Asian Administration and Management Review

TOWARDS AGE-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS: ASSESSING ELDERLY TOURIST NEEDS AND MANAGEMENT APPROACHES IN LOWER NORTHERN THAILAND

Kanchanaphong KAMONTHON — 2026-03-17

This study investigates effective tourism management strategies for elderly travelers in Thailand's Lower Northern Region, addressing the global demographic shift towards an aging society. It pursued a dual objective: first, to analyze the specific needs and preferences of elderly tourists regarding local attractions and services, and second, to assess the readiness of existing tourism destinations to accommodate these requirements. A descriptive approach was employed, collecting data from 400 Thai tourists aged 60 and above who had visited the region, using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Additionally, a Universal Design-based evaluation was conducted across 60 sites in five provinces: Phitsanulok, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Uttaradit, and Phetchabun. Findings reveal that elderly tourists prioritize accessible infrastructure, including barrier-free facilities, well-trained service staff, and clear information. Cultural and spiritual attractions emerged as the most preferred destinations. While Phetchabun exhibited the highest age-friendliness, notable gaps persist between elderly visitors' expectations and the current infrastructure across the region. This research underscores the urgent need for inclusive design, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative service development to create sustainable and age-friendly tourism ecosystems in Thailand, positioning the Lower Northern Region as a model for an aging society.

DEVELOPING CROSS-CULTURAL LEADERSHIP: A MIXED METHODS STUDY OF THAI BORDER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

Rakpa SINGKHAM — 2026-04-06

This study investigates cross-cultural leadership practices and professional development pathways of school administrators operating within Thailand’s complex, multicultural border region. Employing a robust mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, the research comprehensively evaluates critical leadership dynamics within the Mae Cha Rao School Group in Tak Province. The quantitative phase surveyed 62 administrators using a validated instrument measuring four core dimensions: transformational leadership, empathy in work practice, communication competence, and trust-building. Descriptive results indicated a high overall capacity for cross-cultural leadership, with empathy and trust-building as the most prominent strengths among school leaders. Conversely, communication competence ranked the lowest, revealing distinct operational challenges in successfully navigating linguistic boundaries and diverse community expectations. To address these specific gaps, the qualitative phase utilized structured interviews with five educational experts to formulate targeted, context-specific developmental strategies. Recommendations strongly emphasize continuous cultural immersion, empathy-based professional training, flexible bilingual communication channels, and the establishment of highly transparent administrative systems. Integrating these empirical findings demonstrates that effective management in diverse environments requires balancing emotional intelligence with systemic cultural adaptability to promote educational equity across ASEAN school systems.

CHINESE DIRECT INVESTMENT AND MACROECONOMIC DRIVERS OF GROWTH IN LAO PDR

Soukzana Ladtakoun — 2026-04-06

This study empirically investigates the macroeconomic determinants of economic growth in Lao PDR, focusing specifically on the impact of Chinese Direct Investment (CDI) alongside other key economic indicators. Utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model on annual data from 1996 to 2022, the research evaluates both short-run and long-run dynamics. The empirical findings demonstrate that CDI serves as a robust catalyst for economic expansion, consistently contributing to GDP growth through targeted capital inflows, the development of vital infrastructure, and substantial job creation, particularly in the hydropower and agricultural sectors. Furthermore, trade openness, workforce participation, and tourism emerge as significant positive drivers of sustained economic output. Conversely, general Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) exhibits inconsistent and occasionally negative impacts, underscoring critical vulnerabilities in institutional governance and absorptive capacity. While moderate inflation supports economic activity, excessive levels prove highly detrimental. To ensure long-term, sustainable, and highly resilient economic growth, policymakers must strategically diversify international trade partnerships, aggressively upskill the domestic workforce, effectively manage inflationary pressures, and systematically strengthen institutional governance to maximize future benefits from foreign investment.