Thai Studies Presentation at DFAT

The Thai Studies conference was a real hit in 2011 and we need to thank our key sponsor, the Australia-Thailand Institute for financial and technical supports.

In November, I was invited by DFAT and ATI to give a brief presentation on Thai studies conference to the public. The function was well-attended by a number of key people from the Royal Thai embassy, the ATI and DFAT.

His Excellency Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree (Thai Ambassador to Australia) addresses the gathering

Dr Nattavud Pimpa (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) presents details of his ATI supported grant project with the gathering

His Excellency Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree (Thai Ambassador to Australia) and Mr Bill Patterson (Ambassador for Counter Terrorism, and former Australian Ambassador to Bangkok, Dec 04-Jul 08)

Ms Vanessa Wood (Director, ATI Secretariat), His Excellency Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree (Thai Ambassador to Australia) and Mr Jeremy Hanson, MLA (Member for Molonglo)

Mr Mike Courtnall, Chair of the Australia Thailand Institute addresses the gathering

Mr Nick Stewart (Canberra Times), Mr Kirk Conningham (Leighton Holdings) and Mr Jeremy Hanson, MLA (Member for Molonglo)

Mr Justin Scarr (Royal Surf Life Saving Society Australia) and Ms Tarina Rubin (Program Manager, SwimSafe Thailand) present details of their ATI supported grant project with the gathering

Mr Bassim Blazey (Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Bilateral Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) with Mr Stephen Cutting and Ms Lucie Cutting (ATI grant recipients)

Pictures from the 1st Thai Studies Conference (2)

The second day of the conference was held at RMIT University (Storey Hall) and the key themes of the day included business and management in Thailand and language and culture. A number of presenters attended the conference on the second day at RMIT University.

Khun Chaimongkol from RMIT University

Khun Suteepon from Monash University

James Wei from the University of Melbourne

Pictures from the conference

The inaugural Thai studies conference was a great success! Over 50 participants from different countries attended the conference at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne. Our keynote speakers, Prof. Pongpaijit and Dr. Baker delivered an interesting lecture on the future of Thailand after the 2011 election. These are some photos from the conference.

Our Keynote speaker, Prof. Pasuk Pongpaijit

Marc Askew from the University of Melbourne

Nattavud Pimpa from RMIT University

Christopher Joll from the University of Victoria

Sunsanee Chanarnuparb from Thaksin University

Event at the Conference: Book Launch by Professor Pasuk Pongpaijit and Dr. Chris Baker

One of the key events at the Thai Studies conference is the launch of "Khun Chang Khun Phaen" (ขุนช้างขุนแผน ฉบับแปล) by our keynote speaker Prof. Pongpaijit and Dr.Baker. The following part has been published in Bangkok Post 0n 24/11/10

From 'Khun Phaen flees with Wanthong' by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit

Now everything's a disaster. I left my home to come and sleep in the wild where there are no lights, only the moon, no roof, only the shade of a tree.

Oh, the misfortune of being born a woman! I should be happy, but I cannot be. I went astray in love's pleasures without thinking of shame. Because I wasn't strong-willed, I now suffer.

It's a waste to have beautiful looks, a pretty name, and a gentle manner if you have a terribly wicked heart. The good in me is the best in the land; the bad, nobody can match.

I can't be angry at Khun Phaen. Out of love he had the nerve to come after me, and spirit me off to the forest, unafraid of the clamour of a court case. He offered his life in exchange for me, Wanthong.

I can't quit now. I have to go with him. Whether I die is down to fortune.

(Source: Bangkok Post, Outlook Section, Beyond the letters, Vasana Chinvarakorn, 22/11/2010, link)

Khun Chang Khun Phaen - a Thai epic poem and one of the most important works in Thai literature, a story of a love triangle that ends in tragedy, originates in a folktale that was written down for the first time in the early 1800s, the story runs as follows:

"Khun Phaen (dashing but poor) and Khun Chang (rich but ugly) compete for the lovely Wanthong from childhood for over fifty years. Their contest involves two wars, several abductions, a suspected revolt, an idyllic sojourn in the forest, two court cases, trial by ordeal, jail, and treachery. Ultimately the king condemns Wanthong to death for failing to choose between the two men. The poem was written down in the early nineteenth century, and a standard printed edition first published in 1917–1918. Like many works with origins in popular entertainment, it is fast-moving and stuffed full with heroism, romance, sex, violence, rude-mechanical comedy, magic, horror, and passages of lyrical beauty. In Thailand, the story is universally known. Children learn passages at school, and the poem is a source of songs, popular sayings, and everyday metaphors."

2011 Conference Program

The Conference Program can be accessed at:

http://www.2shared.com/document/SFxhZ8Sm/Thai_Studies_Conference_Progra.html

The first day of the conference is 11 August but you are welcome to join the speech by Khun Meechai Viravaidhaya on Wednesday 10th August.

