March 2022
Observance of International Women's Day under the Theme, Gender Equality for a Sustainable, from 19:00-20:30 hrs (ICT), Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), Bangkok, Thailand
07 March 2022
Bangkok, Monday, March 07, 2022, 19:00-20:30hrs (ICT), at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), Bangkok, Thailand.
The themes for both International Women’s Day, and the 66th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women address the critical role of women and girls in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation, while celebrating their contributions to a sustainable tomorrow. The Observance of International Women’s Day under the theme, Gender Equality for a Sustainable was held on Monday, March 07, 2022, from 19:00-20:30hrs (ICT), at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), Bangkok, Thailand.
Climate change and environmental degradation are some of the greatest and most complex global challenges of the 21st century. Humanity is in dire need for shared leadership which brings everyone together towards a common vision for sustainable development. Effective actions and decisions require the participation of everyone, from local leaders to international policy makers. Only from open and transparent participation, can just and sustainable outcomes be achieved. Women and girls remain more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, as they rely more on the natural resources that climate change puts at risk. As the global pandemic has revealed, the resilience of women to climate shocks is further tested by the overlapping crisis of gender inequality. Due to this occasion, Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, the Thailand Representative to the ACWC for Women’s Rights was invited to be one of the panelists of the event.
Advancing gender equality is therefore needed for a sustainable future. Women and girls leadership has a central role in this. Experiences from around the world already tell us inspiring stories of change. From those stories, we reflect on what the challenges are to advance gender equality, what the opportunities are, and what is needed to turn those opportunities into solutions in the fight against climate change and beyond.
Link to the short video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=252248357124496
Link to the full event: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h9NkXaT1gRmbhrQzAe-mH3mCBD_9iEcy?usp=sharing
The Regional Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Workshop, from 8:30-16:00hrs (ICT), via hybrid platform, Pullman Hotel King Power, Bangkok, Thailand
10-11 March 2022
Bangkok, Thursday and Friday, March 10 and 11, 2022, via hybrid platform, at Pullman Hotel King Power.
USAID/RDMA, WWF Greater Mekong, the Thailand Representative for Women’s Rights to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) and the Asian Research Center for Migration, Center of Excellence on Migration and Development at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University had established a collaboration to organize the Regional Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Workshop on Thursday and Friday, March 10 and 11, 2022, via hybrid platform, at Pullman Hotel King Power, Bangkok, Thailand.
The workshop was the first introduction of the “Regional Dialogue Supporting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Climate Action Planning: Mekong For the Future” project, between Mekong For the Future and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children (ACWC), which has been included as part of the ACWC work plan 2021 - 2025. It was intended to establish Mekong for the Future’s CSO Community of Practice to share the regional vision for transparent and inclusive natural resource governance across the Lower Mekong.
Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, the Thailand Representative to the ACWC for Women’s Rights, and the Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the Asian Research Center for Migration, Center of Excellence on Migration and Development at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University had co-organized the workshops with the respectful stakeholders. Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta was also invited to be a guest speaker to talk about the overview of the project and to give the closing remark at the end of the event.
April 2022
Field Trip for the ARCM Research on Assessing the Opportunities for Safe Migration of Myanmar Workers in Thailand in Mae Sot, via hybrid platform.
During 02-06 April 2022
Bangkok, Saturday to Wednesday, April 2-6, 2022, via hybrid platform.
ARCM Research on Assessing the Opportunities for Safe Migration of Myanmar Workers in Thailand is a joint project with the support from the World Bank Group and the Thailand Department of Employment.
The researchers conducted field data collection with migrant workers in Mae Sot during 2-6 April 2022, using both on site observance and Zoom meetings. While participating in the group discussion in Myanmar language, the researchers and informants had encountered a new experience when the workers found a way to use the chairs to replace the lack of tables to watch the Zoom meeting.
The field data collection is ongoing. Findings will be shared later.
The 6th UDC Public Lecture on Demography in Big City and Vicinity
22 April 2022
Bangkok, Friday, April 22, 2022, via online platform.
