Biodiversity in Southeast Asia has been decreasing as a result of human activities. The findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, reported in 2005, demonstrated that environmental change, such as deforestation, has resulted in recent major loss of biodiversity at the species level and increased rates of extinction; however, it is unknown whether a similar deficit has occurred at the level of genetic diversity within species. This study aims to understand how the past has shaped the current pattern of genetic diversity, the impact of recent forest loss on genetic diversity and how this information can be used to develop effective conservation strategy. To achieve this aim, microsatellites were developed by sequencing genomic libraries and from comparisons of database sequences. The utility of these markers for population genetics studies has been tested and confirmed for the three main study taxa and across a broad range of other squirrel species. These microsatellites and mitochondrial sequence data (cytochrome b gene) were utilized to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of three squirrel taxa with varying degrees of forest dependency on Thailand’s tropical forests. The most forest dependent taxon is Phayre’s flying squirrel (Hylopetes phayrei). The second taxon is the moderately forest-dependent tree squirrel, the Grey-bellied squirrel (Callosciurus caniceps). The third, and least forest dependent taxon, is the Indochinese ground squirrel, Menetes berdmorei. Our data revealed far more biodiversity in these taxa than previously recognized; there were three genetically distinct lineages in H. phayrei and M. berdmorei and two lineages in C. caniceps. This demonstrates that biodiversity in this region has been underestimated. In the two most forest dependent taxa lineage divergence dated to the Pleistocene indicating that this biodiversity was generated by isolation in allopatric forest refugia during the cool, dry periods of the Pleistocene. In H. phayrei, the most forest-dependent taxon, at least two of the lineages were distinct species occurring sympatrically in Thailand on the border with Myanmar. This taxon supported the biogeographical hypothesis developed in forest dependent mosquitoes of allopatric isolation in northwest and northeastern Pleistocene refugia. Callosciurus caniceps had evidence of a southern refugium in peninsular Thailand or Malaysia. The lower levels of structuring in the least forest dependent taxon M. berdmorei suggest a limited impact of Pleistocene environmental change. All three taxa had eastern lineages which may have been due to Pleistocene forest fragmentation in some of the species. These eastern populations typically had lower levels of microsatellite and mtDNA genetic diversity. This is likely due to the recent loss of genetic diversity as in recent decades these forests have been highly fragmented and reduced in size due to human activity. Our finding that the northern Thai-Myanmar border region is a suture zone in highly dependent forest species and has high within lineage/species diversity makes this region a priority for conservation. The distinct genetic lineages in the east and south should also be managed as separate conservation units. Further efforts are required to assess the impact of loss of genetic diversity in Thailand’s fragmented forests and how this may be remedied.

The objective of this investigation is the development of an instrument for use by administrators, faculty members, and students in teachers training colleges in Bangkok, Thailand for the measurement and evaluation of the total requirements, responsibilities, and activities of faculty members. The purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating faculty performance effectiveness, as a means of improving instruction and learning, and as a standard for faculty promotion in Bangkok's teachers training colleges.

This thesis examines the case for a wealth transfer tax in Thailand, against the background, inter alia, of the failure of Thailand’s defunct tax law on estate and inheritance (the Estate and Inheritance Tax Act, 1933). Thailand has a significant problem with income and wealth distribution, with an increasing gulf between the rich and the poor—a root cause of the nation’s ongoing political conflicts. Such substantial economic inequality is partly caused by imbalances and inequalities in the Thai taxation system, and it will be argued that the tax system requires restructuring through the introduction of the wealth transfer tax. This would be a significant tax policy initiative that may assist in tackling a root cause of Thailand’s political and economic crises. In addressing the above issues, this thesis examines aspects of the US federal estate and gift taxes and the UK inheritance tax systems. Comparisons between the criteria, rules and concepts in the US and UK systems reveal that Thailand should not simply import wholesale the approach of either country. Both systems have commendable features that may, when combined, help address the causes of the failure of the Thai Estate and Inheritance Tax Act of 1933. It will be argued that a wealth transfer tax should be introduced in Thailand, in the form of a transferor-based system, which incorporates selected criteria, rules, and concepts arising from both the US and UK jurisdictions. In adopting the proposed reform, it is essential to consider Thailand’s political, economic, social and legal contexts, including Thailand’s current legislation relating to wealth transfers, as such laws will inform and partly shape the drafting of a prospective wealth transfer tax in Thailand.

