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Everyone's invited. Join us online via Zoom by scanning the QR Code.
Job Vacancy : Lecturer in International Development Studies
We are seeking a motivated and committed individual to join the MAIDS-GRID program as a Lecturer. The responsibilities of the position are as follows:
Coordinate and teach core course “Research Methods”
Coordinate and teach two optional MA-level courses on topics related to international development studies that reflect your research experience
Coordinate and teach one PhD level seminar
Undertake administrative tasks related to your role in the MAIDS-GRID program (join weekly team meetings, assisting to organize fieldtrip and public events, etc.)
Join the committee of the Center of Excellence in Resource Politics for Social Development (www.csds-chula.org) to undertake research and publish one article in an international journal per year
Undertake other reasonable tasks as assigned by the MAIDS-GRID Program Director
The position offer a renewable two-year contract, with visa and work permit for Thailand. The offered salary level is based on the current Thai government regulations for an International Expert.
Qualifications:
Hold a PhD in a field of Social Science related to Development Studies
English Language competency as required by Chulalongkorn University
Expected competencies:
Committed to student-centered teaching at MA and PhD level, including the supervision of MA-level thesis
Motivated to undertake high quality research in the field of international development studies, and publish in international academic journals
Familiar with working in a multi-cultural environment
Strong English language skill
Examination methods:
Written examination: Qualified applicants will be asked to submit a written examination.
Interview: Applicants who passes written exam will be invited to an interview session.
Successful candidate must pass both written and interview exam.
Interested applicants must submit:
motivation letter (max 1 page, A4),
A short CV (max 4 pages),
List of Publications (If available),
Academic documents,
and contact details for two referees
Please submit these documents to application.maids@gmail.com with an email titled
“Lecturer 2020 – Your Lastname”
within 15 June 2020.
Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted.
MAIDS-GRID ranked Thailand's number 1 in Development Studies, and top 51-100 of the world by QS World University Rankings in 2020!
Chulalongkorn University is the best university in Thailand for 20 subjects in this year’s QS World University Ranking by Subject – more than any other university in Thailand.
On the world scale, Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University continues to make the cut in the world’s top 51-100 while four other subjects – Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Geography, and Politics and International Studies – perform strongly in the 2020 World Ranking’s 101-150 top tier.
In the broader subject area categories as outlined by this world-famous university ranking scheme, Chulalongkorn University also ranks first nationally in four out of five subject areas; namely, Arts & Humanities, Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences & Management. For Life Sciences & Medicine, Mahidol University tops the rank while Chulalongkorn comes in second.
According to Professor Surichai Wun’gaeo, professor emeritus and director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Chulalongkorn University, the exceptional performance of Development Studies at Chula (the university’s nickname) reflects more than ten years of efforts among converging forces at the university and exceptional advantage for Thailand to lead in the area.
“At Chula, we not only have a renowned international program in this area (Master of Arts in International Development Studies or MAIDS) but also several think tanks — Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Institute of Social Research, Center for Social Development Studies — and a network of scholars and researchers who have contributed to redefine Development Studies into a multi-disciplinary and transgressive area of learning,” said Professor Surichai.
He also added that by being situated in the heart of Southeast Asia and a location of headquarters for several leading international organizations, Thailand also benefits significantly from resources in development experiences. For more than a decade, Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University has constantly grown through collaboration, research and advocacy with this sector and the expanding civil society.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS: "Transdisciplinary Studies and Social Science: Co-Production of Knowledge Linking Academic and Non-Academic Actors" [19 July 2019]
Click below to access the proceedings.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: A New Global Network: What's Next of "The Turns" in International Relations and Development [22-23 November 2019]
A New Global Network: What’s Next of “The Turns” in International Relations and Development
Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), Chiang Rai, Thailand, 22-23 November 2019
CALL FOR ABSTRACT - The 6th International Conference on International Relations and Development (ICIRD) 2019
Sub-themes:
Risk, Vulnerability and Resilience: Disaster, Climate, Ecology and SDGs
Mobility: Human, Resources and Capital
Peace and Conflict, Transformation and Resistance
Media, Information ,Communication and Digital politics
Non Traditional Security
Governance: Public, Private and People Partnership
Human Rights
Gender, Chauvinism, Intersectionality
Resource grabbing
Green politics and green economy
Extremism, Ultra-Nationalism, Statism
Neoliberalism, Populism
Democracy and Authoritarianism
International Relations: Trans-boundary and Transnationalism
Great, Declined and Emerging Powers
Launched in 2010, the ICIRD Knowledge Network is a platform for academic cooperation among five of Thailand’s foremost providers of research and higher education, namely the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University, the Master of Arts program in International Development Studies (MAIDS), Chulalongkorn University, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), Mahidol University, the Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Chiang Mai University and the School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University.
