Thailand Update Conference 2007

 University House, Australian National University

(Cnr Balmain Cr & Liversidge St, ANU)

 

Friday 31 August 2007

 

Thailand’s Twin Crises: Restoring Democracy, and Violence in the South

Program

Summary of Presentations

Thailand's 2007 Constitution and Re-emerging Democracy: Will Political Polarization Continue?,  Professor Suchit Bunbongkarn

Photos

 

For some two years Thailand has had successive crises, initiated by mass opposition to the rule of Prime Minister Thaksin, then the military coup on 21 September 2006, and subsequent attempts to restore democracy. Alongside this, and to some extent influencing the disquiet in Bangkok, has been a sustained period of violence in the Muslim south, an area that has become the main arena of terrorism and conflict in Southeast Asia.
 

The NTSC has had a focus on both these conflicts, in a series of regular seminars and in recent Update conferences. With the process of establishing a constitution facilitating a return to democratic rule almost complete – a draft constitution is scheduled to be put to a referendum on 19 August – it is indeed timely to conduct a detailed look at the direction of political change in Thailand. At the same time violence in the south has reached new heights in recent months. The conference will include regular political and economic overviews of the past twelve months. There will also be a keynote address and other presentations on such topics as:
 

• The objectives of the current constitution

• The role of the military in directing reform, and the future military role after elections (including the role of the proposed Internal Security Act)

• The role of political parties, civil society and independent institutions under the next constitution

• The impact of political uncertainty on business, particularly the foreign sector

• In the south, why has the conflict persisted and even intensified since the coup against former Prime Minister Thaksin?

•  How can the southern conflict be resolved – does the National Reconciliation Commission report offer a way out?
   

Presenters will include Professors Bhanuphong Nidhiprabha and Chairat Charoensin-o-larn, both from Thammasat University’s Economic and Political Science Faculties respectively; Dr Andrew Walker, ANU; Glen Robinson, ASEAN Focus Group; and Suleemarn Wongsuphap, Anthropology and Politics, LaTrobe University.
 

Related seminars will also be held on “Human Rights Governance Under Thailand's New Constitution” by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn (Law Faculty, Chulalongkorn University) on 6 August; and “Untying the Gordian Knot? The Difficulties in Solving Southern Violence” by Professor Chaiwat Satha-Anand (Political Science Faculty, Thammasat University). 
 

Fuller details of the conference and related seminars will soon be available here. Bookings can be made online immediately.
 

Registration costs are $45 (including GST) and $15 for students/concessions, which includes a light lunch and refreshments.
 

The NTSC is grateful for financial assistance supporting the Update from the Australia-Thailand Institute and Thammasat University.