Needs of Thai youth on the cultural knowledge of the countries in the ASEAN Community

Abstract

This qualitative research is the first part of the thesis, namely: The innovative development of an electronic book on cultural uniqueness of ASEAN countries for Thai youth. The purposes of the research were: 1) to study the cultural knowledge of Thai youth about the ASEAN countries, and 2) to study the needs of youth on the knowledge about the cultures of the countries in the ASEAN Community. The study areas comprised 12 educational institutions in Bangkok and its vicinity. The sampling groups totaled 72 informants, comprised 12 teachers and 60 Thai youths. Surveys, observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and workshops were used as research instruments. The researcher found that majority of Thai youth wanted to have information on Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, respectively. The information about Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia was less interesting. Their interested areas in order of priority were: 1) social etiquette, 2) food, 3) religions, 4) language and literature, 5) clothing, 6) housing, 7) population 8) performances, and 9) festivals. In conclusion, Thai youth still lack awareness of ASEAN countries as well as their own country and the Thai cultural uniqueness of which they should be proud. Most were superficial and did not know as much as they should. There should be jointly campaigning before Thai people would lose their chances and interests in ASEAN Community.