Journal of Asia Social Science Studies

From State Security to Human Security: Prioritizing Values in Thai-Cambodian Border Policy

Thawat Wannalert — 2026-02-16

This article critically examines the value hierarchy underlying Thailand–Cambodia border policies, questioning the long-standing dominance of a state-centric security framework and advocating a shift toward a human security approach. Drawing on a review of existing literature and conceptual analysis in security studies, border studies, and human rights, the article explores how state-centered border policies affect people living in border areas. The analysis demonstrates that framing the border primarily as a space of state security has prioritized militarization, mobility control, and state-to-state relations as the core policy mechanisms, while marginalizing border communities and cross-border social relations. Such policies have led to border closures, the use of force, and the strict enforcement of security laws, resulting in significant impacts on local economies, everyday livelihoods, and the sense of security among border populations. Vulnerable groups, including migrant workers and ethnic communities, are particularly affected by these measures.The article further argues that these outcomes are rooted in structural constraints within the Thai state, notably a security culture that monopolizes the definition of security within military institutions and a centralized bureaucratic system that lacks flexibility in responding to the complex realities of border regions. These structural conditions limit the effective integration of human security principles into border governance. The article concludes that reordering policy priorities from state security to human security does not undermine state sovereignty; rather, it enhances sustainable security by centering human dignity, community participation, and human rights in policy-making processes. Thailand–Cambodia border areas should therefore be understood not merely as zones of territorial defense or political contestation, but as lived spaces of cooperation, human security, and long-term peace.

Cultural Tourism and Its Impacts on Local Communities in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Case Study of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia

Manob Siwakonkarn — 2026-02-16

This article aims to examine the impacts of cultural tourism on local communities in Southeast Asia through a comparative analysis of three countries: Thailand, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the Kingdom of Cambodia. Guided by frameworks on socio-cultural sustainability and community participation in tourism development, the study draws upon academic literature, international reports, and selected case studies to elucidate the differing dynamics of tourism impacts across these national contexts. Findings indicate that cultural tourism can yield significant positive effects, including economic opportunities through income generation and employment, social benefits such as the revitalization of local identity, and cultural gains through the preservation of heritage facilitated by community engagement. Nonetheless, the study also identifies key challenges: the commodification of culture, shifts in traditional values and lifestyles, environmental degradation, and inequitable distribution of tourism-related benefits, particularly in settings lacking comprehensive state policy or where external investors dominate local tourism development.This article argues that the sustainable development of cultural tourism in the region requires policy designs that genuinely prioritize community agency, enhance local capacities in self-management, promote tools for qualitative impact assessment, and encourage intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge. In doing so, tourism can become not merely an economic instrument, but a mechanism for cultural resilience and community empowerment.

The Role of Family in Asian Societies: Transformations in the Age of Globalization – A Comparative Study of India, Indonesia, and Malaysia

Tanakon Kaewsri — 2026-02-16

This article investigates the changing roles and structures of families in Asian societies in the context of globalization, focusing on comparative case studies from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Drawing on sociological theories of family and globalization, the study analyzes secondary academic literature and country-specific examples to understand the dynamics of family transformation across diverse cultural settings. Findings indicate that while families in all three countries are traditionally grounded in extended kinship systems, respect for elders, and well-defined gender and generational roles, the forces of globalization have brought significant structural changes. These include a shift toward nuclear families, labor migration, increased female workforce participation, and a decline in the authority of older generations. Consequently, new forms of negotiation have emerged within households, particularly in caregiving for children and the elderly, and in managing intergenerational relationships.

The article argues that public policy in Asian societies should acknowledge the pluralism of family forms and support the family as a dynamic cultural institution. Flexible and inclusive policy frameworks should respond to variations in ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status. Key recommendations include supporting women’s roles both at home and in the workplace, promoting intergenerational communication, and enhancing welfare infrastructure. Recognizing the adaptive capacities of families in navigating change is crucial to fostering sustainable social development in rapidly evolving Asian contexts.

Climate Change and Indigenous Livelihoods in Asia: Case Studies from India and the Himalayan Region

Parichat Klinsukon — 2026-02-16

This article examines the impacts of climate change on the livelihoods and cultural resilience of indigenous peoples in Asia, focusing on case studies from indigenous communities in India and the Himalayan region, including Nepal, Bhutan, and Ladakh. Employing a structural vulnerability and adaptation framework that integrates social, cultural, political, and environmental dimensions, the study analyzes field research and policy reports to understand climate change effects at regional and local levels. Findings reveal that shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns have induced ecological uncertainties in mountainous ecosystems, which are vital to indigenous subsistence farming, semi-nomadic pastoralism, and traditional water management systems. These environmental changes adversely affect food security and everyday livelihoods. Moreover, climate change undermines the spiritual and cultural relations of communities, such as seasonal rituals linked to glaciers and natural phenomena, causing disruptions in meaning and social cohesion. Despite their vulnerabilities, indigenous communities possess adaptive capacities through traditional ecological knowledge and community cooperation. However, these capacities are constrained by political power structures and state policies that often exclude indigenous voices from meaningful participation.The article concludes that fostering sustainable and equitable climate adaptation requires policy designs that recognize and empower indigenous rights to resource management and self-determined adaptation pathways. Enhancing partnerships among governments, communities, and organizations is essential to preserving cultural diversity and securing the livelihoods of indigenous peoples in this region.