ASIAN REVIEW

Introduction

Jirayudh SINTHUPHAN — 2024-07-20

In recent decades, it has been widely accepted that the creative industry in an important sector to global development. This is not just for its direct economic benefits but also for its broader impact on culture, society, and innovation. The creative industry enriches lives, fosters cultural understanding, and drives progress in various domains, making it a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development. The compelling collection of articles in this issue of The Asian Review offers readers a rich tapestry of insights, analysis, and reflections to the creative industry. Each essay within this anthology delves into unique aspects of culture, architecture, tourism, politics, and security, providing a comprehensive exploration of significant themes that shape our world.

Thailand Magic Amulets and Their Multimillion Baht Demand

Ainsley JONG — 2024-07-20

This paper seeks to explore and understand the making of Thai magic amulets and whether they are worth the value that makes their believers sometimes pay millions of baht for them, especially when there are many counterfeits. Looking at some of the most sought-after amulets, we learn why these magic amulets have an especially strong following among the Thai and even from visitors overseas. For the collectors of these amulets, there is this innate belief that they are made by powerful monks, who bless them and give the amulets magical powers, which are then transferred to the owner, thus giving them supernatural power, good fortune and protecting them from harm. This is what makes the amulets so desirable, but it is this same desire that make them so highly sought after and results in a huge commercial market where there is a great demand for the genuine amulets, which, in turn, creates opportunities for counterfeiters, who capitalise on this same demand. It is often difficult to identify the genuine from the counterfeit and this paper also seeks to evaluate why this is something that must be addressed, as magic amulets are possibly something innately Thai and have cultural value.

Finally the paper will evaluate whether the genuine amulets could be protected and authenticated, and by this process, with the legitimisation of the genuine amulet industry, it may be an area that may serve to contribute positively to the Thai economy, which is currently facinga difficult reset in these challenging post Covid-19 times.

Exploring the Vernacular Architecture in the Eastern Commercial and Tourism Districts of Mueang Chiang Mai

Aumpika AMLOY — 2024-07-20

This research article aims to analyze the vernacular architecture in the commercial and tourist districts of eastern Chiang Mai, covering the Chang Moi, Wat Ket, and San Pa Khoi districts. The methods of study are field surveys, historical documentation, and architectural analysis focusing on exploring the architectural elements, materials, and design principles that shape the urban environment in Mueang Chiang Mai. The study results identified six vernacular architecture styles in the study areas: wooden houses, wooden shophouses, wooden-concrete houses, wooden-concrete shophouses, concrete houses, and concrete shophouses. First, the vernacular architecture was built mainly from wood, representing the use of natural resources in the settlement area and local wisdom in construction. Second, the vernacular architecture was built with concrete and wood, combining local wisdom in traditional construction with modern construction techniques. Finally, vernacular architecture was built mainly with concrete, which uses both natural and engineering materials, reflecting the adaptation of vernacular architecture to support the popular functional changes over time, resulting in various improvement and developments. Conditions make vernacular architectural styles change from the original but still show the continuity of local wisdom in building, and timeless aesthetics. The prevalence and popularity of vernacular architecture styles found in the study area were 51 wooden houses in the Chang Moi district, 23 wooden-concrete houses in the Wat Ket district, and 8 concrete shophouses in the San Pa Khoi district.

Enhancing Urban Tourism in Bangkok: Challenges and Opportunities

Pechladda PECHPAKDEE — 2024-07-20

This research aims to investigate the interplay between urban development and urban tourism in Bangkok by identifying challenges, potentials, and opportunities for enhancing the city's appeal. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates foreign tourist questionnaires, stakeholder interviews, and online open data analysis from prominent travel platforms. The findings reveal that, despite numerous clusters of tourist attractions and facilities, mobility infrastructure emerges as the most significant challenge for urban tourism and development in Bangkok. The study recommends concentrating on the development of primary attractions, secondary support facilities, and additional elements for convenient mobility to address these challenges. By acknowledging the strengths of Bangkok's diverse tourist attraction clusters and their proximity to primary and secondary elements, the research underscores the need for improved mobility facilities for tourists. This study contributes valuable insights into the challenges cities face in promoting urban tourism and emphasizes the critical role of mobility infrastructure for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The Stories of Construction and Contention: The 14th of October 1973 Memorial and the 2020 Student Movement in Thailand

Gil TURINGAN — 2024-07-20

This study argues that the construction of the 14^th of October 1973 Memorial (Anuson Sathan Sip Si Tula) embodies the complicated Thai democracy and the democratic quest and struggles of the Thai people. By looking at the historical accounts and narratives of its construction and analyzing the symbols and meanings of the structure, this article reveals that from being a space for remembrance and a venue of commemoration of the October 1973 student revolution, this memorial transformed into a platform for democracy over time up to the emergence of the 2020 student movement. The protest activities, particularly the performative actions conducted by the student protesters in this structure in 2020, contributed to the contention and layering of the meanings of the memorial. This paper also asserts the significance of the 14^th of October 1973 Memorial and its role in Thai democracy discourse and the legacies of student activism in Thailand.

Taliban 2.0 and Geopolitical Security Concerns in South Asia’s Neighbourhood

Masom Jan MASOMY — 2024-07-20

Abstract

The emergence of Taliban 2.0 has raised significant geopolitical security concerns in the South Asia region, particularly in the neighbouring countries of India and Pakistan. The effectiveness of the peace deal between the United States and the Taliban appears to be limited, as it has not produced the intended outcomes as initially stated. The objective was to establish a period of uninterrupted peace across Afghanistan. The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan was facilitated by a military coup, which subsequently led to the withdrawal of United States and NATO forces from the region. The government led by Ashraf Ghani, with support from the United States, experienced a downfall, resulting in significant consequences for Afghanistan. This included an economic crisis, a rise in the number of people seeking refuge outside the country, and limitations on Afghanistan’s capacity to maintain political relationships globally. The geopolitical landscape of South Asia’s neighbouring countries has been dynamic, with ongoing changes. The emergence of Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan has had significant implications for regional security, particularly affecting major players such as India and Pakistan. This article contributes to the existing scholarship by focusing on the production of new literature and highlighting recent developments in the field of security trends. The Taliban’s takeover has raised concerns about the potential for an armed insurgency in the Indian subcontinent. Both India and Pakistan are equally worried about the possibility of terrorist groups infiltrating their territories due to this development. The study aims to critically analyse the security concerns of India and Pakistan in relation to the Taliban’s governance in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is widely regarded as a fertile environment for militants harbouring intense anti-India and anti-Pakistan sentiments. Past studies on Afghanistan have raised valid concerns about the potential for these militants to increase in strength and enhance their preparedness to carry out attacks. The two historic rival nuclear powers have divergent viewpoints on Afghanistan, but they both express apprehension about the increasing influence of the other in the region. The discussion has effectively addressed the crucial relations between India and Pakistan with the Taliban, highlighting the valid concerns regarding potential security implications and challenges that may arise in the South Asian neighbourhood due to the situation in Afghanistan.

Key Words: War, Peace building, Afghanistan, Security, Taliban 2.0, India, Pakistan