On October 25, 2024, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University, in collaboration with the Peace and Justice Academic Network, organized an online academic forum titled “Concerns on the Southern Border Situation in the Tak Bai Case: Hopes for Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation.” The event began with welcoming remarks and an explanation of the forum’s objectives by Asst. Prof. Dr. Padtheera Narkurairattana, a faculty member at the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, delivered via Zoom.
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The event featured a statement by the Peace and Justice Network read by Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Yahprung, faculty member at the Faculty of Political Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, followed by an academic discussion on “Concerns, Hopes, and Pathways to Justice and Reconciliation.” The speakers included Associate Prof. Dr. Siwach Sripokangkul, a researcher specializing in transitional justice and reconciliation at the College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Sorayut Iam-Uayuth, author of “Malay Muslims’ Sentiments” and a lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University; Dr. Chanchai Chaisukkosol, an independent facilitator working on healing processes for victims of deadly violence and manager of the Unarmed Civilian Protection project; and Ms. Naree Jareonponpiriya, former member of the Independent Commission for National Reconciliation. The forum was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Padtheera Narkurairattana.
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The purpose of the forum was to create a platform for exploring ways to guide Thai society out of cycles of injustice, state-perpetrated human rights violations, and to restore trust between citizens and state mechanisms, as well as among citizens themselves. The forum emphasized the importance of these issues to the network of peace, justice, and human rights scholars. It aimed to invite various societal sectors to reflect, learn from international experiences, and apply these insights to support Thai society in moving forward with empathy and mutual understanding.