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Montane evergreen forests in northern Thailand have been severely fragmented and converted to agricultural lands and other forms of development that affect wildlife. The objectives of this study were to examine patterns and changes in montane evergreen forest patches, and document wildlife responses in terms of species diversity, abundance, and distribution. The study was conducted in Om Koi and Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuaries, Chiang Mai and Tak Provinces. LANDSAT TM imagery, aerial photographs, GIS, and the spatial pattern analysis program FRAGSTATS were employed to examine landscape patterns and changes. I found that Om Koi still maintained large patches (>400ha) with connectivity while Mae Tuen was comprised mainly of small isolated patches (<100 ha). Mae Tuen lost 2,640 ha of montane evergreen forest within 50 years compared to 888 ha in Om Koi. Road development and cabbage cultivation in Mae Tuen played a major role in accelerating forest loss. For the wildlife survey, I compared 4 forest patches in Mae Tuen, which are heavily fragmented and disturbed, with another 4 in Om Koi, where human influences are less. I used 1-km transects to survey animals in each patch. For mammals, 156 5 x 1m track recording stations were set up in each location for recording footprints. Over a 9-month period from September 1997 to June 1998 I found 9 species of mammals in Mae Tuen and 19 in Om Koi. I also found 89 species (1,238 detections) of birds in Mae Tuen and 119 (1,192) in Om Koi. Large patches (>400 ha) with connectivity still supported large mammals, primates, and a high diversity of birds. Bird diversities were significantly greater (P = 0.011) in large patches in Om Koi than in the small patches in Mae Tuen. Large frugivorous birds such as hornbills were found in Om Koi but there were none in Mae Tuen. Small patches (<100 ha) in Mae Tuen were still valuable for forest birds and virtually no penetration by clearing birds was found. Track counts gave 886 mammal tracks in Mae Tuen and 2,016 in Om Koi. Om Koi patches still support large mammals such as the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), tiger (Panthera tigris), Asiatic black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), and sambar (Cervus unicolor) but there were none in Mae Tuen. Three species of primates existed in Om Koi but they were virtually extinct from Mae Tuen. There were traces of a positive relationship between bird and mammal diversities and patch size. The distribution model for elephants suggests that villages in the middle of elephant seasonal migratory paths must be restricted from development and slash-and-burn cultivation to reduce the impact on elephant populations. The small population of bantengs (Bos javanicus) was confined to a small area as revealed by the distribution model. These animals need urgent and effective protection to avoid extirpation. Hunting, burning, and domestic cattle dispersing into the forest are other influences threatening wildlife in the areas. / Graduate

In 2015, Thailand implemented a comprehensive fisheries reform to address allegations of forced labour, trafficking, and illegal fishing. This paper conducts an institutional landscape review of the actors involved in the reform and their responses, mapping out the successes and gaps using a Social Protection Framework. The impact the reform has had on social protection for migrant workers is then examined through interviews with port workers and trafficked fishers. Close attention is paid to Burmese migrants who were trafficked onto Thai vessels to highlight the varying degrees of social protection (or lack thereof) for workers in the fishing sector. The paper argues that the policies of the Thai fisheries reform impact workers unevenly, and that vulnerability often depends on where the migrants work and where they are from. Not enough is being done to assist trafficked victims, particularly past the rescue stage.

The December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami wrecked thousands of lives, homes, and livelihoods - losses that could have been avoided with timely and better information. A resource such as information is needed at a fundamental level much like water, food, medicine, or shelter. This dissertation examines the development of the Thai information society, in terms of the share of information workforce and the level of diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT), as well as, the role of the Thai information society in response to the tsunami disaster. The study combined the historical and political economy analyses in explaining factors influencing the growth of information workforce and the development of ICT in Thailand. Interviews conducted in 2007-08 revealed the Thai information society responded to the 2004 Tsunami - the first global internet-mediated natural disaster - in two areas: on-site assistance in collecting and recording identification information of tsunami disaster victims and on-line dissemination of disaster relief information. The effectiveness of ICT institutions in providing the tsunami disaster relief efforts and increasing the development of the information society were assessed using statistical procedures analyzing the perceptions of the Internet-based survey respondents. The disaster effects on survey respondents were also assessed. The study's findings include: (1) the Thai information sector development pattern confirmed a key difference between development patterns of information sectors in developed and developing countries, (2) the increasing number of Thai information workers was due more to the expansion of government than the expansion in the manufacturing and service sectors during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, (3) Thailand's expansion of ICT infrastructure was influenced not only on the basis of economic profitability but also by political desirability, and (4) volunteers were crucial in humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

This thesis compares Thailand',s relations with the United States and China from 196541975, The realist as-sumes that the structure of power in the internationall system determines overall relations between states' First, this study describes the power situation in southeast Asia in 1965, The next steps are concerned with the study of Thai-U, S. relations and Thai-Chinese relations, The thesis finds that Thailand's relations with the United States and China are determined by the structure of power. When a major power like the United States changes its policies to accommodate China, Thailand, which is a small country, turns to be more friendly with China, These attitudes correlate with the realist assumption,.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / Research suggests that web-based education increases opportunities for underserved populations to be integrated into educational activities (Schmetzke, 2001; Burgstahler, 2002; Opitz, Savenye, & Rowland, 2003). This may be true for students with disabilities because they have more flexibility to participate in formal education. However, Moisey (2004) found that people with disabilities had lower rates of enrollment and educational achievement than people without disabilities. These findings raise the question of whether or not web-based = education helps increase students with disabilities' access to learning opportunities and improve their learning outcome. This study investigated the degree of difficulty blind persons had in accessing and using web-based educational resources provided by Thailand Cyber University (TCU). Based on a mixed methods design, the data were collected in two phases. Quantitative data were collected first, in order to identify accessibility problems and conformance levels reported by automated web accessibility evaluation tools. Qualitative data was collected from interviews with blind participants in the second phase to expand the understanding of the accessibility problems and usability issues that were not discovered in the quantitative phase by the automated web accessibility evaluation tools. The findings indicate that all of the 13 selected web pages failed to meet a minimum requirement of WCAG 2.0. This means those selected web pages would be inaccessible for the blind. However, the findings indicate blind participants rated only one of the 13 pages as inaccessible. Moreover, their ratings of difficulty on "usability" were higher than their ratings of difficulty on "accessibility" on the same web page. On six out of 22 tasks, blind and sighted user groups agreed on the ratings. Nevertheless, the time that it took to complete each task varied greatly between the two user groups. / 2031-01-01