Those who wish to present a paper are invited to submit an abstract of 300 words and a short biographical paragraph of 150 words (both in English) to email: icirdconference2019@gmail.com
For more information and inquiries, please contact:
Miss Maya Dania (Maya.Dan@mfu.ac.th)
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/icirdmfu2019/
JOB VACANCY: Announcing new Lecturer Position with MAIDS-GRID
UPCOMING PUBLIC SEMINAR: Great Walls: Journeys from Ideology to Experience... and Back Again with Filmmaker William Callahan
Join us for a film screening and discussion of Bill Callahan's "Great Walls: Journeys from Ideology to Experience... and Back Again"
Tuesday, 18 December
13.00-16.00
Saranites Room, Main Auditorium Chulalongkorn University
Please Register Here: https://goo.gl/forms/esOCCIfBWtpwnnW93
"Great Walls" examines the politics of walls by using the Great Wall of China to rethink both current border walls (the Trump Wall, the West Bank Barrier) and iconic walls (the Berlin Wall). It examines how walls serve as sites of ideology, both Cold War ideology and anti-immigrant ideology. It also examines how walls are sites of experience in every life by juxtaposing archive clips of political leaders and ethnographic film of ordinary people. The film utilizes walls to ask how personal experiences shape ideology and vice versa.
Discussants include:
Soravis Jayanama (Political Science)
Preeda Akarachantachote (Mass Communication)
Moodjalin Sudchareon (Arts)
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Pandit Chanrochanakit (Political Science)
UPCOMING PUBLIC SEMINAR: Running On Empty Book Discussion with Author Michael Molloy
On November 7 we will host a talk by Michael Molloy on his recently launched book, Running on Empty. The discussion is hosted in partnership with ARCM Thailand and the Canadian Embassy, with Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn and Professor Supang Chantavanich as discussants.
Date: November 7
Time: 9am - 11am
Place: Faculty of Political Science Building 3, 13th Floor
Michael Molloy is an honorary senior fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, a former Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, and was a senior coordinator of the Indochinese Refugee Task Force from 1979 to 1980.
Running on Empty presents the challenges and successes of the Canadian refugee resettlement effort following the 1975 fall of Saigon. This led to the 1976 Immigration Act, establishing new refugee procedures and introducing private refugee sponsorship which in 1979 saw the intake of an unprecedented 60,000 refugees. Running on Empty offers essential lessons for governments, organizations, and individuals trying to come to grips with refugee crises in the 21st century.
For inquiries, please contact: communications.maids@gmail.com
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS: Graduate Studies in the Disruptive Society: Innovation in Human Rights, Development Studies, and Resource Politics [12-13 July 2018]
Click here to view the proceedings.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: "Graduate Studies in the Disruptive Society: Innovation in Human Rights, Development Studies, and Resource Politics" [12-13 July 2018]
Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in International Development Studies (MAIDS-GRID), Chulalongkorn with Bachelor of Political Science Program in Politics and International Relations (BIR), Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University and Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific), Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), Mahidol University is arranging an International Conference on "Graduate Studies in the Disruptive Society: Innovation in Human Rights, Development Studies, and Resource Politics" on 12-13 July 2018 at Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.
Join the conference, please register here https://goo.gl/forms/Th4T4QxX7Jcxi4tJ3
UPCOMING PUBLIC LECTURE: "International Governance on Migration, Human Smuggling and EU Asylum System" [15 February 2018]
Date: Thursday, 15 February 2018
Time: 09.00 - 12.00 hrs.
