Waqf Management in Thailand: A Case Study in Bangkok Mosques

Waqf properties in Thailand have been increasing since the presence of mosques in Thailand. However, the waqf is not managed in a convenient manner. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the form of waqf management, the situation of waqf management and the expression of waqf managers of mosques in waqf management. The study surveyed the Islamic committees of mosques via questionnaires and interviews. The results showed that the greatest form of waqf management in Thailand is the rental form. The key problem of waqf management is the lack of understanding of waqf management, and the key obstacle is waqf administrative law. The results of this study contribute to waqf management knowledge especially in terms of waqf management in non-Muslim countries. Furthermore, this study provides information in terms of the statistics on waqf, the function of waqf management in development and the economic significance of waqf management

Muslim businesses in Bangkok, Thailand

Muslim business in Thailand has become more important recently after the involvement of them in many types of business particularly in Bangkok. Their participation in commercial enterprises was found not to be competitive with non-Muslim communities in Thailand. Some elements that hinder them from operating their business efficiently are lack of skills in managing business, lack of capital funds and not fully practicing Islamic religious beliefs. Nevertheless, the types of their business have still not been studied thoroughly. This study aimed to examine the types and the situations of Muslim businesses in Bangkok, Thailand. It also examines aspects of religious practice among Muslim business and their perceptions in business. The method used in this study was qualitative. The data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used in this study. The findings show that commercial business is the most dominant business practice among Muslim businessmen in Bangkok. The conventional bank and the involvement of riba are still practiced by some Muslim businessmen. Nevertheless, Islamic business practices are being improved due to the awareness of Islamic religious teachings. Capital fund is the most crucial problem in running businesses among the Muslims in Bangkok. The main contribution of this work is the documentation of information on the position of Muslim businesses, job organization and religious practice knowledge. Likewise, it also gives solutions about practicing Islamic business in Bangkok, Thailand to the government and the Muslim community

Developing a Knowledge Management Model for Self-reliant Communities

This study aimed to develop a knowledge management (KM) model for self-reliant communities. The areas and focus groups were Ban Nam Kliang and Ban Lao Rat Phatthana, Amphoe Wapi Pathum, Changwat Maha Sarakham with 8 groups and 40 persons. Mixed research methodologies were used. Results: 1) the developed community organization KM model consisted of these stages: community preparation; building motivations, awareness, participation promotion, and building visions; making plans/developing team potentials; implementing/plans in practice and work development; and summary evaluation. 2) Every organization group generated community knowledge managers. There were KM operations comprising: building, classifying, storing, implementing, sharing, and evaluating knowledge. 3) The focus groups showed their satisfaction with work operation as a whole at a high level. And 4) The factors of KM success of the community organizations included: enthusiasm about learning, leadership of the researcher and participants, participatory work climate, action learning, and work mechanisms (community organization KM centers)

Non-isothermal decomposition kinetics of theobromine in nitrogen atmosphere

The non-isothermal decomposition process of theobromine under nitrogen atmosphere was studied using the differential thermal analysis (DTA), from room temperature up to 500 °C, at heating rates, 5, 15 and 20 °C/min. The results showed that theobromine decomposes in two steps. The kinetic analysis of the first decomposition step was performed using Kissinger, Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose isoconventional methods. The kinetic model was determined using Šatava-Šesták method. Results showed that the non-isothermal decomposition mechanism of theobromine corresponds to nucleation and growth, following the Avrami-Erofeev equation. The forms of the integral and differential equations for the mechanism function are g(α)=(-ln(1-α))2/3 and f(α)=(3/2)(1-α)(-ln(1-α))1/3, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters of the non-isothermal decomposition process, change of enthalpy (ΔH), change of entropy (ΔS), and change of Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values were calculated

A Quality Assurance Model for Training Government Teachers and Educational Officers of Educational Service Area Office

This research aimed to construct a suitable quality assurance model for training government teachers and educational officers of the Educational Service Area Offices. The research was separated into 3 phases: phase 1 was to review textbooks and research and to explore some information and opinions from people working at the Educational Service Area Offices around the country, phase 2 was to create and improve a quality assurance model for training and training standards, and phase 3 was to assess the model used in 5 training projects. The results of the research showed that the suitable model for quality assurance of the training of government teachers and educational officers of the Educational Service Area Offices consisted of 7 steps as follows: 1) Making Awareness of Quality, 2) Setting Goals & Training Standards, 3) Quality Monitoring, 4) Quality Audit, 5) Quality Assessment, 6) Quality Accreditation, and 7) Reinforcement. Keywords: training, quality assurance, personnel development, training standards, government teachers and educational officers

Catalytic Ozonation using Iron-Doped Water Treatment Sludge as a Catalyst for Treatment of Phenol in Synthetic Wastewater

In this study, iron (Fe)-doped water treatment sludge, designated as Fe/WTS, was prepared by a hydrothermal method using phosphoric acid and impregnation with ferric nitrate. The results from X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of Fe loaded on the WTS support, while Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis indicated an increase of specific surface area of the WTS from 37.37 m2/g to 118.51 m2/g after acid modification. The Fe/WTS was successfully used as a catalyst in catalytic ozonation for degradation of phenol in synthetic wastewater. Factors affecting phenol removal efficiency including reaction time, pH, catalyst dosage, and Fe content were investigated. At the optimum condition, i.e., reaction time of 120 min, pH of 11, catalyst dosage of 1 g/L, and Fe content of 2% (w/w), the removal efficiency of phenol was 99.16% which was higher than that of sole ozonation (44.61%). The results of kinetic analyses indicated that the reactions of catalytic ozonation in the presence of Fe/WTS and WTS catalysts followed pseudo-first order kinetic model with rate constants of 0.0362 and 0.0065 min-1, respectively, while that of sole ozone was 0.0046 min-1. This finding presented the potential use of Fe/WTS as a novel catalyst for catalytic ozonation

Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes

We report herein, a scalable method for the preparation of alumina (Al2O3)-phosphate ceramics reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). All composites were manufactured by direct on-site growth of CNTs on ceramic particles via catalytic chemical vapour deposition. Introduction of catalyst metals to the substrate was achieved through two simple approaches, drip-coating and vacuum filtration, both of which have been reviewed. Transmission electron microscopy was utilised to investigate the interface between the Al2O3 surface and the in-situ CNTs. Resultant ceramics were produced by impregnating phosphoric acid into the Al2O3+CNT nanocomposite powder followed by die-pressing. In order to maintain the integrity of the CNTs, dehydration/curing was performed at 130-150○C. Scanning electron microscopy was elected to comparatively characterise the microstructure of this type of ceramic nanocomposite against its monolithic equivalent. Possible mechanisms by which specific features have formed are discussed

Hypotensive effect and endothelium-dependent vascular action of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way