Thailand at a Crossroad: Challenges and Pathways to Democratic Reform
THAILAND STUDIES PROGRAMME
About the Hybrid Seminar
Despite indications that Thailand is ripe for further democratisation, signs of democratic backsliding have emerged. These include political co-optation aimed at safeguarding the power of conservative elites, the systemic use of judicial instruments to undermine party organisations and curb executive authority, and the resurgence of dynastic politics. This seminar will discuss what these developments mean for Thailand, the challenges they pose to democratic consolidation, and future strategies for achieving meaningful structural reforms.
About the Speaker
Pita Limjaroenrat is formerly a Member of Parliament of Thailand, leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, and its prime ministerial candidate in the May 2023 General Elections. Under his leadership, Move Forward won the most seats and the most votes, securing a plurality of 151 seats with the support of over 14 million voters. Despite this victory, Pita was blocked from becoming prime minister by the junta-appointed Senate and behind-the-scenes political maneuvering. On 7 August 2024, Thailand’s Constitutional Court dissolved the Move Forward Party and imposed a 10-year political ban on Pita and other party executives. Pita holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Thammasat University, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is now a Visiting Democracy Fellow at Harvard, where he is dedicated to sharing his experiences and working toward a brighter future for the next generation of leaders.
About the Discussant
Duncan McCargo is President’s Chair in Global Affairs at Nanyang Technological University and Associate Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. His books on Thai politics include the best-selling The Thaksinization of Thailand (co-authored, NIAS 2005), the award-winning Tearing Apart the Land: Islam and Legitimacy in Southern Thailand (Cornell 2008), and most recently Future Forward: The Rise and Fall of a Thai Political Party (co-authored, NIAS 2020).
Registration
This is a hybrid event which will be held at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS).
Attending the Event In-person at ISEAS
To join the event in-person at ISEAS, please register via the ISEAS mobile app, available on iOS and Android via the Apple or Play store. Search “ISEAS” to find or scan this QR code.
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Seating capacity is limited. Do register early to avoid disappointment.
Attending the Event Virtually via Webinar
To join the event virtually at the specified date and time using your internet devices, please register here to receive your unique login link for the webinar via the zoom platform.
If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.