EMBASSY NEWS & EVENTS (2009)
U.S. Speaker Discusses Political Transition
The Media and Cultural Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok hosted U.S. speaker Dr. Larry Berman from the University of California, Davis from June 22 to 26, 2009 for a series of discussion on peaceful political transitions and the role of the opposition in a democracy. Dr. Berman shared his extensive knowledge about democratic institutions while addressing numerous audiences in Bangkok, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai.
At King Prajadhipok Institute (KPI) in Bangkok, Dr. Berman addressed senators, members of Parliament, other high-ranking government officials, as well as various executives from the private sector from KPI’s Politics and Governance in Democratic Systems for Executives Course. While in Bangkok, Dr. Berman also addressed members of Parliament and their staff and held a panel discussion at Thammasat University with students from the Faculty of Political Science.
At a day-long seminar at Khon Kaen University, Dr. Berman’s presentation to International Relations and Public Management students was followed by a panel discussion on “Political Reconciliation at the Provincial Level.” Later, Dr. Berman and Embassy representatives had insightful meetings with both Khon Kaen Province’s Governor and with Khon Kaen City’s Major.
Wrapping up the week-long program with a visit to Chiang Mai, Dr. Berman spoke to students, academics, government officials and members of the local media at the Faculty of Political Science in Chiang Mai University. Later in the day, he held a lively presentation and lengthy discussion with active members from the two opposing political groups in Thailand. The focus of this discussion was the role of the opposition political parties and of political actors not affiliated with any formal political party.