Burapha Journal of Political Economy

“Apprentices as Labour”: Politics in the Apprenticeships Process and Apprentice Requirements for Fairness Creation

Suttichai Rakjan — 2024-06-30

This article aims to analyze power relations in the apprenticeship process through critique of the apprenticeship process and demand to raise the quality of apprenticeships. The study utilized data collection methods involving research and the gathering of document data: parliamentary meeting records, laws, responses to consultation letters by government agencies, research reports, information from civil society, political party statements from online sources, news articles, and synthesized experiences.

Education and work are continuous, with apprenticeships integrating students into the workforce. Criticism of power relations within the apprenticeship process and calls for enhancing apprenticeship quality revealed:

1) Power interactions in apprenticeship process between establishments, educational institutions, and interns are unequal. Establishments wield influence over the success or failure of the apprenticeship system.

2) Advocating for demands to raise the standards of important apprenticeships involves ensuring apprenticeship status according to the law to protect intern students.

3) Encouragement for apprenticeship proposals comes from civil society and political parties as an agenda for the government's consideration. The enactment of the Apprenticeship Act was seen as a mutually agreed upon proposal, aiming to provide high-quality and fair apprenticeships in Thailand.

4) The dominant structure, power, and ideological and cultural aspects within the social internships process also pose obstacles to raising fairness and enhancing apprenticeship standard.

Plato : A Very Short Introduction

Shotisa Cousnit — 2024-06-30

Social Innovation for Cultivating Strong Community Rooted in Thai Identity Democracy: A Case Study of Chonburi Province as a Pioneer in Eastern Region

Olarn Thinbangtieo — 2024-06-30

This study has three primary objectives: firstly, to examine the problematic conditions within Chonburi Province, designated as a pilot area for developing social innovations aimed at fostering a strong community; secondly, to evaluate the social costs associated with public partner networks engaged in creating social innovations to build resilient communities; and thirdly, to explore guidelines for developing social innovations that promote robust community development within Chonburi Province. The study employed qualitative research methods and participatory action research, including field visits, observations, interviews, and group discussions. Data was analyzed and analyzed qualitatively. The findings highlight several significant points: the emergence of a capitalist political economy in Chonburi Province has led to multifaceted issues affecting the general population, including imbalanced development among the state, capital, and local communities, resulting in economic and political inequalities that leave grassroots individuals without negotiating power with the state, capital, and centralized bureaucratic mechanisms. Additionally, public partner networks exhibit strong social capital, fostering diverse networks characterized by mutual support, trust, and a hopeful vision for grassroots democracy, which serve as a pivotal force in driving social empowerment. Moreover, as developmental collaborator, public partner networks emphasize integrated area development in collaboration with partner agencies in Chonburi Province. This collaboration is facilitated through the Provincial Citizens Council, acting as the 'public space' or 'Provincial Citizens Council’ for integrated community development partners to advance the province's development.

Multiple Trajectories of the EEC Backyard Development: Local Power Restructuring and Agricultural Society Uncertainty

Kampanart Benjanavee — 2024-06-30

This research article examines the local economic-political conditions that have caused uncertainty of farmers in the EEC backyard over the past three decades. The focus of this study is to consider the restructuring of local power in the development context, especially the changing relationship between authority networks and local land resources management under industrial development projects and the land capitalization process. This article uses a qualitative research approach in a political economy framework to examine the causes and consequences of local power restructuring linked to land resource management. This research reflects that the restructuring of local power is related to changes in land management practices after the Eastern Industrial Zone Development Project. On the one hand, a local elite network offers a monoculture land development path tied to the development of industrial zones, and becomes part of the conditions of uncertainty for farmers. On the other hand, another elite network, led by farmers and entrepreneurs, aims to present a land development method aligned with the livelihoods of local farmers and small entrepreneurs.

Partnership for Driving SDGs: Theoretical Consideration

Somsak Samukkethum — 2024-06-30

‘Partnership’ is an important concept because many problems at present are very complex and have extensive impacts. Driving SDGs is a case of using partnership as a key mechanism. This article presents that for implementing this mechanism, it is necessary to create mutual trust between partners through reforming the state to be based on good governance, supporting the business sector to commit social responsibility, and creating strong civil society with active citizenship. These changes can occur under conditions of the democratic rule with check and balance systems. Additionally, it is necessary for disseminating idea of recognizing severe crisis situation as a result of unbalance development and necessity for every partner to collaborate each other for driving to SDGs goals seriously.

Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Household Debt: A Case Study of Farmers in Nakhon Phanom Province

Piyarat Phongin — 2024-06-30

The objectives of this study were: 1) to study the factors causing household debt of farmers in Nakhon Phanom province, and 2) to prepare policy recommendations as a guideline to alleviate household debt burdens among farmers in Nakhon Phanom province. The study utilized a mixed method research, with quantitative research involving a convenience sample of 385 persons. Statistical analyses included frequency, mean, percentage, and standard deviation. Qualitative research sections included in-depth interviews with key informants consisting of eight farmers and government officials. The quantitative study found that the majority of the subjects were female, aged between 36 - 60 years old. Most of them have 3 - 4 household members, with the largest group of farmers having a career period of 21 to 30 years and an average monthly income of 5,000 to 10,000 baht. Regarding debt burden, 89.6% of farmers' current liabilities were from debts borrowed from specialized financial institutions such as Government Savings Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. The factors contributing to household debt include economic factors at a high level of consensus, and there are 4 aspects with low levels of consensus: social factors, behavioral factors, geographical and environmental factors, and personal and family factors, respectively. Qualitative research findings indicate that significant factors leading to household debt include economic factors, such as borrowing money for agricultural production needs. Social factors involve decisions to purchase products based on trends to gain social acceptance. Personal and family factors include the responsibility for and care of numerous household members, such as tuition and educational expenses. Approaches to solving household debt issues include policies to enhance occupational knowledge and skills, financial management policies, welfare policies, government aid measures, and sufficiency economy policies.