2024 Southeast Asia Oration: Speech by Mr Pita Limjaroenrat
Asialink and the University of Melbourne hosted Mr Pita Limjaroenrat MP, Member of the Thai House of Representatives and Former Leader of the Move Forward Party, who delivered the inaugural Southeast Asia Oration.
About this event
The University of Melbourne launched its Asia and Pacific Outlook Series, with the inaugural Southeast Asia Oration delivered by Mr Pita Limjaroenrat MP, Member of the Thai House of Representatives and Former Leader of the Move Forward Party.
Pita Limjaroenrat led Thailand's Move Forward Party to a historic election result in May 2024. The progressive, reformist Move Forward obtained a plurality in the parliamentary elections, sweeping all but one seat in Bangkok.
Despite winning a plurality of seats on a platform of political and economic liberalisation, Pita was denied the prime ministership amid horse-trading among elites over who would form a government.
With Move Forward now facing the threat of dissolution by Thailand's Constitutional Court, Pita gave the University of Melbourne's Inaugural Southeast Asia Oration on 4 July.
Listen to Pita discuss the institutional barriers that blocked his rise as Prime Minister, the challenges facing the development of Thai democracy, and the broader regional challenge to democracy in Southeast Asia.
Following the Oration Pita was joined by an expert panel to discuss the health of diplomacy in the region, moderated by Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement.
Panelists:
- Dr Anna Dziedzic, Programme Officer for Constitution Building Processes at the Asia Pacific Office of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Professor
- Vedi Hadiz, Director of the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne
- Ms Syme de Leon, PhD Candidate at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne
- Dr Huong Le Thu, Deputy Director Asia Program, International Crisis Group