home country to destination country in pursuance of incremental benefits. This thesis seeks to depict an alternative perspective for the study of international labour migration in Thailand by taking a critical look into the mobility of migrant workers.Based on qualitative data collected from Myanmar migrant workers in various locations of Thailand, the thesis employs three concepts; structuration, infrastructure, and politics of mobility, to illustrate how the structuration in the labour market of migrant workers has been shaped through the interactions between mobility practices of migrant workers and multiple infrastructures. The thesis examines the politics of mobility expressed through the interactions between migrant workers and mobility infrastructure. It argues that the migrant worker management regime demonstrates assemblages of various infrastructures. The regime functions as mobility infrastructure, especially in mobilising the flow of migrant workers across geographical space and creating various mobility channels moving migrant workers into different levels of legality. Migrant workers, therefore, frequently move along with the configuration of the regime to adjust their legal status. The thesis also argues that the regime tends to create indirect courses and limits the mobility of migrant workers. As a result, migrant workers often rely on other resources and actors to enhance their mobility. In addition, migrant workers also employ mobility to negotiate with the labour market, especially in terms of income, working conditions, and involuntary job mobility. However, the limitations of mobility eventually lead to reduction of the negotiation power of migrant workers with the labour market.The research highlights the structuration in the labour market through consideration of capability in mobility as a resource which is not only unequally accessed but also contested by varied agencies. It finally leads to the production and reproduction of unequal power relations among actors in the labour market

Protection against sexual violence in the workplace: NGO programs for access to justice for female migrant workers in Thailand

Title: Protection against sexual violence in the workplace: NGO programs for access to justice for female migrant workers in Thailand

Author: Miss Shah Bano

Year: 2019

Keywords: Sexual Violence Survivors, NGOs, Female Migrant Workers, Criminal Justice System

Theme: Gender

Advisor(s): Soravis Jayanama

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Sexual violence in the workplace amongst female migrant worker is an under-discussed issue, due to lack of reporting, that needs to be explored in more detail. This paper examined the role of NGOs in providing protection to FMW who are survivors of sexual violence, in Thailand, who want to seek justice. This study used qualitative approach by interviewing 3 people from local NGOs and 3 people from international NGOs working in Thailand that provide services to FMW who have faced sexual violence, to deal with the culturally biased and highly patriarchal criminal justice system. The study shows that regardless of not having a specific project that focuses on providing protection to FMW who are survivors of sexual violence in the workplace with their access to justice, NGOs provide effective legal services to those FMW who visit the NGOs for help and support

Towards sustainable livelihoods in the industrailizing economy : a case study of the agricultural communities in the eastern economic corridor, Thailand

Title: Towards sustainable livelihoods in the industrailizing economy : a case study of the agricultural communities in the eastern economic corridor, Thailand

Author: Miss Sirapat Puttachoo

Year: 2019

Keywords: Sustainable Livelihoods, Economic Integration, Community Adaptive Capacity, Inclusive Development

Theme: Post Development

Advisor(s): Jakkrit Sangkhamanee

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Whilst, the associated development policies and government services for agricultural development under Thailand 4.0 in the Eastern Economic Corridor has potential implication to provide the opportunity for the agricultural community to greater their income and enhance well-being. However, there are few studies assessing the community capacity toward those opportunities. The capacity is the key feature for community development. It can also become the justification for accessibility into the new dynamic of the structural development. Insufficient or mismatched capacity with the current innovation activity and economic system could become a barrier for the community to access the range of project’s benefits. Two community enterprises in Map Ta Phut, “Biodiversity-based community enterprise, Krok Yai Cha” and “Khod Hin Organic Farm Community Enterprise” are potential sources to apprehend the role of agent-oriented development. Most of the community members remain working in the agricultural sectors, significantly tropical fruit farm. The community enterprise has been established to respond to both opportunity and the challenge of socio-economic transformation in dual-economic development. By using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework allows the study to understand the complexity of factors that influence the local livelihoods. Particularly, the framework provides the understanding of interaction among the five components of the vulnerability context, assets pentagon, livelihoods strategy, and institution and process which influence decision and choice of people to generate livelihood outcome. Livelihoods assets and livelihoods strategy which the community has generated the solution and organized the activities and projects for livelihoods development for example community tourisms, bio-fertilizer production and groundwater banks. The innovation for inclusive development by diversity of partnership and the role of participatory development has a significant implication for sustainable livelihoods and capacity development of this case study