On April 22, 2022, Dr. Premjai Vungsiriphisal, ARCM senior researcher was invited to be a keynote speaker for the 6th UDC Public Lecture on Demography in Big City and Vicinity. The lecture was organized by Urban Disease Control and Prevention Foundation(UDCF), covered content on Demography, Biodemography, Medical demography, Urban population, Urban and migration. The lecture received attention from 98 audiences: medical doctors, nurses, public health personnel from
disease prevention unit nationwide.
May 2022
Memorandum of cooperation between the ARCM and other organizations
26th May 2022
Bangkok, Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Department of Fisheries.
The Research team from The Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) met with Mr. Chalermchai Suwannarak, Director General of the Department of Fisheries to present the memorandum of cooperation between the Department, ARCM and other organizations. In the meeting, team leader of eight sub-projects under the projects of Preservation and Promotion of Thailand's Short Mackerel in its Value Chain: A Research and Innovation Project also presented the progress and findings of the projects.
Online Research Webinar on “Safety Nets: A situation analysis of non-formal educational pathways for migrant children in Thailand’s Tak Province”.
Sunday, May 29, 2022, via online platform
Bangkok, Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Department of Fisheries.
Dr. Premjai Vungsiriphisal was invited to be a panelist in the panel discussion of the Online Research Webinar on “Safety Nets: A situation analysis of non-formal educational pathways for migrant children in Thailand’s Tak Province”. The panel provided information regarding to the education situation for migrant children along the border, in addition to response to the research findings. The seminar was hosted by Help Without Frontier and Teacher FOCUS, joined by 80 participants from Thailand, Myanmar and overseas.
June 2022
Data Collection and Interview with the Fishermen and Fishery Owners for
the project entitled "Fishermen"
Saturday June 18 and Saturday June 25, 2022 in Samaut Sakhon Province
Tuesday June 21 to Saturday June 25, 2022 in Prachuapkerekan Province.
Samaut Sakhon Province, Saturday June 18 and Saturday June 25, 2022, and Prachuapkerekan Province, Tuesday June 21 to Saturday June 25, 2022.
ARCM research team went to collect data and interview the Fishermen and Fishery owners by researcher project on “Fishermen” which was collected in Samaut Sakhon Province on June 18 and 25, and Prachuapkerekan Province on June 21 to June 25, 2022. In addition, this project received the cooperation by Provincial Department of Fisheries, Provincial Fisheries Association and National Fisheries Association of Thailand.
July 2022
Fieldwork for the project "Who will take over the farm? Young farmers and agrarian transition in Timor-Leste” in East Timor
June 2022
East Timor, June 2022.
In June 2022, Dr. Pyone Myat Thu returned to Timor-Leste (East Timor) to undertake fieldwork for her project “Who will take over the farm? Young farmers and agrarian transition in Timor-Leste”, funded by the Asahi Glass Foundation, Japan. Rural to urban migration and increasingly, overseas labour migration to Australia, South Korea and the UK (and most recently, Portugal) are attractive for young Timorese seeking employment and income. This raises some hard questions for Timor-Leste which is a net importer of food, has low agricultural production and faces seasonal food insecurity. What is the future of family farm land? Who are taking up farming, and what policies can contribute to support the agricultural sector?
Dr. Myat Thu is a human geographer has worked extensively across Timor-Leste examining themes related to rural livelihoods, land relations and migration. She was only able to resume in-country fieldwork after prolonged delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project draws on a qualitative research methodology to gain deeper insights into young farmers’ lived realities. A total of 64 young farmers (men and women) were interviewed in Dili, Baucau and Bobonaro, in addition to national stakeholders.
Whilst in Dili, the administrative capital of Timor-Leste, Dr Myat Thu met with His Excellency Ambassador Ekapol Poolpipat at the Royal Thai Embassy to learn about Thailand’s engagement with the youngest Southeast Asian nation-state. On 10 June 2022, Thailand commemorated 20 years of diplomatic bilateral relations with Timor-Leste, which began after Thailand’s Lieutenant General Boonsrang Niumpradit was appointed as commander to head the United Nations peacekeeping mission in 2000, known as UNTAET (UN Transitional Administration in East Timor) following the vote for national Independence from Indonesia by the East Timorese population in August 1999.