Keynote Speaker: Professor Phasuk Phongpaichit

Professor Pasuk Phongpaichit will be the keynote speaker for this conference. She is one of the most outstanding economists, authors and anti-corruption campaigners currently working in the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand

In 1965 she received a scholarship to study at Monash completing her bachelors and masters degrees before gaining a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge.

With a reputation as one of Asia's most courageous and outspoken scholars, her research into the Thai illegal economy over the past decade has shown how institutional corruption and intimidation affect the lives of the poor and the Thai economy.

Professor Phongpaichit has been a member of the Working Committee on Good Governance; a member of the Board of the Institute of Labour Studies, International Labour Organisation, Geneva; an advisor to the Open University Programme for Workers; and a consultant to the World Bank.

She is a member of Thailand's Counter-Corruption Commission and has held teaching posts at the University of Cambridge and Johns Hopkins University in the US.

Her work with Dr. Chris Baker (in the photo) include A History of Thailand, Thaksin, Thailand's crisis etc.

Call for Papers - Thai Studies Conference in Melbourne

Thainess: Thailand at the Crossroads

11-12 August 2011

Hosted at RMIT University in partnership with the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne and sponsored by the Royal Thai Embassy.

Thailand retains its significance in the region as one of the key players in the global political-economy and contemporary culture. Thailand has been in the media limelight over last 5 years, due to its drastic political and economic challenges. Like all countries in South East Asia, a number of global factors affect domestic situations in Thailand. Thailand has been challenged by globalisation, a worldwide phenomenon that touches every aspect of human life from cradle to cremation. Science and technology, economic developments, information technology and media, tourism, consumerism, global climate change and financial crisis: all are globalised phenomena that affect Thailand. How Thailand handles the influences of globalisation,, that range from materialism to militarism and terrorism, is a subject of major concern for students of Thai Studies.

At the 10th International conference on Thai Studies at Thammasat University in Bangkok (9-11 January 2008), the key question of the conference was what the effect of a transnationalised world on modern Thailand is. Yet, a transnationalised world can refer also to a world where the distortion of truth, ideological domination and censorship by the state are the norms and not the exceptions. Questions on “Thai Identity” or “Thainess” and the way it affects social, political and organisational factors remain unanswered in contemporary Thailand.

It is important, from the academic view, that the studies of Thailand in terms of social, political, economic and institutional development are continuously undertaken and disseminated by scholars who are interested in Thailand from various angles.

As an active global player in business and management education in the Asia Pacific, RMIT University’s business college will host this important conference in Melbourne. This conference will offer the fruits of academic researches to help alleviate the suffering caused by the impact of poor understanding of contemporary Thai state and society. It will also serve as a forum of discussion among scholars and members of the Thai community in Australia.

This conference will also serve as an academic platform to discuss various issues that reflect upon the value of Thainess, and what it means for modern Thailand and scholars in Thai studies in Australia


Conference Sub- Themes:

A) Politics and Governance in Thailand
B) Business and Management in Thailand
C) Media, Technology and ICT in Thailand
D) Thai Language, Society and Culture

Submission Guidelines:

- Abstracts are welcome!!

- Though submissions relating to the major theme of the Thai Studies Conference are encouraged, papers can deal with other issues relating to the broad topic of contemporary Thailand, Thai society and business. The papers may be grounded in any major Thai Studies disciplines including business, politics, culture, history, education, policy and governance in Thailand. Conceptual, theory building, or empirical papers from the above disciplines are welcome.

- All submissions must be original and should not have been previously accepted for publication in a journal or be under review at another conference.

- All papers will be blind reviewed. Accepted papers will be assigned to paper or interactive paper sessions by the Program Chair. Papers presented at the conference will be published in the CD proceedings of the conference.

- Papers should be prepared and presented in English. There is no page limit but contributors are encouraged to limit their paper to less than or equal to 10 pages (A4 paper, font 12, double spacing with margins of 1 inch) including the cover page, abstract, text, references, table and figures.
- As least one of the authors must register before the deadline of registration, attend and present the paper in the conference. Otherwise, the paper will not be included in the conference program and proceedings.


Abstract can be submitted directly to the Convener at
Nattavud.pimpa@rmit.edu.au




Schedule for submissions and registrations:

1 April- 15 June 2011 : Call for Papers/Abstracts
15 July 2011 : Deadline for submission of papers
22 July 2011 : Notification of Acceptance/Rejection
1 June - 30 July 2011 : Registration (send your request to the convener)
11-12 August 2011 : Conference Period



Academic and Social Panel discussions:


This conference will include one panel discussion on “Thailand and Australia.” The panel will investigate various aspects of Thais in Australia, Thailand in the eyes of Australian media and relationship between both countries. More information will be updated.


Peer-Reviewed Panel Members:

Professor Brian Corbitt
Deputy PVC, Business Research, RMIT University

Professor Pookong Kee
Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Associate Professor Paul Battersby
RMIT University

Dr. Nattavud Pimpa
RMIT University

Dr. Suradech Choti –udompan
Chulalongkorn University

Dr. Pimrawee Rojroongsak
Rajabhat Petchaburi University

Dr. Sopha Coles
The Thai Language School of Melbourne Inc.


