Thai Social Science Journal

Thailand’s Low-Growth Economy: An Analysis of Structural Factors and Challenges in the ASEAN Context

Warachai Dumrongkul — 2026-08-23

This article examines the issue of low economic growth in Thailand over the past decade, focusing on the structural factors that constrain the country’s long-term growth potential. The study aims to analyze the key determinants of Thailand’s economic slowdown and to compare the country’s economic performance with other Southeast Asian economies. The findings indicate that Thailand is experiencing a period of low economic growth driven by several structural constraints. Major factors include the slowdown in export performance, which has historically been a key engine of the Thai economy, increasing economic competition from neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, and persistently high levels of household debt that constrain domestic consumption. In addition, Thailand’s economic structure continues to rely heavily on medium-value manufacturing activities and has yet to fully transition toward an innovation-driven and technology-based economy. These structural limitations suggest that Thailand faces the risk of remaining trapped in the middle-income trap if structural reforms are not effectively implemented. The study also finds that the low-growth environment has broader implications for Thailand’s economic system, including a slowdown in private investment, declining national competitiveness, and potential risks to long-term economic growth. Without appropriate policy responses, these challenges may weaken Thailand’s ability to compete within the regional economy. Therefore, the article proposes that addressing Thailand’s low economic growth requires comprehensive structural reforms, particularly upgrading the economic structure toward high-value industries, promoting the digital economy and innovation, reforming industrial policies, and improving workforce skills to meet the demands of a modern economy. These measures are essential for strengthening Thailand’s competitiveness and ensuring sustainable economic growth in the long term.

Fear, Security, and Identity: Behavioral and Perceptual Transformations under Missile Warfare Threats in the US–Israel–Iran Conflict

Mayuree Srichareun — 2026-08-23

This article aims to analyze the role of “fear” and “risk” in shaping behavioral, perceptual, and identity transformations in society under the context of missile warfare between the United States, Israel, and Iran in 2026. The findings reveal that missile warfare has transformed threats from discrete events into a condition of “permanent insecurity,” leading to the production of “social risk” that significantly influences everyday life. Fear does not merely reflect objective risk but is shaped and amplified through media and security discourses, causing individuals to overestimate threats and adjust their behavior accordingly. Such behavioral changes include avoiding risky areas, restricting daily activities, and accepting state-imposed security measures.

In terms of perception, the world is increasingly viewed as a dangerous space, while the state is perceived as a protector, resulting in increased trust in state authority under conditions of fear. Simultaneously, fear contributes to the formation of social identity through the construction of “us versus the enemy” and the rise of emotional nationalism, which fosters both social cohesion and polarization.This article argues that risk in contemporary society is not merely an objective condition but a “socially constructed reality” produced and amplified through social processes. In this context, fear becomes a central mechanism that systematically shapes behavior, perception, and identity in modern societies.

Educational Competition Culture in South Korea: Impacts on Youth and Social Inequality

Ponwipa Chumnankul — 2026-08-23

This article examines the culture of educational competition in South Korea, one of the highest-performing education systems in the world, which is also characterized by intense competition and significant pressure on students. The study aims to (1) analyze the nature of educational competition in South Korea, (2) investigate its impacts on youth, particularly in terms of mental health and quality of life, (3) explore the relationship between the education system and social inequality, and (4) propose policy recommendations to create a more balanced education system. The findings reveal that educational competition in South Korea is driven by high-stakes examinations, particularly the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), and the widespread role of hagwon (private tutoring institutions). While these factors contribute to high academic performance, they also intensify social inequality. The study further finds that intense educational competition leads to significant negative impacts on youth, including stress, depression, and other mental health issues, as well as an imbalance between academic life and personal well-being. Moreover, the education system reinforces social inequality due to unequal access to educational resources, particularly among families with different socioeconomic backgrounds. The article suggests that education reform in South Korea should focus on reducing excessive competition, diversifying assessment systems, promoting youth mental health, and addressing educational inequality in order to build a more sustainable and equitable education system.

Local Government Examination Corruption and the Crisis of the Merit Principle in Thailand’s Public Personnel Administration

Pudcharapon Mungdonkang — 2026-08-23

This article examines corruption in competitive examinations for the recruitment of local government officials and employees as a crisis of Thailand’s public personnel administration system. Alleged irregularities in local government examinations are used as a case study to assess their effects on the merit principle, equality, personnel quality, public service delivery, and public trust. The study employs documentary research based on legislation, official documents, reports issued by oversight agencies, and academic literature concerning merit-based recruitment and public personnel administration. The findings indicate that score manipulation, solicitation of benefits, brokerage networks, and interference with appointment procedures do more than confer improper advantages on certain candidates. Such practices replace selection based on knowledge and competence with money, influence, and patronage networks, thereby depriving competitive examinations of their legitimacy as a gateway to public office. Honest candidates incur financial costs, devote substantial time to preparation, and lose career opportunities, while the appointment of unqualified individuals may undermine the exercise of public authority, budget administration, and the quality of local public services. Entry into public office through corrupt means may also create incentives to seek improper benefits in order to recover expenses or repay the networks that facilitated the appointment. The article argues that responsibility must be differentiated among those who manipulate scores, offer or receive benefits, act as brokers, neglect supervisory duties, exercise managerial authority, or knowingly accept unlawful assistance, while protecting candidates and appointees who acted in good faith. The annulment of examination results or appointment orders should be based on proportionality, available evidence, and the good faith of each affected person. Appropriate remedies should include score re-examination, independent appeals, reimbursement, and protection of legitimately acquired rights. The article recommends separating duties throughout the examination process, establishing auditable score-tracking systems, imposing supervisory accountability, enabling candidates to access their examination data, creating independent review mechanisms, and dismantling brokerage and position-buying networks. These reforms are necessary to restore the merit system and rebuild public confidence in local government personnel administration.

Urban-Rural Disparities in the Continuation of Education after Marriage among Bangladeshi Women

Md Mahfuzar Rahman — 2026-08-23

Background: Despite significant progress in female education in Bangladesh, many young women discontinue their studies after marriage, with notable disparities observed between urban and rural areas. This study examines the factors associated with the continuation of education after marriage among young Bangladeshi women, with a focus on urban-rural differences.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022, which used a two-stage stratified sampling design to ensure national representation across urban and rural areas and all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with the continuation of education after marriage among young women in urban and rural settings.

Results: The results revealed that only 19.16% of Bangladeshi women continue their education after marriage, with a higher rate in urban areas (25.51%) than in rural areas (16.80%). Key factors associated with continued education include age at first marriage, household income, and region. Women who married at or after age 18 had significantly higher odds of pursuing education post-marriage. Wealthier women, particularly those from the richest households, were 4 to 5 times more likely to continue education than the poorest. In rural areas, media access and improved household conditions also supported educational continuation. Marked regional disparities were found, especially in Rangpur, Barishal, and Rajshahi. The decline in intraclass correlation from about 17% to 8% in the final models indicates that much of the variation was explained by individual, household, and community-level factors.

Conclusions: A small proportion of women in Bangladesh continue their education after marriage, highlighting a critical area of concern. Several key factors- such as socioeconomic status, age at marriage, household conditions, and geographical location- were found to significantly influence the likelihood of postnuptial educational continuation. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions that address early marriage, poverty, and regional disparities. By tackling these issues, policymakers can better support married women in pursuing education, thereby promoting gender equality and contributing to broader socio-economic development in Bangladesh.