Compared to the traditional and larger donors, namely Australia, European Union, USA and China, Thailand’s aid and bilateral trade with Timor-Leste is modest. Nonetheless, Thailand has established a number of development projects in the areas of education, health, social and agriculture, including women’s economic empowerment. Thailand has also long supported Timor-Leste’s application to become a member of ASEAN. Furthermore, the Collaborative Project on Children and Youth Development under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand has been running since 2014, which draws on an integrated approach to children’s development by improving students’ nutrition and health as well as school infrastructure.
August 2022
The Journey to Sustainable Food: Lesson Learnt from Thai Short Mackerel
12 - 14 August 2022
Prachuap Khiri Khan, 12 – 14 August 2022
Thai short mackerel, which used to be highly abundant in the Gulf of Thailand ("GoT"), was once acknowledged as a commercially important species as well as a common food in the Thai household. It was also a staple of the diet of nearly every Thai child, regardless of socioeconomic status. But it can't be denied that the Thai short mackerel population is facing challenges, such as overfishing and a sharp drop in numbers. As a result, it is uncertain how much longer the Thai short mackerel can continue to be a food staple. Numerous policies, measures, and programmes have been developed over the years. Nonetheless, there are numerous debates regarding how these policies, measures, and programmes will promote food justice and sustainability.
As mentioned above, The Asian Research Center for Migration ("ARCM") of Chulalongkorn University is collaborating with six organisations, including the Department of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, associations, civil service organisations, and fisherfolk groups, to conduct a study titled "Preservation and Promotion of Thailand's Short Mackerel in its Value Chain: A Research and Innovation Project." This project is supported by the Thailand National Research Council. This project comprises eight components. One of these focuses on fishermen in both the commercial and traditional fishing industries. We believe that changing attitudes and behaviours can promote sustainable fishing practises and food justice.
ARCM organised a trip to Ban Krut, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the attitudes and behaviours of Thai short mackerel fishermen. This trip aimed to pre-survey targeted communities and meet with representatives of fisherfolk and commercial fishing groups.
Figure 1 and 2: Meeting with the representative of Bangsaphan's Fisherfolk Association
It was a productive journey. The research team has a deeper comprehension of the perspectives, attitudes, and behaviour of the fishermen. This trip has taught us that the biggest threats to the Thai short mackerel are the development of new technologies and fishing gear, the increasing demand for short mackerel due to population growth, and the expansion of commercial and traditional fishing. In addition, the capture of juvenile Thai short mackerel has increased.
Figure 3: Meeting with Fisherfolk Group in Ban Krut
The research team received a number of recommendations on food justice and sustainable solutions for the Thai mackerel, such as the use of environmentally friendly fishing gear and the selection of specific catch sizes. The representative of the fisherfolk's association proposed extending the nursing period for juvenile fish following the blockade during spawning season. He noted that this measure will greatly assist in boosting the Thai short mackerel population, and that it can be advantageous for both fishermen and commercial fishing. There is a need for research, product development, and marketing to increase more value for the Thai short mackerel. Enforcement of laws and regulations must be strengthened, and price guarantees were also addressed. To improve the fisherman's standard of living, one of the recommendations is that the government should provide compensation during the blockage season. Ultimately, long-term strategies are required for the Thai short mackerel. These recommendations can facilitate in the formulation of policy recommendations as well as the design of programmes that promote the sustainability and food justice of the Thai short mackerel.
September 2022
IMD Conference 2021 Policy Brief
"The Pandemic and Beyond: Implications for Migrant Workers in Thailand and Southeast Asia"
ARCM-CE in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Stokholm Environment Institute (SEI) has produced a policy brief summarising the main points raised during the 2021 International Migrants Day Conference in Chulalongkorn University. The policy brief outlines the implications of COVID-19 on migrant workers in Thailand and Southeast Asia, focusing on health, housing and socioeconomic assistance integration during crisis times and re-migration policies in the post-pandemic period.
