Event

Thailand's future after 2023 General Election

The country's future depends on all citizens.

Friedrich Naumann Foundation is delighted to co-host Hack Thailand 2575 event. With the general election fast approaching, the participation of various individuals from all parts of the society to brainstorm by using the hackathon process with the aim to solve the country's biggest challenges is a strong signal that Thailand's future can be bright and hopeful.

Spearheading by Thai PBS, Hack Thailand 2575 is an event that brings people from all walks of life together and tasks them to come up with beneficial and practical policies that will transform Thailand. In this symposium, all participants can join the group that interests them. 

1. Domestic Violence
2. Green Space
3. Unlock the potential of the local economy by implementing the concept of creative economy
4. Poverty
5. Public Health and Social Security
6. Active Ageing
7. PM 2.5
8. Thailand Zero Waste
9. Language abilities
10. The Role of the Teacher in the Future of Education
11. Multiculturalism and the Diverse Population
12. Modern State with Zero Corruption

On the last day, all groups had 5 minutes to present their policy to the representatives of 8 political parties from different ideological spectrums. After the end of the pitching process, all political parties had to compete in holding up a sign as a symbol of interest in that specific policy.

According to Ms. Ahecha Kaewnopparat, one of the participants of Hack Thailand 2575 event, said that most political parties do not put enough attention to the problem of domestic violence against women. She hopes that the representatives of 8 political parties will show some interest in this kind of policy. If there is no response at all, her decision to speak out will make the society realises that domestic violence is not a personal issue.

On the other hand, Ms.Thanatcha Chalayyanawin said that she would love to see the reduction of healthcare inequalities. This is important because all citizens must be able to access decent healthcare. After the end of this event, she has high hopes that all political parties will see the importance of this issue. 

For example, one of the policies that the Democrat Party has shown a great interest in is Opportunity Space, which is mainly about turning the government's properties that are not in use into green spaces for the public. This policy is in line with the Democrat Party's plan to use THEOS satellite in scanning for wastelands that belong to the government and turn them into green spaces. However, Chart PattanaKLA Party has shown a strong interest in a comprehensive debt management policy, which is in line with their policy to eliminate credit bureaus in order to assist individuals in exiting the cycle of loan sharks. All in all, most parties have promised that they will implement these policies once they get elected. 

After 48 hours of brainstorming and presenting, the only thing that shone brightly throughout the event was the power of the people. We have seen people from the public, private, and civil society sectors coming together to create public policies that would transform Thailand. The only hope in their mind is to see their country in a better state. A country that people from all walks of life can be proud of. 

This article is written by Tanathorn Songrujirapatt (Project Assistant of FNF Thailand)