Developing supported health tourism cluster for high quality tourism of BRIC in Active Beach Group of Thailand

This study focuses on promoting high quality tourism from BRIC, specifically. The Thailand Tourism Department plans to support the development of this market. The eastern Thai provinces, have great tourism potential--Thailand Tourism Cluster (TCC), Active Beach. These provinces offer numerous, varied and unique activities to the tourist. The Thai Government has the budget for development, growth and improvement of tourism to high revenue potential for the health tourism industry and local community economies, in general. All parties received opportunity for all involvement in the process of drafting the strategic plan that would be recognized and applied in practice. The plan, as developed, recognizes that Thailand is an attractive target for high quality tourism. Health tourism development may have many beneficial consequences, both economic and environmental, for a destination. Research driven cluster is a development of a model to promote health-oriented, participatory and sustainable to cater to the provinces in the active beach. .peer-reviewe

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Thai Indigenous Chickens Raised Under Backyard Conditions in Northern Thailand

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and worm burden of gastrointestinal parasites in Thai indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) kept under extensive backyard conditions in Northern Thailand. A total of 211 male (N = 98) and female (N = 113) chickens from 11 smallholder farms were selected randomly between December 2016 and May 2017. At slaughter, fecal samples were collected to estimate fecal egg counts (presented as eggs per gram of feces) and oocyst counts (oocyst per gram of feces). The gastrointestinal tract of each animal was examined for the presence of parasites. The percentage of FEC- and FOC-positive samples was 33.7 and 55.4%, respectively. On average, 111 ± 328 ascarid eggs and 2,983 ± 11,641 coccidian oocysts were found. From the post mortem examination, 3 nematode species and cestodes were recovered. A total of 156 (73.9%) of the sampled chickens were infected with at least 1 helminth species. Average worm burden per chicken was 46.7 (SD = 50.9, median = 30). The most prevalent species were the nematodes Heterakis gallinarum (70.6%) followed by Ascaridia galli (60.2%) and Capillaria spp. (44.1%). The overall prevalence of cestodes was 27.7%. Apart from A. galli with higher prevalence in males than in females (P ≤ 0.05), gender did neither affect prevalence nor worm burden (P > 0.05). Growth performance was not negatively affected by helminth infections. In conclusion, the vast majority of Thai native chickens are subclinically infected with at least 1 helminth species under the studied backyard conditions

รูปแบบการพัฒนาสมรรถนะด้านไอซีที ของครูผู้สอนรายวิชาพื้นฐานเทคโนโลยีสารสนเทศและการสื่อสารระดับประถมศึกษาตามหลักสูตรแกนกลางการศึกษาขั้นพื้นฐานพุทธศักราช 2551 สังกัดสำนักงานคณะกรรมการการศึกษาขั้นพื้นฐาน

The objectives of this research were to 1) survey the components, indicators and needs of ICT Competency development model based on the core curriculum of the Basic Education B.E.2551 (A.D. 2008) for teachers on the information and communications technology course under the Office of the Basic Education Commission, 2) develop the ICT competency development model for teachers and 3) implement the developed model. The research was conducted in 3 phases. The first phase was to analyze the components, indicators and needs of ICT competency development. The subjects of this phase were 316 teachers and education personnel who were under the Primary Educational Service Area Office in Bureau Inspection 7, Ministry of Education, and 181 teachers who had responded to a questionnaire to organize the most important components for development. The second phase was to develop the model which was evaluated by 9 experts. Finally, the third phase was to implement the developed model. The subjects in this phase were 30 teachers. The instruments used in the research were a questionnaire related to components and indicators of ICT competency, a questionnaire regarding the needs of ICT competency development, a knowledge test, a quality evaluation form, and a satisfaction questionnaire. The statistics used in the research were Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), percentage, mean, standard deviation and t-test (Dependent sample). The results of the research revealed that: 1) there were 5 components and 53 indicators for ICT Competency of teachers. The teachers need to develop the ICT competency at a high level ( mean = 3.81, S.D. = 0.42). 2) The model development consisted of 5 components: learning mediums, activities, evaluation, mentoring technique, social network online. The training activities based on the four steps: motivation, information, application and process. The first component, the competency on the development of teaching and learning technology media, consisted of 13 indicators and was developed to be 5 units of training curriculum. The evaluation of the appropriateness of the developed model was rated at a high level ( mean = 4.46, S.D. = 0.62), and the evaluation of appropriateness of training curriculum was rated at the highest level ( mean = 4.58, S.D. = 0.50). 3). The implementation of developed model revealed that the efficiency of the developed model was 77.93/76.78. The overall learning activities of subjects were rated at a high level ( mean = 4.34, S.D. = 0.52), and finally, the teachers’ satisfaction towards the developed model was rated at a high level ( mean = 4.24, S.D. = 0.75)