Download the Policy Brief here
The 8th International Joint Conference on Korean Studies and Thai Studies: Korean-Thai Disruption Technology Today After Pandemic
01 September 2022
Bangkok, 01 September 2022
On September 1, 2022 Professor Supang Chantavanich and Samarn Laodamrongchai from the Asian Research Center gave presentation on Context, Dynamics and Impact of Thai workers going to work in South Korea in 21 century” at the 8th International Joint Conference on Korean Studies and Thai Studies: Korean-Thai Disruption Technology Today After Pandemic. The conference was co-organized by Faculty of Humanity, Ramkhamhaeng University and Asia Research Center of the Korea Foundation for Advance Study and held at Ramkhamhaeng University. The presentation was based on the findings of the research project “The Research and Innovation Project on Efficient and Sustainable Labor Migration Management for Thai Workers to Korea during Covid-19, funded by Korea Foundation for Advance Study.
The research findings was presented for the second time at the Faculty of Art, Chulalongkorn University, organized by Asia Research Center of the Korea Foundation for Advance Study.
Photo: Prof. Supang Chantavanich and Samarn Laodamrongchai at the Faculty of Art, Chulalongkorn University
Field visit for the project entitled "Preservation and Promotion of Thailand's Short Mackerel in its Value Chain: A Research and Innovation"
16 September 2022
Prachuapkhirikhan Province, 16 September 2022
During September 15-16, 2022, the research team from the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) visited the area of Bang Saphan District in Prachuapkhirikhan to observe the fishermen activities in the commercial fishing boats and the process of separating aquatic animals. The visit is a part of the research project entitled "Preservation and Promotion of Thailand's Short Mackerel in its Value Chain: A Research and Innovation Project. The findings from the visit reflected the limitations of the fishery process and the struggling of fishermen under the conditions of the law set by the government.
October 2022
The field visit to Samutsongkram Coastal Aquaculture
Research and Development Regional Center
19 October 2022
Samutsongkram, Wednesday, 19 October 2022.
ARCM research team paid a field visit to Samutsongkram Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Regional Center on October 19, 2022. The objective of this visit was to observe the mackerel breeding in cement pond as part of the possibility study to breed the mackerel beyond the natural process.
Photo: ARCM research team’ field visit at Samutsongkram Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Regional Center, Samutsongkram
After field visit, the research team attended the meeting with Samutsongkram Fishery Association to present findings of the research and innovation project “Preservation and Promotion of Thailands Short Mackerel in its Value Chain. In the meeting, research team exchanged idea and comment for the findings from ship captain and ship owners.
Photo: ARCM research team at the meeting with Samutsongkram Fishery Association
The 4th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights
24-26 October 2022
Jakarta, Monday to Wednesday, 24-26 October 2022
Following the previous Dialogues on Human Rights in 2015, 2017, and 2019, the 4th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights was held from 24-26 October, 2022 via hybrid platform in Jakarta, Indonesia, which was co-hosted by AICHR Indonesia and AICHR Cambodia.
The objectives of this year’s policy dialogue are 1) To strengthen the policy dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN and EU in the area of human rights; 2) To share and exchange views between ASEAN and EU regarding experiences and developments in the promotion and protection of human rights; and 3) To interact with various EU and ASEAN organisations responsible on human rights, including the stakeholders, for instance with civil society organisations, academes, and youth. It is expected that at the end, the Dialogue will strengthen the cooperation between ASEAN and EU in the area of human rights and come up with the press release of the 4th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights and the identified joint initiatives on human rights.
