CRMA Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

A Comparative Analysis of Educational Contexts: The United States Air Force Academy and the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy

Pramote Suksirisak, Nuntikan Klinchet — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Military education in the 21st century is increasingly challenged by rapid advancements in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber operations, and the space domain, all of which have significant implications for the design of curricula aimed at developing modern air force officers. This article presents a comparative analysis of the educational contexts of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy (NKRAFA), focusing on educational philosophy, curriculum structure, leadership development, military and field training, and technology integration. It also proposes recommendations for the development of military education in Thailand. The study employs documentary analysis and a comparative approach. The findings indicate that both institutions share a common goal of producing air force officers with strong leadership, moral integrity, and professional competence. USAFA is distinguished by its systematically integrated curriculum, which effectively combines academic education, military training, physical development, and character formation, along with its global orientation, structured leadership development, and advanced technological applications. In contrast, NKRAFA demonstrates strengths in fostering Thai military identity, maintaining discipline, emphasizing field-based training, and applying technology within the context of the Royal Thai Air Force. However, NKRAFA faces limitations in research investment, advanced technological laboratories, and operational simulation systems compared to USAFA. The analysis highlights that the most critical gap lies in the absence of a systematic leadership development framework and limited research capacity rather than a lack of military identity. Therefore, development efforts should prioritize these areas, without replicating the entire structural model of USAFA, to effectively respond to contemporary security challenges.

The Insurgency in Southern Thailand: Root Causes and Pathways to Sustainable Peace

Madpouzee Rubama, Che Mohd Aziz Yaacob , Abdulrohman Molo , Phaison Da-oh — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The insurgency in southern Thailand is rooted in decades of historical grievances and fuelled by ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic marginalization, and remains one of Southeast Asia’s most protracted and complex conflicts. This article aims to critically examines the underlying causes of the unrest in the predominantly Malay Muslim provinces, tracing the evolution of the insurgency and analyzing its profound human and societal costs. It explores the tactical dynamics between insurgent groups and the Thai government, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes rather than relying on security-centric approaches. The article also outlines comprehensive recommendations for the Thai government, civil society, and the international community, advocating for inclusive peace negotiations, transparency, accountability, and culturally sensitive development. By fostering human rights, economic opportunity, and intercommunal dialogue, the article argues that sustainable peace is achievable through collaborative, multi-stakeholder engagement, and a genuine commitment to justice and reconciliation.

Anti-Doping Law in Sports as a Global Legal Order: An Integrated Analysis of the World Anti-Doping Code and the Anti-Doping in Sports Act B.E. 2555 (2012) as amended B.E. 2564 (2021)

Apipat Pasanaga, Sarawut Chaenta — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The regulation of doping in sport has evolved into a global legal regime characterized by a transnational legal framework that intricately integrates the roles of sporting organizations and states, particularly under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UNESCO’s International Convention against Doping in Sport. This article aims to analyze the international legal framework, examine the legal structure of Thailand under the Anti-Doping Act B.E. 2555 (2012) and its amendment B.E. 2564 (2021), and evaluate the integration between Thai law and the global anti-doping legal order. The study employs a document analysis of relevant legal texts and academic literature using comparative and public law approaches to understand the development, mechanisms, and legal challenges arising from such integration. The findings reveal that the anti-doping legal system constitutes a hybrid regime combining elements of soft law and hard law, wherein the World Anti-Doping Code establishes normative standards while the UNESCO Convention imposes binding obligations on states. Thai law has adapted by adopting an open-ended legislative framework and relying primarily on subordinate legislation as a regulatory mechanism. Nevertheless, the main structural challenge is the tension between state sovereignty and pressures from the global legal order, along with issues of legal certainty, proportionality of measures, and the legitimacy of global governance mechanisms. Accordingly, this study recommends legal reforms to clarify essential principles at the statutory level, strengthen oversight mechanisms in the exercise of administrative powers, and enhance institutional capacity, in order to achieve a sustainable balance between international standards and the rule of law within the domestic legal system.

The Royal Thai Army’s Crisis Communication Strategies: A Case Study of the Utilization of Press Releases Published during Crises

Chartkaew Yuwaprom — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to examine the structure of Royal Thai Army press releases published during crisis situations and the linguistic strategies they employ for image restoration. The research adopts a qualitative research methodology in its analysis of 47 press releases issued by the Public Relations Center, Office of the Secretary, Royal Thai Army, between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2023. The findings reveal seven structural patterns of press releases. The most prevalent pattern, accounting for 44.68 percent, consists of a headline followed by two content sections and a conclusion. This structure is predominantly used to clarify personnel conduct and rectify public misunderstandings. Regarding linguistic strategies for image restoration, five primary strategies were identified: mortification reduction (39 percent), corrective action (36 percent), denial (14 percent), evasion of responsibility (9.33 percent), and apology (1.67 percent). The Royal Thai Army primarily employs positive strategies to foster understanding and demonstrate a willingness to implement improvements reflecting a balanced approach to crisis communication that reconciles organizational image preservation with social accountability.

