2005 Thailand Update Conference
Program and
photos
for the 2005 Thailand Update Conference.
The
National Thai Studies Centre at ANU presents
THAILAND
UPDATE
Monday
26 September 2005
University
House, ANU
The overall theme of the
conference is “Thailand: Facing South – TAFTA, elections, security
and regional issues”. In
an eventful past year security problems in the south, and the tsunami in
December, forced Thailand to modify traditional preoccupations with
Bangkok-centred politics and a foreign policy that looked to the
countries of Indochina, Burma, East Asia and the West.
Domestically, security issues and the tsunami were at the centre
of national politics; in the February general elections the ruling Thai
Rak Thai won an overwhelming mandate, but the fourteen provinces in the
south proved the exception – the TRT won only one of 54 seats.
Southern problems forced the government to give greater international
focus to relations with Malaysia and Indonesia. And separately, Thailand
also looked south to Australia to conclude its first Free Trade
Agreement (TAFTA) with a developed country.
The keynote speaker will
be Mr Kavi Chongkittavorn (from The Nation), who will discuss the
implications of events in the south for foreign policy.
Mr Kavi is Thailand’s foremost journalist on international
affairs, as well as being a leading commentator and advocate on media
issues. Other presentations
will include
- an overview of the economy during the past year by
Professor Medhi Krongkaew (National Institute for Development
Administration, Bangkok). Professor
Medhi is one of one of Thailand’s most respected economists.
A former visiting research fellow at the ANU, he has written
dozens of articles on a wide range of Thai economic issues,
particularly poverty. He
is also a member of numerous government advisory bodies.
- an analysis of political conflict in the south by
Professor Duncan McCargo (Leeds University). Professor McCargo’s publications include Chamlong
Srimuang and the New Thai Politics (1997), Reforming Thai
Politics (edited, 2001), and Politics and the Press in
Thailand (2000).
- an overview of politics by Dr Sripan Rattikalchalakorn
(Macquarie University). Her
recent publications have focused on the 1997/8 economic crisis,
including socio-political implications.
- the February general elections by Dr Bill Case
(Griffith University). Dr
Case is the author of, amongst others, Politics in Southeast
Asia: Democracy or Less (2002).
The
Issue of the Tsunami – which in December devastated six
southern provinces, killing thousands (including 22 Australians) –
will also be addressed as a related but stand alone seminar in October
(date to be advised). Khunying
Dr Porntip Rojanasunand, Deputy Director of the Forensic Science
Institute in the Ministry of Justice, Thailand’s top forensic doctor
and one of its most outstanding public servants, will recount her
experiences of the tsunami and address lessons for the future.
(Khunying Porntip had been scheduled to present on the 27
September, but has been called to join a Thai team sent to assist in the
US gulf disaster.)
The NTSC is grateful for financial assistance
supporting the Update from the Australia-Thailand Institute
