A norm of gender equality in the navy : a case study of integrating female officers and sailors onboard warships in the Royal Thai Navy

Name: Pongpun Kaewsarn

keyword: Gender equality

; Combative roles

; Warships Integration of females

; Women in combat

; Navy

; Equal opportunity

Abstract: This research investigates the norm of gender equality utilizing two international relation theories of constructivism and feminism in a case study of identifying the contributing factors of integrating female officers and sailors onboard warships in the Royal Thai Navy. The research reflects a non-western perspective in which previous researches have not explored. Most previous researches that were related to women in combat are from a western perspective. The research was conducted in a mixed method utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Conducting a survey from personnel within the Royal Thai Navy covering all ranks from officers, non-commissioned officers, to trainees. As for the qualitative part, a semi-structured interview interlinked with the variables from the survey was conducted from officers who work in different branches for the Royal Thai Navy such as human resources, operations planning, and commanding officers of warships. Additional and supplementary interviews from overseas naval officers from Singapore, Brunei and Australia were also conducted, in which can provide a better overall perspective from both outside and inside the organization. The research identified what changes must be made in order for organizations with long-standing culture and traditions like the Royal Thai Navy have to make in order to conform with international norms. Military culture and ideology are seemingly impossible to change or breakthrough, however through small repetition and gradual increments of changing ideals and viewpoints of individuals through constructive idea sets can eventually change how the issue is perceived. This welcomes and eases change within organizations with more strict and long-standing rules and regulations. Traditional ideas must be challenged and tested to prove to the public and reflect that change is possible. External pressure and internal pressure all play a role in pressuring change for the organization. The findings of this research show and reflects evidence that personnel within the organization itself already has a level of acknowledgement and understanding in terms of gender equality, in which the majority reflected that change for the better for the organization is welcomed and not condoned upon. From this research we gained a better understanding from a non-western perspective and is able to provide a brief policy recommendation for the organization to initiate change

Thammasat University. Thammasat University Library

Address: BANGKOK

Email: preserv@tu.ac.th

Name: Jittipat Poonkhum

Role: advisor

Created: 2023

Modified: 2025-06-09

Issued: 2025-06-09

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

DOI: 10.14457/TU.the.2022.1655

eng

DegreeName: Master of Political Science

Level: Master's Degree

Descipline: International Relations

Grantor: Thammasat University

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