A Study of Speech Acts in the New Year Royal Addresses of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Nattaphong Keawseesod, Suphakkhathat Suthanaphinyo — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to examine the types of speech acts found in the New Year royal addresses delivered by His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn. The analysis is based on the Speech Act Theory proposed by John R. Searle (1970). The data for this study were collected from royal New Year addresses issued between 2017 and 2026, as published on official government websites, and were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method. The findings reveal that the speech acts can be classified into four types. Expressive speech acts appear consistently every year, reflecting the establishment of emotional connection and the expression of goodwill toward the people. These are followed by representative and directive speech acts, which function to convey information and provide guidance for conduct. Commissive speech acts reflect the King’s commitment to fulfilling royal duties. Notably, declarative speech acts were not found in the data examined. The results suggest that the royal addresses represent a systematic use of language to communicate ideas and values, as well as to foster a relationship between the monarchy and the people.

Guidelines for Developing STEAM Education Activities at the Early Childhood Level: A Private Kindergarten Case Study

Nattawoot Junsopa, Rungrujtanan Bunyaraksh — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

STEAM education, which integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, is increasingly vital for developing future-ready skills in early childhood. This qualitative case study aimed to: (1) Investigate the challenges in implementing STEAM activities; and (2) Explore development guidelines for STEAM activities at Bunyarak Kindergarten during its first year of implementation. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 key informants, comprising homeroom teachers, activity teachers, and parents, selected through purposive criterion sampling and interviewed until data saturation was reached. Content analysis and thematic analysis were applied. Three implementation challenges were identified: (1) Misalignment between activity processes and allocated time; (2) Insufficient knowledge and understanding among teachers and parents, as this was a first-time initiative; and (3) Communication gaps and shifting stakeholder roles. Three development guidelines emerged: (1) Restructuring activities to be concise and developmentally appropriate; (2) Enhancing teacher capacity by providing adequate preparation time and professional support; and (3) Strengthening proactive school-family communication to build shared understanding of goals and roles. This study contributes new knowledge that first-year STEAM implementation barriers are systemic rather than content-related, residing in the ecosystem surrounding the activities, namely teacher competency, time structures, and parent communication. These three dimensions form a self-reinforcing cycle where teachers who lack understanding cannot communicate effectively with parents, which, in turn, amplifies teachers' workload. Addressing these challenges, therefore, requires simultaneous, coordinated intervention across all three dimensions rather than piecemeal solutions.

Empowerment, Psychological Capital, and Psychological Well – Being of Military Officers at Royal Thai Army Chemical Department

Kornchanok Tharawatchanon, Theerapat Wongkumsin, Tippavan Surinya — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

The objectives of this research were to: 1) study the levels of empowerment, psychological capital, and psychological well-being of military officers; 2) compare the psychological well-being of military officers, classified by personal factors; 3) examine the relationship between empowerment and psychological well-being; and 4) examine the relationship between psychological capital and psychological well-being. The sample consisted of 169 military officers randomly selected using the proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with an IOC value ranging from .67 to 1.00 and an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .956, and the data were analyzed using a statistical package program. The statistics used were percentages, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test (one-way ANOVA). Post-hoc comparisons were conducted using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) method and Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The research findings were as follows: 1) empowerment, psychological capital, and psychological well-being of military officers were at a high level; 2) military officers who had different personal factors including gender, age, educational level, marital status, years of service, rank, income, and department showed no significant difference in psychological well-being; 3) empowerment was positively related to psychological well-being of military officers at a statistically significant level of .01; and 4) psychological capital was positively related to psychological well-being of military officers at a statistically significant level of .01.

The Development and Psychometric Validation of a Peer-Assessment Instrument for the 15 Military Leadership Attributes During Field Training of Cadets at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy

Sornnarin Kanjananopinit — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This research aimed to develop and validate a behavioral peer-assessment instrument for the 15 military leadership attributes of cadets during field training at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA). A Research and Development (R&D) methodology was employed across four phases. Phase 1 involved item generation through focus group discussions with 40 cadets. Phase 2 examined content validity using the Item-Objective Congruence Index (IOC) with five subject-matter experts. Internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha) was assessed with 35 cadets. Phase 3 applied the Delphi technique for selecting contextually appropriate dimensions, which were subsequently piloted with 60 cadets per year group across four year groups. Phase 4 evaluated instrument quality through structured user feedback from 325 cadets. The results demonstrated that all 15 items achieved acceptable content validity and high internal consistency (α = 0.91). Expert consensus identified six dimensions as most appropriate for field training assessment: Dependability, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Loyalty, Tact, and Unselfishness. The six-item instrument yielded acceptable-to-excellent reliability across all year groups (α = 0.72–0.92) and strong inter-rater agreement (ICC = 0.77–0.99). Overall instrument quality as evaluated by end-users was rated at the highest level (M = 4.33, SD = 0.24) on a five-point Likert scale, confirming the instrument's suitability for assessing military leadership attributes in field training contexts and its potential for broader application across military educational institutions under the Ministry of Defence.