Venue: Malai Huvanan Room, 12th floor, Building 3, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Co-Organized by MA & PhD in International Development Studies and Asian Research Center for Migration, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
Program
09.00 – 09.15 Registration
09.15 – 09.30 Welcome remarks by Moderator, Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Senior Researcher, Asian Research Center for Migration, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
09.30 – 10.30 Lecture by Mr. Anders Lisborg
10.30 – 10.45 Break
10.45 - 11.45 Lecture by Mr. Jerrold W. Huguet, Visiting Lecturer, MAIDS-GRID Program
11.45 – 12.00 Q & A Session
Free admission: Please RSVP at http://bit.ly/2FukGJN
JOB VACANCY: "Program Coordinator" [Now until 9 February 2017]
MA & PhD Program in International Development Studies (MAIDS-GRID)
Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
is now seeking for a new member of our team who is an active and service-minded person to work as a full-time
"Program Coordinator (Academic Affairs Officer)"
Start Date: March 2018
Qualifications
1. Thai nationality
2. Bachelor's or Master's degree in any field
3. Average command of written and spoken English language
4. Competent communication and computer skills; ready to move forward the program's development
5. Eager to learn new things, service-minded and detail-oriented with ability to follow-up
6. Well-acquainted with international cultures, inter-cultural understanding and foreign mentality
7. Familiar with working in a governmental institution environment
8. Ability to multi-task and be able to determine priorities and able to work independently andas part of a team
Job Description
1. Coordinating with lecturers for class schedule, course syllabus, and reading materials 2.Providing academic consultation service to MA & PhD students in the program 3.Coordinating and planning with external organizations for hosting international conferences, workshops, and academic field visits
4. Supervising program's quality assurance 5. Working with the Program Director and the Faculty in order to plan and organize the program's strategic policy and management
6. Preparing the orientation for new batch’s students in every year intake
7. Advising students about the university’s academic system such as registration process, course adding and withdrawal process; and tuition and program fees’ payment process
8. Arranging international activities within the program and with other partners and potential partners such as seminars, workshops, public lectures, etc.
9. Uploading activities and posting program’s activities on our channels such as website, Facebook, etc.
10. Facilitating the smooth landing visits for visiting international lecturers and researchers
11. Other tasks assigned by the Program’s Board of Executives
How to Apply?
1. Cover letter
2. CV / Resume with the names and contact information of two professional referees
***The application must be submitted to maidschula@gmail.com
before 9 February, 2017***
***ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED***
More Information: Tel: 02-218-7313 E-mail: maidschula@gmail.com www.MAIDS-Chula.org
UPCOMING PUBLIC LECTURE: "Migration Management Roundtable: Experience from the United States" by Professor Eduardo Capulong [18 Jan 2018)
09.00 - 12.00 hrs.
Alumni Association Conference Room, 12th floor, Political Science Building 3, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Co-organized by
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and Embassy of the United States, Bangkok and Blewett III School of Law,
University of Montana and The Maureen & Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana
Co-hosted by
Asian Research Center for Migration, Institute of Asian Studies; MA & PhD Programs in International Development Studies;
and MA Program in Governance, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Migration management of migrant workers and refugees is one of the issues many countries talk about. Migrations along borders have been continually happening. However, significant controls ex. By passport or by visa happened when countries were developed to modern state. We can see big migrations after the war since World War II when the Jewish tried to flee from genocide. Human rights and humanitarian reason support the migration to developed countries ex. USA or Scandinavian counties in Europe.
USA is one among other countries that migrants wish they could go for better life with their open policy that allow foreigners with some specific conditions to resettle in the country and to apply for citizenship. Migrants who travelled to the USA may be originally from their origin country of from the country they temporarily stayed before. There are many reasons that could cause the migration ex. problems about political opinion, war between each euthenics, religious issues, etc. In USA, there is a Department of Homeland Security[1] who screens and makes decision of those who apply to stay in the country. Also, there is a United State Department of Labor[2] who is a main agency to manage migrant workers who come to work in the US.
