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Living Museums of Thailand: Exploring Floating Markets as Cultural Hubs for Lifelong Learning

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Title: Living Museums of Thailand: Exploring Floating Markets as Cultural Hubs for Lifelong Learning
Language: English
Authors: Dech-siri Nopas (ORCID 0009-0004-6183-4671)
Source: Journal of Adult and Continuing Education. 2026 32(1):10-33.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Retailing, Museums, Cultural Maintenance, Lifelong Learning, Experiential Learning, Community Involvement, Older Adults, Cultural Awareness, Place Based Education, Informal Education
Geographic Terms: Thailand
DOI: 10.1177/14779714241312648
ISSN: 1477-9714
1479-7194
Abstract: This study explores the role of floating markets in Thailand as informal educational environments, framing them as living museums that contribute significantly to cultural preservation and lifelong learning. Through a qualitative case study approach, involving 23 participants -- including market vendors, visitors, community leaders, and cultural experts -- the research examines how these markets facilitate experiential learning, cultural transmission, and social cohesion. The findings highlight the active involvement of community elders in preserving cultural practices and the challenges of balancing commercial and educational objectives within these spaces. The study reveals that floating markets offer rich, hands-on learning experiences that deepen visitors' understanding of Thai culture, fostering a sustained interest in cultural engagement. These markets also serve as vital venues for intergenerational learning, reinforcing community bonds and supporting the principles of lifelong learning. The research underscores the need for museum education programs to incorporate more experiential learning elements and engage cultural custodians in educational planning. It also suggests strategies for harmonizing commercial and educational goals to ensure the sustainability and impact of cultural heritage sites. This study contributes to the broader understanding of informal learning environments and their significance in promoting lifelong learning and cultural preservation.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499900
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Living Museums of Thailand: Exploring Floating Markets as Cultural Hubs for Lifelong Learning
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dech-siri+Nopas%22">Dech-siri Nopas</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6183-4671">0009-0004-6183-4671</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Adult+and+Continuing+Education%22"><i>Journal of Adult and Continuing Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 32(1):10-33.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retailing%22">Retailing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Museums%22">Museums</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Maintenance%22">Cultural Maintenance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lifelong+Learning%22">Lifelong Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experiential+Learning%22">Experiential Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Community+Involvement%22">Community Involvement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Older+Adults%22">Older Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Place+Based+Education%22">Place Based Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Informal+Education%22">Informal Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thailand%22">Thailand</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/14779714241312648
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  Data: 1477-9714<br />1479-7194
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  Data: This study explores the role of floating markets in Thailand as informal educational environments, framing them as living museums that contribute significantly to cultural preservation and lifelong learning. Through a qualitative case study approach, involving 23 participants -- including market vendors, visitors, community leaders, and cultural experts -- the research examines how these markets facilitate experiential learning, cultural transmission, and social cohesion. The findings highlight the active involvement of community elders in preserving cultural practices and the challenges of balancing commercial and educational objectives within these spaces. The study reveals that floating markets offer rich, hands-on learning experiences that deepen visitors' understanding of Thai culture, fostering a sustained interest in cultural engagement. These markets also serve as vital venues for intergenerational learning, reinforcing community bonds and supporting the principles of lifelong learning. The research underscores the need for museum education programs to incorporate more experiential learning elements and engage cultural custodians in educational planning. It also suggests strategies for harmonizing commercial and educational goals to ensure the sustainability and impact of cultural heritage sites. This study contributes to the broader understanding of informal learning environments and their significance in promoting lifelong learning and cultural preservation.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
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        Value: 10.1177/14779714241312648
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 24
        StartPage: 10
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Retailing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Museums
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Maintenance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lifelong Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experiential Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community Involvement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Older Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Place Based Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Informal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thailand
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Living Museums of Thailand: Exploring Floating Markets as Cultural Hubs for Lifelong Learning
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            NameFull: Dech-siri Nopas
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              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 1477-9714
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