Factors Influencing Decision Making to Revisit Japan of the Thai Bangkokian Millennial Tourists during Public Holidays

Even though Japan encounters several tourism issues including an epidemic like COVID-19, Japan is still among the pioneering countries when it comes to opening its doors to tourists. Currently, Japan tour packages are drawing high attention from Bangkokian millennials who prefer to travel during Thai public holidays due to diverse reasons. Hence, this study focused on identifying tourism marketing mix factors that influence Thai Bangkokian millennial tourists during Thai public holidays. Two hypotheses were set up. A verified questionnaire was used to collect the data from targeted 400 samples, then the data were analyzed into percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Also, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and regression analysis were used to test hypotheses and identify relationships and influences between variables. The results indicated that, in terms of demographic characteristics, gender, age, status, occupation, and income influence Thai millennial tourists to revisit Japan. Meanwhile, according to 12 tourism marketing factors, product and service quality factor, price factor, promotion factor, process factor, political factor, performance management factor, and presentation and public relations factor significantly affect the decision to revisit Japan of Thai millennial tourists in the Bangkok during public holidays

Ketonuria in Holstein Friesian Milking Cows in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract Ketonuria tests on Holstein Friesian milking cows were performed at a farm in Chiangmai, Thailand. Test 1: 20 cows were tested for ketonuria at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks postpartum. 45% of the cows showed negative results and 78% of these were low milkers (cumulative 14-week milk production, < 2000 kg). Cows testing positive for ketonuria were more at week 2 and 4 than at week 6, 8, 10 and 12 postpartum (30, 30, 5, 10, 10 and 15% respectively). There was no ketonuria detected at 14 weeks postpartum. Fifty percent of ketonuria cows at weeks 2 and 4 postpartum were high milkers (cumulative 14-week milk production, 3001-4000 kg). Variations in the number of ketonuria cows from week 2 to 14 postpartum among low, moderate (cumulative 14-week milk production, 2001-3000 kg) and high milkers were not significant (χ 2 = 7.57, p>0.05). There was no correlation between ketonuria cows and milk production (contingency coefficient: C = 0.78, p>0.05). Test 2: 24 cows were tested monthly for ketonuria at 3 periods postpartum: 0-4, 5-8 and 9-12 weeks. 62.5% of the cows were negative at all testing periods. There were more cows with ketonuria at 0-4 weeks than at 5-8 and 9-12 weeks postpartum (21, 17 and 17% respectively). The correlation between ketonuria occurrence and milk production at 0-4 and 9-12 weeks sampling period were significant (p<0.05, ρ = 0.41 and 0.44 respectively) but not at 5-8 weeks postpartum (ρ = 0.39, p>0.05)

Guidelines for Health Tourism Route Management for Tourism SME Entrepreneurs to Promote High Quality Tourism in Active Beach Tourism Cluster

This research aimed to study needs of health tourism activities of high-quality tourists in Active Beach Tourism Cluster and to propose guidelines for health tourism route management for tourism SME Entrepreneurs to promote high quality tourism in Active Beach Tourism Cluster. The investigated areas consisted of Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat. 400 questionnaires were distributed to foreign tourists by Accidental Sampling. The obtained data were analyzed by means of Inferential Statistics, in-depth interview, and small group discussion. In addition, big group discussion was organized with 30 health tourism stakeholders and 25 stakeholders from 4 partners connecting with tourism and the data were compiled by the implementation of semi-structure interview and were screened and classified by means of content analysis and then inductive description.   The result uncovered that Thai massage was the most interesting activity while mineral bathing was at the highest level of tourists’ behavior trends. The overall image of tourists travelling in Active Beach Tourism Cluster was Thai massage and mineral bathing. In addition,  the process to enhance health tourism route management for tourism SME Entrepreneurs comprises 4 key steps; 1) Input, 2) Process, 3) Product, and 4) Feedback. &nbsp

The Digital Marketing Promotion Guidelines for Health Tourism in Thai Traditional Medical Hospital to High – Quality Asian and European Travelers

This mixed- method research between qualitative and quantitative research aims to study factors affecting decision-making toward the service accessibility in Thai traditional medical hospital of high-quality Asian and European travelers and to propose digital marketing promotion guidelines for health tourism in Thai traditional medical hospital to high-quality Asian and European travelers. The questionnaires were distributed to 400 Asian and European travelers by using accidental sampling in order to gather data from 5 model hospitals; Nopparatrajathanee Hospital in Bangkok province, Chomthong Hospital in Chiang Mai province, Patong Hospital in Phuket province, Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri province, and Sichiangmai Hospital in Nong Khai province. The obtained data were analyzed by means of descriptive, inferential statistics and Multiple Regression Analysis. In-depth interview was employed to 13 stakeholders in the 5 model hospitals and semi-structure interview was utilized to 23 partners of the 5 model hospitals by purposive sampling. The derived data were screened and classified by means of content analysis and then inductive description The results showed that service quality variable  “reliable (β= .271 )”  was the most influential factor toward decision-making for the service accessibility in Thai traditional medical hospital of high-quality travelers with  Regression Coefficient of predictor variables in standard score (β= .271 ), followed by tangibility (β = .244),  and assurance (β = .219). With respect to mix marketing variables, “place (β = .443)” was the most influential factor toward decision-making of travelers together with people (β = .305), physical evidence (β = -.174), quality and product development (β = .174), and promotion (β = -.164). According to this study, the researcher has analyzed and proposed 10 guidelines for digital marketing promotion for health tourism in Thai Traditional medical hospital to high – quality Asian and European Traveler