Definitions of refugee and migrant worker are different. However, both refugee and migrant worker move from their country to stay in another country with some problem in their home country. Migrant worker migrates for economic reason and to find a better life when refugee flees from their home country because of persecution(s). Once they arrive in the US, both of them will be brought into a system that aims to protect their lives and their human rights under. We will also talk about the New York Declaration of the United Nations (UN) which is related to our topic, migration management roundtable: case study: USA. We hope that this roundtable will open a space to discuss and share thoughts on migration management system in a developed country.
[1] https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/refugees-asylees
*Free admission. Please RSVP at http://bit.ly/2AkEX1X
UPCOMING SEMINAR: "Job Security and Human Skills in the Age of Automation" [15 November 2017]
Time: 08.30 - 13.00 hrs.
Venue: Alumni Conference Room, 12th Floor, Political Science Building 3, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
The rise of robotics and automation is becoming evident in Asia. According to the International Federation of Robotics, by 2019, more than 1.4 million new industrial robots will be installed in factories around the world, with China being the strongest growing market for the robotics
industry.
A recent study by International Labor Organization suggests that over 70% of salaried workers in 5 key sectors in ASEAN countries are at risk of being displaced by automation. The study also points out the need to upgrade STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills among workers in general. Cloud technology and big data analytics,
Internet of Things, and digital marketing are also highlighted to have transformative impacts on jobs in ASEAN.
The roundtable discussion will focus on the above issues and university’s task of preparing young students to cope with the future. Given the state of the Thailand policies on economy, education and development, the question then arises: what actions could be taken at the state, university and individual levels to prepare students in order to cope with this new
reality.
Program
08.30 – 09.00 Registration
09.00 – 09.10 Welcome Remarks by Kasira Cheeppensook, PhD, Deputy Director, Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
09.10 – 09.20 Objective Remarks by Ms. Sukajit Srisukon, Project Consultant, Samsung Smart Learning Center
09.20 – 09.30 Opening Remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ake Tangsupvattana, Dean, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
09.30 – 09.50 Mr. Phu Huynh, ILO Employment Specialist and Co-author of “ASEAN in Transformation: How Technology is Changing Jobs and Entreprises”
09.50 – 10.00 Coffee Break
10.00 – 12.00 Roundtable Discussion on “Job Security and Human Skills in the Age of Automation”
- Discussants Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nualnoi Treerat, Director, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
- Assoc. Prof. Lae Dilokvidhyarat, Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University
- Supot Tiarawut, PhD, Director, Industrial Liaison Program, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University
- Mr. Varit Charunyanonda, Senior Manager, Brand Communication, Thai Samsung Electronics Company Limited
- Moderated by Assist. Prof. Jakkrit Sangkamanee, PhD, Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
12.00 – 12.25 Q & A
12.25 – 12.30 Closing Remarks by Assist. Prof. Dr. Naruemon Thabchumpon, Director, MA & PhD Programs in International Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University (MAIDS-GRID)
12.30 – 13.00 Lunch
*Simultaneous translation will be provided.
Register at http://bit.ly/2gy5MrS
For more information,
please contact 02-218-7313
Email: maidschula@gmail.com
PUBLIC LECTURE: "Rethinking the Nature/Culture Divide: Public Lecture by Prof. Philippe Descola" [10 November 2017]
Rethinking the Nature/Culture Divide: Public Lecture by Prof. Philippe Descola
Date: November 10 th 2017
Time 13.00-16.00 PM
Venue : Saranitet Conference Room, 2nd floor, Main Auditorium, Chulalongkorn University
This event is co-organized by the Collège de France, the Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University, the Siamese Association of Sociologists and Anthropologists, (SASA), the French Embassy of Thailand
The Institut de Recherche sur l'Asie du Sud-Est Contemporaine (IRASEC) and Center for Social Development Studies (CSDS), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University are glad to welcome you to a public lecture at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok by Philippe DESCOLA, Professor at Collège de France, Chair in Anthropology of Nature
Rethinking the Nature/Culture Divide
Notions such as ‘nature’ or ‘culture’ are the product of a particular historical process and express the specific distribution of ontological properties to beings in the world that the Moderns have devised. Other civilizations have adopted other systems of distribution, resulting in ontologies and principles of association between humans and non humans that differ widely from the one which emerged in Europe a few centuries ago. The challenge for the social sciences is to acknowledge this diversity, while retaining the ambition to explain it in non Eurocentric terms.