Proactive Public Relations Strategies via Social Media for Armed Forces Development Command Radio Broadcasting Stations

Sethisak Phothong, Nittaya Sinthao — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This study, titled Proactive Public Relations Strategies through Social Media for the Radio Station of the Armed Forces Development Command, aimed to (1) examine the challenges of public relations through social media and (2) to formulate strategies for enhancing proactive public relations through social media for the radio station of the Armed Forces Development Command. A qualitative research design was employed, using in-depth interviews with 25 key informants. The data were analyzed through content analysis and thematic analysis. The findings revealed several major challenges, including policy ambiguity from higher authorities, a complex chain of command that hindered timely responses to the digital media environment, a digital skills gap among personnel over 50 years of age, inadequate basic equipment, and limited community engagement over the past 7–10 years. Although leaders expressed a vision for transitioning to online media, they lacked the practical skills necessary to drive this transformation effectively. Based on these findings, four urgent strategies are proposed. First, platforms and content should be redesigned according to a mobile-first approach, shifting from audio-based communication to multimedia content, particularly 1–3 minute short-form videos on TikTok and Facebook Reels, with social media content accounting for at least 50% of total output. Second, in-house influencers should be developed by positioning radio hosts as trusted intermediaries between the military and the public through approachable personalities and the use of local or ethnic languages. Third, two-way communication and rapid response mechanisms should be strengthened through a small Digital Command Center for social listening and real-time engagement, especially during crises. Fourth, a coaching-based development strategy should be adopted, enabling younger personnel to transfer digital skills to senior staff through one-on-one mentoring.

Developing Digital Classrooms to Promote Employability Skills of Underprivileged Students in Kuet Chang, Chiang Mai

Khontaros Chaiyasut, Pimchanok Suwannasri, Praisu Suwannasri — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to extract knowledge in local communities and to develop a digital classroom website to broaden horizons and create learning pathways to careers. The sample group consisted of occupational experts, students, and teachers from the Kued Chang community, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province. The research tools included a knowledge recording form and a media and website quality evaluation form. Preliminary data analysis used descriptive statistics, while content analysis employed qualitative synthesis to extract knowledge. The research results showed that vocational learning media, extracted from community knowledge, comprised 12 occupational areas, including: 1) Tourism and homestays; 2) White water rafting; 3) Foot massage; 4) Bamboo neck pillows; 5) Elephant husbandry and forest hiking; 6) Bope Kho cloth weaving; 7) Bamboo rattan weaving; 8) Lanna snacks and food; 9) Drinks making; 10) Souvenirs; 11) Facial and Office Syndrome massage; and 12) Online sales. The extracted knowledge from the career aptitude tests was used to develop a Digital Career Learning website, a digital classroom to broaden horizons and create learning pathways to careers and promote employability skills. The results of the pilot testing and quality assessment showed that the usability, feasibility, accuracy, and appropriateness were at the highest level. The vocational learning information was useful, enabling self-learning. It stimulated the importance of learning and preserving vocational wisdom, was practically applicable, and aligned with the real-world context of the users, positively impacting learning. It can be used as an effective tool for studying, learning, and preserving vocational knowledge.

American English Vocabulary Learning Achievement of Army Cadets through Game-Based Learning: Differentiated Guidelines by Proficiency Level

Chayanan Jitjumnong, Nuttaporn Kaitbanditkul — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This mixed-methods sequential explanatory research aims to: 1) Compare the American English vocabulary learning achievement of army cadets before and after Game-Based learning both overall and across language proficiency levels (high, intermediate, and low); and 2) Propose guidelines for arranging Game-Based learning in American English vocabulary acquisition for army cadets with different proficiency levels. Quantitative data were first collected to determine the learning outcomes, followed by qualitative interviews to explain the findings in depth. The quantitative target group consisted of 228 third-year Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy cadets in the 2026 academic year, while qualitative key informants for in-depth interviews were 30 cadet representatives selected through purposive sampling based on proficiency levels (high, intermediate, and low), with 10 cadets per group. The research instruments included lesson plans, an American English vocabulary achievement test, and an interview form. Quantitative data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Paired-Sample t-test, whereas qualitative data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. The findings indicated that: 1) Overall American English vocabulary learning achievement after Game-Based learning was statistically significantly higher than before learning at the .01 level. When analyzed by proficiency level, cadets in the high and intermediate proficiency groups achieved statistically significantly higher post-test scores than pre-test scores at the .01 level, whereas cadets in the low proficiency group showed no significant difference between pretest and posttest scores; and 2) Guidelines for Game-Based Learning (GBL) indicate that GBL can be effectively applied to enhance learning achievement for high- and intermediate-proficiency learners. However, standalone GBL alone is insufficient for low-proficiency learners.