14th International Conference
on
Thai Studies
“Thailand at a Global Turning Point“
December 10 – 12, 2021 in Kyoto, Japan
at Kyoto Terrsa
We will consider the conference format based on the evolving COVID19 situation.
We will make a decision by the end of May at the latest.
The 14th International Conference on Thai Studies
“Thailand at a Global Turning Point”
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 14th International Conference on Thai Studies (ICTS14), it is my pleasure to welcome all participants to Kyoto.
ICTS14 is taking place at a time of unprecedented challenges not only for Thailand but for the entire world. More than ever before, we are made aware of the porosity of borders, the inextricable connectedness of the world’s population, environment, economy, and politics. Since early 2020, the pandemic has affected our societies from the details of our everyday lives and well-being to the larger world systems. Around the world, new modes of behavior, and new systems of public health, communication, economy, governance, culture etc. are being sought. As academics, we are faced with a grave challenge towards new paradigms for understanding the situation as well as shaping the future.
In Thailand, the economy has been staggering due to middle-income trap. Economic inequalities are growing, leaving a negative impact on society and politics. Politics has been severely polarized and its arena is narrowing. Deepening interactions with neighboring countries have increased mobility of people. It is time for us to think earnestly for a better and happier future for Thailand.
The conference aims to encourage Thai and international scholars to reflect upon Thai society, politics, economics, culture, and environment in the context of a global turning point that concerns relationships within and beyond Thai border. The conference will review and analyze issues in Thai society, including problems and conflicts arising from the current situation. At the same time, the conference will allow scholars to explore the state of knowledge in Thai Studies and identify gaps in the knowledge base that should be filled. We hope that ICTS14 will be an opportunity for all participants, from across many disciplines, national perspectives and varied viewpoints to gather to discuss the issues to look earnestly into Thailand’s future. We look forward to your participation and input.
This time, ICTS is held in Japan for the first time. It will be a great opportunity to reflect on the historical ties as well as the deep and varied connection between Thailand and Japan, as well as the width and depth of academic exchange between the two countries.
We hope that you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, and that you enjoy the opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones..
Professor Yoshifumi Tamada, Kyoto University
Chair, ICTS14 Organizing Committee
ICTS14 Organizing Committee
Yoshifumi Tamada, Professor, Kyoto University (Chair of ICTS14 Organizing Committee)
Yuji Baba, President of Japan Society for Thai Studies, Professor, Kyoto Bunkyo University
Shinsuke Hinata, Senior Lecturer, Osaka University
Tatsuki Kataoka, Professor, Kyoto University
Tadayoshi Murakami, Professor, Osaka University
Yoko Hayami, Professor, Kyoto University (Coordinator of Conference Secretariat)
Chie Sakurada, Affiliated Assistant Professor, Kyoto University (Staff of Conference Secretariat)
With the cooperation of:
Faculty members of ASAFAS and CSEAS, Kyoto University
Japan Society for Thai Studies
Call for Papers!
The conference aims to bring up panels with Thai, regional, Japanese and international senior and junior scholars together to present their research works and works-in-progress in the form of academic papers, and to get high-quality feedback during conference sessions engaged in discussions on Thailand in a globalized context.
The format of the conference will include 1) plenary sessions by keynote speakers who are leading scholars in Thai studies; 2) parallel sessions consisting of panels and groups of individual papers on various topics relating to Thailand; and 3) organized roundtable discussion sessions.
We welcome two types of submissions; 1) individual abstracts and 2) panel proposals.Thematic focuses of the conference include:
theme | sub-theme | |
---|---|---|
A | Environment | Climate change, natural disasters, social resilience |
Natural resource management and environmental sustainability | ||
B | Health | Health and health care systems |
Aging society and care | ||
COVID 19 challenges | ||
C | Industrial change | Rural transformations and agricultural industrialization |
Thailand 4.0, Global Production Networks and Automation | ||
D | Political economy | Income and wealth heterogeneity |
Widening inequalities: cause and effects | ||
E | Social movements | Student movements, past and present |
NGOs breaking away from civil society | ||
F | Politics and governance | Politics and governance |
Constitution and rule of law | ||
Local politics without elections | ||
Election and political party | ||
Changing faces of the political military | ||
G | Urban space | Urban dynamics: gentrification and infrastructure development |
H | Gender and sexuality | Sexual orientation and gender identity |
Norms and institutions for and against variations | ||
I | Transnationalism and migration | Borders, migrants and refugees |
Transnationalism and migration | ||
J | Religion | Changing Past: Thai Religions in Retrospect |
Thai Religions in an Era of Commercialization and Politicization | ||
Deities on the Margins of State and Church | ||
K | Arts, media and cultural politics | Art, Performance and media at the local and global crossroads |
Cultural politics, heritage and tourism | ||
L | Language and literature | Thai language in global perspective |
Contemporary innovative folklore and literature | ||
M | Thailand and Japan, past and present | |
N | History | History from local to global |
Historiography and the politics of historical narratives | ||
Power relations and ideologies in historical perspective | ||
Cold War heritage | ||
O | Ethnicity and ethnic minorities |
Issues and focuses other than these that address the current state of Thailand and its connection with the world and Thai studies are also welcome.
SubmissionAll proposals must be submitted via the form. Create your account first, and please read submission instructions carefully before submitting. All paper and panel submissions must be in English, although the actual presentations can be in Thai. We will close the online submission form on
We will extend the deadline to February 14.
Abstracts and papers
All submitted abstracts will be made available online. Full papers are not required. (We will not collect full papers.)
Important dates
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we are preparing for the possibility
of holding the conference in a hybrid format. We will keep watching and
the final decision will be announced on May 31st. 31 January 2021 14 February 2021: Deadline for submission of presentation proposals
31 May 2021: Notification of acceptance
Registration Fee
Rates and regulations will be annouced soon.
When we announce the format of the conference on May 31st, we will also announce the registration fees.
Contact
Conference secretariat
14th International Conference on Thai Studies (14th ICTS)
Center for Southeast Asian Studies Kyoto University
Kyoto, Japan
URL: www.icts14.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp
E-mail: info_icts14 [at] cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Staff:
Chie Sakurada (PhD) from ASAFAS, Kyoto University
Yasuko Ishigami (Ms) from Liaison Office, CSEAS