Geopolitics and Security Landscape in the Indo-Pacific: Military Perspectives on Emerging Challenges and Regional Resilience
Military Perspectives on Strategic Competition and Regional Stability in the Indo-Pacific
Great-power rivalry, particularly between the United States and China, is reshaping the Indo-Pacific and placing greater pressure on regional security frameworks. China’s military modernisation and use of grey-zone tactics have heightened maritime tensions, while emerging domains such as cyber operations, information warfare, and advanced technologies are redefining defence planning. These dynamics challenge ASEAN’s capacity to deliver practical security outcomes, yet also underscore its role as a key platform for dialogue. For Thailand, this presents both risks and strategic opportunities. Adaptable defence priorities, stronger crisis-management mechanisms, and deeper cooperation with regional partners will be essential for maintaining resilience and navigating intensifying geopolitical competition.
Revisiting and Advancing Thailand's Foreign Policy towards the Indo-Pacific Strategy
A Regional Perspective with Closed-group Discussion
Foreign policy formulation has traditionally centred on the perspectives of policymakers operating at the national level. However, shifts in the global economic, political, and security order — particularly the intensifying strategic competition among great powers in Southeast Asia — have revealed multi-dimensional and multi-level impacts on the region. From the vantage point of the central government, foreign policy is developed based on an understanding of the goals and interests of these great powers. Consequently, there is a tendency to seek policy responses that uphold national interests and Thailand’s diplomatic stature. These policy approaches are often grounded in International Relations (IR) theories that prioritise state-centrism, where the state is treated as the principal unit of analysis. The theoretical inquiries within these frameworks largely revolve around how states should behave in the international system. However, when observed from a regional or local perspective, the consequences of great power rivalry manifest in more tangible and immediate ways in the daily lives of people in affected areas.
Open Government and Policy Innovation for Local Administration and Citizens
Preparation Workshop for 4th "OpenGov for Citizen": Participatory Marine Waste Management in the Estuarine Area
The Roadmap for Thai Bureaucratic Development (2023–2027) aims to transform Thailand’s public sector into a “Digital & Innovative Government” and an “Open Government.” The focus is on establishing a modern, trustworthy, and efficient administrative system that truly responds to the needs of the people. The Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC), as the main agency responsible for promoting open government and public participation, has studied and developed the model of an “Open Government and Meaningful Participation Ecosystem.” It is designed to enhance participation from all sectors in driving integrated and multidimensional public sector development. It comprises eight key components which are 1) Disclosure of government information 2) Policies and laws that support government openness 3) Partnership and collaboration networks 4) Incentive mechanisms 5) Knowledge and resource support 6) Development of technology, innovation, and infrastructure 7) Monitoring and evaluation and 8) Building an organizational culture
Promoting Social Market Economy in Thailand
From Principle to Practice
Closely tied to Germany’s post-war economic miracle, the Social Market Economy combines economic freedom with social equity and environmental sustainability. At its core, the state serves as a framework provider and rule setter, enabling individual freedom and responsibility. It intervenes only when necessary to safeguard fair competition and ensure that no one is left behind. Far from being outdated, this model remains highly relevant today and offers valuable guidance for Thailand’s journey toward sustainable growth.
Promoting Citizenship and Participation in Local Governance in Thailand
Workshop on Local Administration and Decentralisation
To appropriately promote democracy, citizens must first understand their rights and duties as citizens. This understanding is crucial for stable and sustainable democratic learning. Local governance plays a key role in this learning process due to its proximity and accessibility, making it easier for citizens to engage and follow developments compared to the national governance, which is still complex and distant.
Climate Change Hackathon 2025
The Transboundary Policy Challenges Ahead
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. The world is experiencing more frequent and severe droughts, floods, wildfires, rising sea levels, and a decline in biodiversity. In Thailand, these impacts are already being felt in the form of unpredictable weather patterns, water shortages, coastal erosion, and threats to agriculture and public health. According to the scientific consensus, as highlighted by the United Nations and leading climate organizations, global temperatures have risen by 1.1°C since the late 19th century. Without urgent action, the world is on track to exceed 2.7°C of warming by the end of this century, with devastating consequences for people and ecosystems.
Post-Election Political Analysis in the Federal Republic of Germany
Domestic Shifts and ASEAN-Thailand Implications
The Institute of Democratization Studies (IDS), in collaboration with the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University (CU), has expressed a substantive interest in analysing the political developments in Germany following its recent national general elections that took place in February 2025. In partnership with KAS Thailand, IDS and CU will convene a seminar that brings together renowned German and Thai scholars to provide critical and comparative perspectives on Germany’s post-election landscape.
The 2025 Chiang Mai Mayoral Election: Candidates, Campaigning, and Changes in Decentralisation
Research Presentation Forum
One key aspect of decentralization in Thailand is political decentralization through local elections. Municipal elections, particularly at the level of city municipalities, are significant and highly competitive. Chiang Mai Municipality holds historical significance as it was the first city municipality in Thailand, established in 1935. Regarding budget, the projected revenue for Chiang Mai Municipality from fiscal years 2023 to 2025 is 1.6 billion, 1.8 billion, and 1.9 billion baht, respectively. Given the budgetary significance of Chiang Mai Municipality and the involvement of national political parties in local elections, the research seeks to examine candidate selection processes, election campaigns, political family influence in Chiang Mai, and voter decision-making factors in the 2025 Chiang Mai mayoral election. This study aims to contribute to the broader understanding of political decentralization in Thailand.
Governance Innovation for Sustainable City Transformation
Innovation and Sustainability in Smart City Development
Explore policies, best practices, and cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of sustainable cities with top leaders and experts including Members of Parliament, country representatives, and local governance specialists.
Promoting Citizenship and Participation in Local Governance in Thailand
Workshop on Local Administration and Decentralisation
To appropriately promote democracy, citizens must first understand their rights and duties as citizens. This understanding is crucial for stable and sustainable democratic learning. Local governance plays a key role in this learning process due to its proximity and accessibility, making it easier for citizens to engage and follow developments compared to the national governance, which is still complex and distant.
Enhancement of Personnel’s Potential for Transition to and Implementation of e-Admincourt
Rule of Law Promotion
The 20-Year Master Plan of the Administrative Court (2018–2037) sets forth the vision of the Administrative Court to “Delivering administrative justice with fairness, efficiency, and modernity to promote good governance in society and to become a centre of excellence in administrative justice.” One of the key goals to be achieved by the end of fiscal year 2027 is for the Administrative Court to have a fully developed electronic administrative court system (e-Admincourt).
