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ดุลพาห

Conclusory remarks: the Role of the People in An Age of Disruption

Thailand has long experimented with the various forms of political and
economic models in the past half a century. Nevertheless, one idealistic virtue that

transcends any political and socio-economic divisions is the goal that the Thai
people ought to have a say in both national but especially local affairs that directly

affect their wellbeing and livelihood. The breakthrough in this regard took place
in the late 1990s when several defining events influenced the drafting of the

People’s Constitution. While far from perfect, it did introduce for the first time the
concept of self-governance, civic engagement, and people-centered administrative

law regime in the supreme law of the country, all of which have been gradually
revised and restated several times in the past 20 years.

Yet, the rhetoric must be matched with practical implementation and

commitment to push for meaningful changes. This can only be achieved with the
process of tireless repetition, trials and errors, and learning to live in harmony and

co-existence among diverse ideas, beliefs, and actions. The country’s challenge to
move beyond the over 10 year-long political struggles may have been made more

complicated with new emerging challenges that come with the age of disruption.
Surely, this country will find it harder to control the spreading of news and

politically sensitive information in various social media platforms over which it
has rather limited control, if at all. In addition, with the rising waves of

transnationalism that comes with regional and global cooperation, the Government
cannot simply ignore the international norms or standards to which Thailand has

ratified or acceded. Last but definitely not least, it is evident from various incidents
in the past decade that Thai people came out in active support of the political

course that appealed to them. As soon as the country can find its way to turn this

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