Discussants:
- Dr. Yukti MUKDAWIJITRA (Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University)
- Thanes WONGYANNAWA (Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University)
JOB VACANCY: "Program Coordinator" [Now until 10 November 2017]
MA & PhD Program in International Development Studies (MAIDS-GRID)
Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
is now seeking for a new member of our team who is an active and service-minded person to work as a full-time
"Program Coordinator (Academic Affairs Officer)"
Start Date: January 2018
Qualifications
1. Thai nationality
2. Bachelor's or Master's degree in any field
3. Average command of written and spoken English language
4. Competent communication and computer skills; ready to move forward the program's development
5. Eager to learn new things, service-minded and detail-oriented with ability to follow-up
6. Well-acquainted with international cultures, inter-cultural understanding and foreign mentality
7. Familiar with working in a governmental institution environment
8. Ability to multi-task and be able to determine priorities and able to work independently andas part of a team
Job Description
1. Coordinating with lecturers for class schedule, course syllabus, and reading materials 2.Providing academic consultation service to MA & PhD students in the program 3.Coordinating and planning with external organizations for hosting international conferences, workshops, and academic field visits
4. Supervising program's quality assurance 5. Working with the Program Director and the Faculty in order to plan and organize the program's strategic policy and management
6. Preparing the orientation for new batch’s students in every year intake
7. Advising students about the university’s academic system such as registration process, course adding and withdrawal process; and tuition and program fees’ payment process
8. Arranging international activities within the program and with other partners and potential partners such as seminars, workshops, public lectures, etc.
9. Uploading activities and posting program’s activities on our channels such as website, Facebook, etc.
10. Facilitating the smooth landing visits for visiting international lecturers and researchers
11. Other tasks assigned by the Program’s Board of Executives
Salary
16,500++ Baht (depending on experiences)
How to Apply?
1. Cover letter
2. CV / Resume with the names and contact information of two professional referees
***The application must be submitted to maidschula@gmail.com
before November 30, 2017***
***ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED***
More Information: Tel: 02-218-7313 E-mail: maidschula@gmail.com www.MAIDS-Chula.org
UPCOMING SEMINAR: "Water and the Neighborhood" [21-23 August 2017]
09.00 - 17.00
Alumni Conference Room, 12th Floor, Building 3, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
UPCOMING SPECIAL LECTURE: "Three Keys Issues in the New International Trade Landscape for South East Asia" by Julia Nielson (23 August 2017)
MA Program in International Development Studies (MAIDS), Faculty of Political Science and Institute of Asian Studies (IAS), Chulalongkorn University
Cordially invite you to the special talk on
"Three Keys Issues in the New International Trade Landscape for South East Asia"
by Julia Nielson, Head of Development Division, Trade and Agriculture Directorate, OECD
23 August 2017
9.30 – 11.00 hrs.
Room 307, 3rd floor of Prajadhipok- Rambhai Barni building, Chulalongkorn University
As a member of the OECD Trade and Agriculture, Directorate’s senior management team, Ms Nielson supports the Director in delivering the strategic orientations of the Secretary General to advance the implementation of OECD advice in members and partner countries in the areas of trade and agriculture and to ensure effective engagement with stakeholders and partners both inside and outside the Organisation, including major emerging economies. Specifically, Ms. Nielson leads the work at the interface of trade, agriculture and development policies by providing evidence-based policy advice on a range of policy issues, including trade facilitation, global value chains, the digitalisation of economy and society (DES), agricultural policy reviews for developing countries, food security and risk management. She recently led the Trade Directorate's work on responding to the anti-trade backlash.
