Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Studies

User-Centered Design (UCD) and graphic novel approach to fostering LGBTQ+ understanding in Thailand

Nuttcha Sumthong — 2026-09-10

This research investigates discrimination arising from limited knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ+ people within families, schools, and workplaces in Thailand. The aim of this study is to design, develop, and evaluate an illustrated e-book that effectively addresses gender equality concerns among young adults aged 18–24 in Thai society. The researchers applied a User-Centered Design (UCD) framework, taking user needs and goals into consideration throughout the development process. This research adopts graphic novels as instructional tools to design educational materials that promote positive attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people. A three-phase mixed-methods approach, aligned with UCD principles, was used. The study recruited 10 members of the target audience and nine LGBTQ+ people to identify user interests and preferences, developed an illustrated e-book based on their insights, and then quantitatively evaluated it through a survey of 100 young adults. Participants rated the e-book positively, reporting mean scores of 4.61/5 for design, 4.52/5 for layout and typography, and 4.53/5 for content. Furthermore, 97% of participants reported a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and indicated that they would recommend the e-book to others. This research contributes to existing scholarship by developing an illustrated e-book for LGBTQ+ education in Thailand that targets young adults through UCD. The design process, which involved members of the LGBTQ+ community, demonstrates how user engagement can help address sensitive social issues.

Exploring musical hybridity in fusions of lukthung and Thai pop

Kin Ho Wong — 2026-09-15

While both belong to popular music in Thailand, lukthung and Thai pop represent distinct types of songs in the eyes of contemporary Thai music audiences. This article explores the potential to enhance the impact of Thai popular music in the increasingly competitive global music market by fusing lukthung with Thai pop to reach a broader audience. Based on a case study of the JOOX 100×100 project, this study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines comparative analysis of selected lukthung fusion songs with a semi-structured questionnaire that examines participants’ preconceptions of lukthung and their responses to the selected songs. By evaluating the relationship between the reception and features of hybrids of lukthung and Thai pop, it proposes three hybridisation strategies that can be observed in lukthung fusions, namely Compensatory Blending, Sonic Masking, and Stylistic Transgression, arguing that the perception of the hybrid depends on the appeal of the interobjectivity within the hybrid and the genres involved. Ultimately, this article suggests how musical hybridity may effectively refashion lukthung, attracting more diverse attention to the genre and generating new interest in Thai popular music. In addition to providing directions for creating successful lukthung fusions, the findings are expected to enrich discussions on musical hybridity, which more often concern hybrids between musical styles from different countries or within Western genres.

Heritage-led gentrification in Southeast Asian historic cities: A comparative analysis of Chiang Mai Old City and Hue Citadel

Karuna Raksawin — 2026-09-21

This article examines heritage-led gentrification in Southeast Asia through a comparative analysis of two historic cities: Chiang Mai Old City in Thailand and Hue Citadel in Vietnam. While both cities are UNESCO-recognized heritage environments and major tourism destinations, they are shaped by contrasting governance regimes and development logics. The study examines how different political and institutional contexts influence the processes, indicators, and outcomes of heritage-led gentrification. Methodologically, the research adopts a comparative case study approach, drawing on secondary data from planning documents, spatial studies, policy reports, and scholarly literature. A consistent set of indicators—land-use transformation, property market change, demographic displacement, tourism intensity, and heritage meaning—is applied to both cases. The findings reveal two distinct trajectories. In Chiang Mai, gentrification unfolds incrementally through market-driven tourism economies, resulting in commercial conversion, rising property values, and gradual cultural displacement within a living-heritage environment. In Hue, transformation is driven primarily by state-led conservation policies, with large-scale relocation programs clearing residential areas to create a monumental imperial landscape. Despite these different mechanisms, each case demonstrates a shared paradox: the preservation of built heritage often coincides with the erosion of everyday cultural practices and social networks. Based on this comparison, the article proposes a preliminary theoretical framework distinguishing between market-mediated living-heritage gentrification and state-led monumental-heritage gentrification. This typology contributes to emerging debates on Global South urbanism by highlighting how governance regimes shape heritage transformation beyond classical Euro-American gentrification models.

Tourist perceptions and service design for sustainable community forests

Sakol Teeravarunyou — 2026-09-28

This study investigates tourist perceptions and service design at Suan Pa Ket Nom Klao, a peri-urban community forest in Samut Prakan, Thailand. The research aims to enhance visitor experiences while promoting sustainable tourism, inclusive access to green spaces, and responsible consumption. Guided by User Experience (UX) theory, the Tourist Experience Model, and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, the study adopts a multidimensional approach to ecotourism development. Three key objectives were pursued: (1) to evaluate visitors’ perception and activity categorization, (2) to examine relationships among tourist experience dimensions, and (3) to compare three thematic models—ecology, culture and art, and wellness—based on visitor preferences. Following the implementation of low-impact tourism interventions, including forest walkways, stingless bee displays, and eco-friendly souvenir services, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 128 visitors. Findings reveal that visitors reported higher satisfaction with wellness and cultural activities than with ecological ones. Learning opportunities and perceived service quality were strongly linked to overall satisfaction. Although ecological activities were appreciated, they require improved interactive engagement and more diverse souvenir offerings. The resulting integrated framework offers a practical guide for aligning service design with ecological stewardship, cultural enrichment, and economic sustainability.

Strategic factors for digital citizenship development among students in Catholic schools in Nakhon Sawan Diocese, Thailand

Vichian Puncreobutr — 2026-09-28

This mixed-method research aims to study the digital citizenship development activities and the strategic factors for digital citizenship development among students in Catholic schools in the Nakhon Sawan Diocese, Thailand. The qualitative part of the research involved document analysis and in-depth interviews with experts. The quantitative part was conducted with a sample of 1,477 teachers and students from Catholic schools in the Nakhon Sawan Diocese. The statistics applied consist of descriptive statistics (mean, S.D.) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The research findings are as follows: 1) The digital citizenship development activities organized by Catholic schools in the Nakhon Sawan Diocese are integrated into the curriculum. These curriculum enhancement activities cover 8 aspects of digital citizenship: digital citizen identity, screen time management, cyberbullying management, cybersecurity management, privacy management, critical thinking, digital footprint, and digital empathy; 2) The factor analysis, conducted using Principal Component Analysis and orthogonal rotation via the varimax method, identified 4 factors: Cybersecurity in the Digital World Development Strategy, Rational Decision-Making in the Digital World Strategy, Empathy in the Digital World Development Strategy, and Screen Time Management in the Digital World Development Strategy. Together, these four factors constitute 62.449 percent of the variance; 3) The digital citizenship development strategy for students in Catholic schools in the Nakhon Sawan Diocese aligns with the guidelines of the Congregation for Catholic Education and the teachings of Pope Francis on the use of digital technologies in our daily lives. It also aligns with the vision of educational administration outlined by the Catholic Education Council of Thailand. Therefore, this strategy can be applied across all Catholic schools.