As Thais will go to the polls on March 24, 2019—for the first time since the military toppled a civilian government in May 2014—uncertainties continue to loom for Thailand’s democratic future. On the one hand, we can witness democratic rejuvenation, but on the other hand, we can also observe various attempts by the military government to maintain power. This presentation will situate Thai democracy in relation to ongoing struggles within the political class, and to a changing Thai society. Doing so, it will address the following questions: (1) What are the obstacles facing political parties in this political transition? (2) Has Thai politics moved beyond the Red versus Yellow division? And (3) What would be the legacy of the current military government on future governments and Thailand’s democracy?

Speaker Bio

Supanai Sookmark is an adjunct professor at Carleton’s Department of Political Science, where she focuses her research and teaching on the political economy of monetary and financial policy of Thailand, global finance and developing countries, and global governance and regionalism. She also works as a consultant for the Thai embassy in Ottawa promoting Thailand–Canada research collaboration, and is an avid follower of Thai politics. Dr. Sookmark holds a PhD from Carleton University, an M.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a B.A. from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.

Two parking lots are available just northwest across George street.

Please note that the outside door to the Institute on Governance gets locked in the evening, therefore we ask that you make sure that you arrive on time.

RSVP:
There is no charge to attend this event but we ask that you RSVP in advance with Vincent Lacroix-Cuerrier at v.lacroix.cuerrier@gmail.com