Thai Social Science Journal

Facebook addiction among Rajshahi university students: A Cross-sectional study

Abu Sayed Md. Al Mamun, Jannatul Nayem Mamun, Farhana Hasan, Md. Golam Hossain — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Social media platforms like Facebook have become integral to students' daily routines, offering opportunities for communication, academic collaboration, and social interaction. However, their excessive use can negatively influence academic performance, disrupt time management, and contribute to mental health challenges. This study investigates the prevalence and associated factors of Facebook addiction among students at Rajshahi University in Bangladesh.

Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 400 randomly selected students residing in both male and female university halls. The research employed a structured, pre-tested questionnaire incorporating the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) to categorize students into three addiction levels: not addicted, mildly addicted, and addicted. Analytical tools included descriptive statistics, graphical representations, Chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression.

Results: The findings revealed that 28.25% of students were classified as addicted, 53.50% were mildly addicted, and the remaining 18.25% were not addicted. Moreover, male students were significantly more prone to Facebook addiction than female students. In addition, students with lower GPAs were more likely to be moderately or severely addicted. Furthermore, students whose mothers had lower levels of education exhibited higher levels of addiction. Interestingly, students from joint families experienced a lower risk of moderate addiction compared to those from nuclear families. The study also identified behavioral factors such as the duration of Facebook use and the number of online friends as strong predictors of addiction.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results showed that Facebook addiction among students is affected by academic, family, and behavioral factors. To deal with this problem, the university authorities and the government of Bangladesh should take steps such as offering digital literacy programs, providing counseling services, and encouraging family involvement to help students use social media in a healthier way.

The Thai education system and the challenges in developing human capital: problems with teaching and learning, rote memorization, the competitive examination system, and international competitiveness.

Prasub Hawhan — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article analyzes the key challenges in the Thai education system that impact human capital development, focusing on the issues of rote learning, competitive examination systems, and their effects on students’ ability to compete internationally. The study highlights the persistence of traditional teaching methods centered on memorization and high-stakes testing, which hinder the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

International assessments such as PISA and TIMSS reveal that Thai students consistently score below average in several key areas, reflecting the limitations of the education system in preparing students for the demands of the 21st century. The misalignment between education policies and labor market needs further restricts the growth of quality human capital in Thailand.The article proposes policy recommendations aimed at reforming teaching approaches to emphasize analytical and creative skills, improving teacher quality and educational resources, and revising examination systems to reduce stress and encourage deeper learning. It also stresses the importance of digital literacy and media competence to equip youth for the challenges of the modern world.

The social impact of enacting equal marriage laws in Thailand.

Nongphanga Noiwiang — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article examines the social impacts of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand by conceptualizing the law as a structural turning point in contemporary Thai society rather than merely an expansion of individual rights for LGBTQ+ people. Drawing on rights-based and equality theory, theories of family as a social institution, and perspectives on social change and discourse, the study analyzes the evolving relationship between law, family, culture, and citizenship in the Thai context.The analysis demonstrates that marriage equality has significantly reshaped the meaning of “family,” moving away from a heteronormative model toward the legal recognition of diverse forms of intimate life. This transformation contributes to the reduction of discrimination, the enhancement of human dignity, and the strengthening of the social status of LGBTQ+ individuals in both private and public spheres. Nevertheless, the article identifies persistent limitations and challenges following the implementation of the law, including gaps in reproductive rights and access to assisted reproductive technologies, inconsistencies in legal enforcement at the administrative level, and ongoing value-based tensions between religious and cultural norms and civil rights. The findings suggest that a central challenge in the post-legalization period lies in the risk of achieving formal legal equality without corresponding social acceptance. Without broader cultural and institutional transformation, legal recognition alone may be insufficient to alter everyday practices and power relations. In conclusion, the article argues that marriage equality in Thailand should be understood as the beginning of a long-term process of social transformation. The ultimate success of the law depends on the capacity of Thai society to translate legal equality into cultural recognition and to foster coexistence grounded in respect for human dignity and social diversity.

Economic stimulus policies: Analyzing the impact of "eating, traveling," and the "co-payment scheme" on the social lives of Thailand's middle and lower classes.

Pracha Sutpanpot — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

This article examines the social impacts of Thailand’s economic stimulus policies implemented during and after the COVID-19 crisis, with particular attention to the Kon La Khrueng (Half-Half) scheme and consumption-based “eat and travel” programs. Rather than viewing these measures solely as economic instruments, the study conceptualizes them as policies that penetrate everyday life and shape social relations, life security, and structural inequality between the middle and lower classes in Thai society. Drawing on public policy and targeted welfare theories, class and inequality perspectives, and the political economy of consumption, the article provides a comparative analysis of policy outcomes across social classes. The findings indicate that consumption-led stimulus policies generated substantial benefits for the middle class, including the restoration of lifestyle practices, enhanced psychological security, and the preservation of social status. In contrast, the lower class experienced limited benefits due to income insecurity, precarious employment, and policy access conditions that relied heavily on digital technology and co-payment requirements. The study argues that although these policies were framed as inclusive and universal, their implementation resulted in unequal benefit distribution and contributed to the reproduction of existing structural inequalities. The article concludes that future economic policy design should move beyond consumption-oriented stimulus toward a framework that prioritizes life security, social protection, and human dignity, while explicitly acknowledging class-based differences and social contexts. Such a shift is essential for achieving more equitable and sustainable economic recovery in Thailand.