Ms. Nielson has over 20 years' experience in multilateral trade and development, strategy and management. She previously worked for the World Bank Group (WBG) as acting Director for Multilateral engagement, with responsibility for the G20, G7, multilateral development banks and the OECD; coordinator for a senior management task force on future financing of the WBG; and acting Director of the WBG's Europe office, managing relations with European shareholders, the OECD, and the French G20 presidency. Prior to that, she worked in the office of the then-President of the WBG, Bob Zoellick
Schedule
9:30-9:35 Opening speech by Dr. Sukanda Lewis, Deputy Director of Reserch, IAS
9:35-10:35 Presentation "Three key issues in the new international trade landscape for
South East Asia" by Julia Nielson
10:35-10:50 Q&A
10:50-11:00 "the OECD's online knowledgebase for academic research" byAtsushi Higuchi
11:00 Closing of the event
For reservation, please call 02-218-7409 or inform your detail at Thitikarn.p@chula.ac.th
UPCOMING PUBLIC SEMINAR: "The New Decree on Management of Alien Employment 2560 B.E. and Its Impact: Discussion by the Government and Private Sector" [21 July 2017]
09.00 - 12.00
Alumni Conference Room, 12th Floor, Building 3, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Co-organized by The Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) of the Institute of Asian Studies (IAS), Chulalongkorn University and the Master of Arts Program in International Development Studies (MAIDS), Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SESSION: "Thailand's Overseas Investment in Southeast Asia and Transnational (In) Justice" [16 July 2017]
Session organized at the 13th International Conference on Thai Studies
"Globalized Thailand?" Connectivity, Conflict, and Conundrums of Thai Studies
15:15-16:45, 16th July 2017, Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center
Session convened by the Center for Social Development Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Thailand’s companies have become major investors in neighboring countries, including in agribusiness, hydropower, mining and various forms of industry. Thailand’s companies are backed by government policy, and typically financed by Thai commercial banks as well as, sometimes, Thailand’s Export Import Bank (Thai Exim). Thailand’s regional investment has furthermore been facilitated by various regional economic integration programs, including the Asian Development Bank’s Greater Mekong Subregion Program and more recently the ASEAN Economic Community. As one of the major economies of mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand has sought to positioned itself as central to economic regionalization. Given that Thailand itself is embedded within a wider global network of production, its companies’ investment in neighboring countries’ resource extraction and commodity production can also tied to a wider global political economy.
Whilst it seems that investment, commodities, goods and natural resources flow readily across borders, the same cannot be said of access to justice. In this panel, empirical case studies will be presented of Thailand’s cross-border investments that have in the process resulted in environmental and social harms, and in some cases violated human rights. The panel explores the various processes and arenas that have emerged as communities and civil society have sought redress and access to justice. These arenas have included in the national courts of the project host country, but also through various formal and informal cross-border processes that link to Thailand, including via Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission (TNHRC), and in one example a case ruled upon by Thailand’s administrative court. Meanwhile, a report of the TNHRC on the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Myanmar led to a Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommendation in March 2016 that the government should set up a mechanism for the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for Thai companies investing overseas. Thus, a wider array of international norms is also brought into play, reflecting the legal pluralism that nowadays governs cross-border investments. This also brings into focus a question of the extra-territorial obligations of Thailand with regard to the investment of Thai companies.
This panel will critically evaluate Thailand’s investment role in the region through the lens of transnational social and environmental justice. Through empirical case studies on agribusiness, hydropower and special economic zones, the political economy of these investments will be explored in order to understand the production of injustice and human rights violations. The papers will ask: what are the roles, opportunities and challenges for public interest law, national/ regional human rights institutions, other transnational soft law mechanisms, and civil society to protect and promote human rights on Thailand’s investments?
- Paper 1: Accountability Beyond the State: Extra territorial obligations in the case of the Koh Kong Sugar Industry Concession, Cambodia by Michelle D’cruz
- Paper 2: Redressing transboundary environmental injustice at the Dawei Special Economic Zone and Roadlink Project by Naruemon Thabchumpon
- Paper 3: Arenas of Water Justice on Transboundary Rivers: Human Rights and Hydropower Dams on the Salween and Mekong Rivers by Carl Middleton
Discussant: Walden Bello.
Abstracts can be downloaded here. Conference details are available here.