Conference Convenor:

Dr. Nattavud Pimpa, (Senior Lecturer, School of Management)
RMIT University
Nattavud.pimpa@rmit.edu.au
+61 3 99251531
0432011453

Thai Studies Conference in Melbourne

Thai Studies Conference in Melbourne
Thai Studies Conference
Thainess: Thailand at the Crossroads
RMIT University
11-12 August 2011


Call for Papers:

Thailand remains its significance in the region as one of the key players in the global political-economy and contemporary culture. Thailand has been in the media limelight in the last 5 years, due to its drastic political and economic challenges. Like all countries in South East Asia, a number of global factors affect domestic situations in Thailand. Thailand has been challenged by globalisation, a worldwide phenomenon that touches every aspect of human life from cradle to cremation. Science and technology, economic developments, information technology and media, tourism, consumerism, global climate change and financial crisis: all are globalised phenomena that affect Thailand. How Thailand handles the influences of globalisation that ranges from materialism to militarism and terrorism is a subject of major concerns for students of Thai Studies.

At the 10th International conference on Thai Studies at Thammasat University in Bangkok (9-11 January 2008), the key question of the conference was what the effect of transnationalised world to modern Thailand is. Yet, a transnationalised world can refer also to a world where the distortion of truth, ideological domination and censorship by the state are the norms and not the exceptions. Question on “Thai Identity” or “Thainess” and the way it affects social, political and organisational factors remain unanswered in contemporary Thailand. Thai Studies, thus, can be seen as a interdisciplinary-study of the particular in a world that upholds a more liberating universal values.

It is important that the studies of Thailand in terms of social, political, economic and institutional development are continuously done and disseminated by scholars who are interested in Thailand from various perspectives.

As an active global player in business and management education in the Asia Pacific, RMIT University’s business college will host this important conference in Melbourne. This conference will offer the fruits of academic researches to help alleviate the suffering caused by the impact of poor understanding of contemporary Thai state and society. It will also serve as a forum of discussion among scholars and members of Thai community in Australia.

This conference will also serve as an academic platform to discuss various issues that reflect upon the value of Thainess, and what it means for modern Thailand and scholars in Thai studies in Australia


Conference Sub- Themes:

A) Politics and Governance in Thailand
B) Business and Management in Thailand
C) Media, Technology and ICT in Thailand
D) Thai Language, Social and Culture



Submission Guidelines:


- Though submissions relating to the major theme of the Thai Studies Conference are encouraged, papers can deal with other issues relating to the broad topic of contemporary Thailand, Thai society and business. The papers may be grounded in any major Thai Studies disciplines including business, politics, culture, history, education, policy and governance in Thailand. Conceptual, theory building, or empirical papers from the above disciplines are welcome.

- All submissions must be original and should not have been previously accepted for publication in a journal or be under review at another conference.

- All papers will be blind reviewed. Accepted papers will be assigned to paper or interactive paper sessions by the Program Chair. Papers presented at the conference will be published in the CD proceedings of the conference.

- Papers should be prepared and presented in English. There is no page limit but contributors are encouraged to limit their paper to less than or equal to 10 pages (A4 paper, font 12, double spacing with margins of 1 inch) including the cover page, abstract, text, references, table and figures.
- As least one of the authors must register before the deadline of registration, attend and present the paper in the conference. Otherwise, the paper will not be included in the conference program and proceedings.

Full paper can be submitted directly to the Convenor at
Nattavud.pimpa@rmit.edu.au



Tentative Timetable:


1 April- 15 June 2011 : Call for Papers/Abstracts
3 June 2011 : Deadline for submission of papers
10 July 2011 : Notification of Acceptance/Rejection
1 June - 30 July 2011 : Registration
11-12 August 2011 : Conference Period



Academic and Social Panel discussions:


This conference will include one panel discussion on “Thailand and Australia.” The panel will investigate various aspects of Thais in Australia, Thailand in the eyes of Australian media and relationship between both countries. More information will be updated.


Conference Partners:

RMIT University (Business College and ASIA@RMIT)
The Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra.
Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Panel Members:

Professor Brian Corbitt
Deputy PVC, Business Research, RMIT University

Mr. Kriangsak Kittichaisaree
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, The Royal Thai Embassy

Professor Supriya Singh
Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University

Professor Pookong Kee
Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Associate Professor Paul Battersby
School of Global Studies, Social Science &Planning, RMIT University

Dr. Nattavud Pimpa
School of Management, RMIT University

Dr.Nuttawuth Muenjohn
School of Management, RMIT University

Ms. Sopa Coles
Thai Language School, Melbourne

Conference Convenor:

Dr. Nattavud Pimpa
(Senior Lecturer, School of Management)
RMIT University
Nattavud.pimpa@rmit.edu.au
+61 3 99251531
0432011453


Note: The conference is supported by the Royal Thai Embassy and Asia@RMIT. There is NO registration fees for this conference.

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