Dream Constitution

Opportunities for an Isaan Youth Like Me

This opportunity was incredibly significant and life-changing for an Isaan youth like me. I felt extremely excited to travel to Bangkok to participate in a major event—my very first big event. Honestly, I was overwhelmed, but at the same time, deeply honored to have been invited. I sincerely thanked the FNF Thailand team for reaching out and recognizing my value.

Preparing for this event required a lot of effort, especially since the main theme revolved around Thailand’s future and the constitution of our dreams. Designing an ideal constitution initially felt like an overwhelming task. I had to study constitutional principles thoroughly to understand them better, identify weaknesses, and think about ways to improve them. At first, I struggled because the language of the constitution was complex and difficult for young people unfamiliar with legal terminology. However, I worked hard to develop techniques for grasping key points, making the subject more approachable.

At first, I didn’t fully understand how significant the constitution was in our daily lives. I used to think it was solely a matter of politics and politicians. But as I delved deeper, I realized that the constitution was the foundation of the laws that governed everyone. Ideally, everyone should have a say in shaping the rules we all lived by, and the law should be fair to all. However, this raised an important question—was Thailand truly like that? If the law was supposed to ensure justice, why did some groups in society still lack fairness, rights, and freedoms, despite constitutional guarantees?

Through my experiences, observations, and studies, I began questioning why those in power often failed to uphold constitutional principles correctly. Seeing that some communities still faced injustice made me even more determined to contribute to constitutional reform, ensuring fairness for all groups in society.

The Youth Dialogue: The Constitution of Our Dreams

When the event day finally arrived, I found myself among participants from different regions, most of whom I didn’t know. Initially, I felt nervous and didn’t know who to talk to, so I remained silent, just listening. Fortunately, a participant from Pathum Thani Technical College approached me and started a conversation. That helped me step out of my comfort zone, making the atmosphere much more welcoming.

Later, we were randomly divided into mixed groups. I wondered whether we would be able to work together and understand each other. Then, the facilitators placed LEGO bricks on the table. At first, I was confused—how could LEGO relate to the constitution? I assumed we would simply build structures for fun. But I was wrong.

Each participant was given a box of LEGO and instructed to build something that represented themselves and their emotions. Initially, I didn’t understand the purpose, but as the process unfolded, it allowed us to see the unique perspectives of our peers. Despite coming from different backgrounds, we shared our ideas through our LEGO creations. That’s when I started enjoying the activity—I had never participated in anything like it before!

The next task was to build our dream city. We could take additional LEGO pieces as needed. I was eager to engage. As soon as the facilitator gave the signal, everyone focused intensely on creating their cities within a limited time. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, and there was a strong sense of teamwork—no one worked selfishly. Those who finished first encouraged others.

One phrase from the facilitator stuck with me: "Don't overthink, just build first." It seemed counterintuitive, but it actually worked. It allowed us to let go of our doubts and unleash our creativity freely.

After completing our dream cities, we presented our ideas. This process revealed the unique aspirations and visions each person had for a better society. It became clear that the dreams of young people could shape Thailand’s future and its ideal constitution.

Our Green City

After merging our individual ideas, our group decided to name our city "Green City." The front of our city featured colorful LEGO figures, symbolizing a diverse and inclusive population. One figure held a black hammer, representing bias and the need to challenge prejudices. Another figure with a red head symbolized leadership with a commitment to national development over personal gain. A heart-shaped gateway represented open-mindedness and acceptance of new ideas. Our city was filled with greenery, featuring urban forests and clean energy-powered transportation to emphasize environmental sustainability. The LEGO figures were depicted engaging in conversations, highlighting the importance of unity and social connections—something we felt was diminishing in today’s society.

At the back of the city, an elephant near agricultural land symbolized Thailand’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage. A treasure chest represented the immense value of agricultural products, which were the country’s true wealth. We also included a waste-to-energy power plant, illustrating how agricultural waste could be converted into clean energy. Our factory, equipped with strict labor welfare and safety measures, produced exportable green energy, reinforcing Thailand’s economic and environmental sustainability.

Creating a livable city depended on its people. Similarly, building a sustainable Thailand required a constitution that upheld human rights and encouraged youth participation in shaping their own future. A well-designed constitution should protect freedom of expression, enhance education, and promote political involvement among young people.

When youth were empowered to contribute ideas, policies, and innovations that addressed societal needs, they didn’t just strengthen democracy—they helped build a fair and equal society, which was the foundation of sustainable development.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

Being part of FNF Thailand reinforced my belief that we didn’t have to wait for others to shape our future—we could take charge of our own lives. A progressive society must be willing to adapt, protect human rights, and ensure justice for all.

This experience was truly transformative for me as an Isaan youth. I believed FNF Thailand played a vital role in nurturing young leaders who were strong, responsible, and dedicated citizens. Programs like Thailand Talks, which encouraged open discussions with people of differing views, helped bridge divides and foster mutual understanding.

By promoting critical thinking, leadership, and active civic engagement, youth could become key drivers of national progress. When young people were conscious of their role in society and equipped with the right skills, they could shape a stronger, more just, and more sustainable Thailand.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             danke schön

                                                                                                              Saharat Kanhapong

                                                                                                              Mahasarakham University