Dr. Ratchada was invited to co-present with the Chair of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) under Agenda number 3: Business and Human Rights, Environmental Rights and Climate Change. The presentation mainly focused on relevant ASEAN initiatives on Climate Change and especially the pilot project entitled the ASEAN Regional Dialogue Supporting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Climate Action Planning that is also a collaboration from the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM), Center of Excellence at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University. In addition, Dr.Ratchada also presented projects related to women migration worker, Ending gender-based workplace exploitation, and anti-human trafficking during Agenda Item 7; the Gender Sensitive Guidelines for Handling Women Victim of Trafficking - translated into Thai with a collaboration between DSI and ARCM were also presented.
The Brain Power Congress 2022:
Progress Report of Twenty Eight Research Projects
28-29 October 2022
Nonthaburi, Friday to Saturday, 28-29 October 2022
Dr. Premjai Vungsiriphisal, ARCM senior researcher was invited as an expert to give comments and inputs to the Progress Report of Twenty Eight Research Projects at the Brain Power Congress 2022 on October 28-29, 2022, which was held at Muangthong Thani Convention Center, Nonthaburi. These projects were funded by Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development and Innovation, Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Unit.
Photo : Dr. Premjai Vungsiriphisal, an expert at Brain Power Congress 2022, Nonthaburi
November 2022
The Virtual Book Launch for African Migrants in Thailand:
Race, Mobility and Integration
15 November 2022
Bangkok, Tuesday, 15 November 2022
On the 15th of November 2022, Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM) hosted a Virtual Book Launch for African Migrants in Thailand: Race, Mobility and Integration, which was edited by Elzbieta Gozdziak and Supang Chantavanich, and published by Routledge.
The book launch began with opening remarks from Chan Yuk Wah, Series Editor and Associate Professor in the Department of Public and International Affairs City University of Hong Kong.
This was followed by commentaries from two prominent migration scholars, Professor Heidi Østbø Hau-gen from the Department of cultural studies and oriental languages, University of Oslo and Professor Laurence Juma in the Faculty of Law at Rhodes University who each provided comparative insights on the edited volume from cultural studies and legal studies.
The edited volume is available online here.
December 2022
The Regional Cross-Sectoral Consultation Meeting
1-2 December 2022
Bangkok, December 1st, 2022
The ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), ACWC Cambodia and ACWC Thailand, and ASEC, supported by USAID and WWF in collaboration with the Center of Excellence; the Asian Research Center for Migration (ARCM), Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University hosted the Regional Cross-Sectoral Consultation Meeting to present the first phase of our project on Regional Dialogue Supporting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Climate Action Planning - Mekong for the Future.
The project researcher team presented their findings, research analysis recommendations, and other details relevant to the Greater Mekong Subregion member states. This workshop was intended to open a platform for dialogue for these individuals who specialize in the field of gender equality, social inclusion, and climate action planning. With the valuable presence and contribution from the keynote speakers, His Excellency Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand has presented the “Climate change issue in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)”.
We have received feedbacks and recommendations from government officials, industry experts, ASEAN sectoral bodies, and CSOs which will be incorporated moving forward.
Bangkok, December 2nd, 2022
The second day of Regional Cross-Sectoral Consultation Meeting commenced at 1) Chulalongkorn University, where several presentations on environmental research and projects from the Environmental Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University, WWF Thailand, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were shared to participants. With the questions and answer session and topic for discussions become the platform for regional stakeholders’ dialogue sharing their experiences and ideas.
Regarding the field visit program, participants continued to participate in activities at 2) the Bang Kachao ‘s oasis in Samut Prakan Province where Participants learned how the community has preserved the climate and environments and used of the local natural resources to create the local products and sustain their livelihoods; for example tide dying fabrics with Nypa palm fruit, making the Thai dessert, name Chor Muang which from local plants like butterfly pea flower, and getting foot spa and massage as their local wisdom. We also got to hear from Mr. Noppadol Phuvavimol and Mrs. Prempree Tairat on the conservation of this region and their goals for the future.
The event finished off by having participants visited 3) the Forestias, a land developer of private sector which focusing on ideas related to climate and environmental management and preservation on their project. We heard from Ms. Phetcharin Phongphetkul on the initiative and creation of The Forests in Samut Prakan Province.