Tourism Campaign in Thailand Second Tier Cities during COVID-19 Considering Usability

There is a lack of research on We Travel Together Project evaluation, especially in the secondary tier tourism cities of Thailand. This article focuses on; the government supported COVID-19 campaign in Thailand compared to other countries; analyzing the number of hotels available and comparing website and mobile application ease of use in We Travel Together Project in the secondary tier tourism cities of Thailand. The results found that Japan is the only country that has a similar tourism campaign as Thailand during COVID-19 but with a greater budget and unlimited rights. There are not enough hotels available for tourists in the second tier tourist cities when compared to the primary tier tourist cities and other channels of booking hotels. Thirty users took part in an experiment. Expert validation and review was used to confirm data. The results found that there was a significant difference at the .05 level for two platforms between the users’ System Usability Scale (SUS) ratings and the experts’ SUS ratings (Agoda and Direct to Hotel). The experts rated all three platforms GOOD, whereas the users rated two platforms OK and one platform GOOD (Ascend). There was a significant difference at the .05 level between users’ SUS scores for Ascend Travel website booking direct to hotel, and Agoda App but not between the other platforms. The participants are more satisfied in the usability of Ascend Travel website than the other two platforms. Further research needs to be undertaken on how to improve the platforms

Cash Rich-Time Poor Tourists: What Required by Thai High-End Tourists to Travel with Luxury Outbound Tour Operators

The advancement of digitization and new era technology has made it easier for travelers to travel alone. While demand for tourists traveling with tour operators continues to decline, certain types of travelers, particularly cash rich-time poor tourists, so called high-end tourists, continue to rely on tour operators to smooth their journeys. In this study Thai high-end tourists were examined to explain their requirements on luxury outbound tour operators to facilitate their travels to Russia as a case study. To enhance the standard of tour operators, indicators of luxury outbound tour operators are required. However, indicators that help to confirm quality of luxury outbound tour operators have never been developed, this study aims to create indicators of luxury outbound tour operators that match Thai high-end tourists to Russia. The findings of the study recognized 5 main criteria by collecting data through in-dept interviews with 7 managers and 7 staffs of luxury outbound tour operators to Russia. Professional human resources, effective management, high valued marketing, luxury service and exclusivity are the five major criteria that are to satisfy high-end Thai tourists. These five major criteria covering twenty indicators should be adopted by luxury tour operators to enhance their performance and apply with their strategy to generate more incomes and increase their competitiveness in the future

Use of Lemon Grass Oil as Feed Additive in Weanling Pig Diets

Abstract An experiment was conducted at Chiang Mai University to determine the use of lemon grass oil as additive in weanling pigs. 28 days old weaned piglets were randomly distributed into 5 groups of 6, 4, 5, 4 and 4 animals each in a completely randomised design (CRD). The piglets were housed in individual cages. Diet 1 (control diet) was a basal diet containing corn-soybean meal. Diet 2 was a basal diet supplemented with 0.75 g tetracycline /kg basal diet. diet 3, 4 and 5 were basal diets supplemented with lemon grass oil at 1, 2.5 and 5 ml/kg diet respectively.. Diets were formulated according to NRC (1998) requirements. The productive performance and faecal characteristics of the pigs were determined beginning at 7 ± 0.8 kg BW until 20 ± 0.8 kg BW. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs fed diet 1 to 5 were 420, 390, 330, 320 and 380 g/d and 1.89, 1.88, 1.81, 1.87 and 1.73, respectively. There was no significant difference of ADG among treatments. The inclusion of lemon grass oil 5 ml/kg diet tended to improve FCR of piglets. The pigs fed control diet had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) than pigs fed diets containing 1 and 2.5 ml lemon grass oil /kg diet (diet 3 and 4). There were no differences (p>0.05) in ADFI of pigs fed diet containing lemon grass oils (diet 3, 4 and 5). The faecal score (shape and colour) of the pigs fed diet 4 and 5 was better than in pigs fed other diets (p<0.05). The results suggest that lemon grass oil can substitute tetracycline as feed additive