Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my PhD. supervisors,
Professor Michael Grenfell and Dr. John Schulz for their enthusiasm, inspiration and
great efforts to make things clearly and simply. Throughout my thesis-writing period,
both of them provided encouragement, thoughtful guidance and helpful suggestions.
My thesis would not be completed without them.
My special thanks also go to Professor Do Coyle, my external examiner from the
School of Education, the University of Aberdeen, and Dr. Brenda Johnston, my
internal examiner, who provided insightful comments and suggestions to improve this
thesis.
Additionally, this thesis could not be completed without the invaluable help of
students, friends and colleagues at King Mongkut’s University of Technology North
Bangkok. I am also grateful to Asst. Prof. Dr. Ngamthip Wimolkasem, who provided
encouragement and invaluable suggestions for my research instruments.
Moreover, I am also grateful to the Faculty of Applied Arts, King Mongkut’s
University of Technology North Bangkok and the Royal Thai Government who
financially support me to undertake this doctoral degree.
In addition, I wish to thank my entire family, my husband and my sisters for providing
love, care, encouragement and understanding. Without their support, I would not have
been able to finish my thesis.
Lastly and most importantly, I wish to thank my dear parents, Preecha Tathong and
Wanpen Tathong. They raised me, taught me, supported me and loved me. To them I
dedicate this thesis.