Day 4 (7th Jan)

Today started off with a lecture by a professor at CMU. The first impression of CMU was the older looking structures and the relative simple campus with few facilities. This makes me grateful for what NTU has to offer students. The lecturer proceeded to her lecture of the effects of globalisation in Chiang Mai, covering a vast range of these effects ranging from dietary preference to migration issues. While not completely relevant to our project, it was still interesting to observe how far the arms of globalisation has reached, even to relatively less developed regions like Chiang Mai. We were also able to seize the opportunity to ask the professor some questions and gather her perspective on the use of social media by Thai youths.

While this was happening, the other youth culture sub-group had an interview with a CMU Professor who specialises in gender studies, and it was apparently ‘the best interview’ they have ever done, as their professor was able to offer them many insights and perspectives into their research. This makes me regret not having done more background work prior to the trip, like contacting a professor that might be able to provide us with valuable information on our own research topic. However, the whole idea of the module of Fieldwork and Documentation was to provide us a learning experience journey where we can pick up the ropes of doing Fieldwork research. This experience has only helped to make me a wiser person. Hopefully, I will be able to carry out more effective background research in future as I embark on my career in science research, such that regrets and disappointments can be minimised.

After a rushed and not so pleasant lunch, we are back in CMU to collect more data. The highlight of today was the focus-group discussion (FGD). Fye managed to gather some of her fellow political science majors as participants for the FGD. One notable thing I remembered was this girl who said she was in a rush, but offered to continue to help us anyway. Once again, I am very appreciative of the willingness of Thai youths to go out of their way to help complete strangers.

I was never one to talk a lot, so having me facilitate the FGD is not that great an idea. This task was handled masterfully by Michelle and Janice, while the rest of us continue to hand our survey around the campus. According to what I heard from them, the FGD went really well, and our FGD participants have a lot of differing opinions on the issue of the role of social media in Chiang Mai. I am really excited to listen to the recording it is uploaded!

We then went over to Angkeaw Lake located in CMU. We reached the place at around 5pm, right where the sun was starting to set. With the mountain background, a lake that stretches endlessly and the beautiful light of the setting sun, the sight was truly fitting of a postcard design. All our inner ‘camwhore’ spirits were unleashed as we couldn’t help but take multiple photos and selfies. The day ended with a trip back to MAYA mall, where we had some alcoholic drink to mark the end of a tiring day.

Overall, it has been a fun and productive day, where we managed to gather solid qualitative information to base our research work on. The little mix of free and easy time at night allowed us to end the day on a high note, as we prepare for the last full day in Chiang Mai the next day.