Democracy in the dumps

Prior to the military coup in September 2006 that ousted former prime minister Thakin Shinawatra, Thailand appeared to be on the way to becoming one of the few consolidated democracies in Southeast Asia. The coup, however, opened up a period of unprecedented instability in Thailand.
Despite the holding of two elections since the coup, democracy in Thailand remains badly hobbled. On Friday, Chulalongkorn University’s political science faculty and McGill University in conjunction with Thailand Democracy Watch attempt to address these issues in public conference titled “Democracy and Crisis in Thailand”. It’s being held in the Chumpot Phantip Room of Prajadhipok Rambhai-Barni Building.
The conference will discuss the current crisis in Thailand’s democracy, the effect of the past two elections on the country’s democracy and try to explain the emergence of social movements supporting both the rural sector and the urban elite.
Benedict Anderson, a noted political scientist, historian and author best known for his work, “Imagined Communities”, will be the keynote speaker.
The conference will discuss these issues through three panels: democracy and elections, social movements, and democracy and monarchy. Panelists include academics from Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and Canada. The audience will comprise students, faculty, journalists, NGO activists, and diplomats.
For more information, e-mail [email protected], or call (085) 811 0287.

Day of democracy: the programme

9am: welcome speech by Supachai Yavaprabhas, dean, faculty of political science, followed by opening remarks from Erik Martinez Kuhonta, McGill University

9.15pm Keynote Speech: “Modern Monarchies in a Global Comparative Perspective” by Benedict Anderson, Cornell University

10.45am Panel 1- Elections and Democracy
Speakers: Yoshifumi Tamada, Kyoto University, Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, Chulalongkorn University and Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Chulalongkorn University

1.30pm Panel 2: Social Movements
Speakers:  Apichat Sathitniramai, Thammasat University, Pinkaew Laungaramsri, Chiang Mai University, Somchai Phatharathananunth, Maha Sarakham University

3.30pm Panel 3 Monarchy and Democracy 3.30-Speakers: David Streckfuss, independent scholar, Thongchai Winichakul, National University of Singapore/University of Wisconsin-Madison,  Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore