The Friedrich Naumann Foundation has worked in Thailand for the past 35 years. We co-operate with the National Election Commission (ECT), the Ministry of Justice, judicial institutes of the Supreme Court, the Senate and Parliament as well as the Democrat Party (DP), Our partners also include youth networks, think tanks, civic forums, political research institutes and social media developers. We promote liberal democracy, respect for human rights, free-market economy, and the Rule of Law.

Strengthening liberal democracy

Since many years the Foundation closely co-operates with the Electoral Commission of Thailand (ECT) in the field of democratic and civic education. We help to develop curricula and design educational material for teachers and students at state schools.

Public education material on political processes in Thailand

These materials include teachers’ guides, study material for students, CDs, short movies on democracy, constitution, democratic practices, human rights and the Rule of Law. Moreover, we provide trainings for teachers and other multiplicators, moderators and facilitators in civic education. The purpose of these activities is to increase the Thai public´ understanding of democracy, freedom and individual rights.

We also closely work with committees of the Senate and the Parliament to strengthen democratic political institutions. FNF and the Democrat Party of Thailand jointly conduct capacity building workshops on strategic planning and electoral campaigning. We also organise public forums in various provinces around Thailand and in several consistencies of Bangkok. The Foundation promotes and encourages civic participation in Thai politics so that government officials are able to adequately respond to the needs of citizens.

Support the reform of the judicial system in Thailand

There are several pressing issues in Thailand that require a reform of the judicial system. The Foundation is co-operating with the Rabibhadanasak Judicial Research Institute of the Supreme Court on various judicial issues such as the inquisitorial system of justice and laws and judicial orders to protect  civil rights.  We also co-operate with the Ministry of Justice on issues like land reforms, informal debts and law enforcement. In joint effort, we organise judicial dialogues and workshops. We invite legal experts from Germany to share and exchange knowledge on the German legal system with Thai judges and prosecutors from the Supreme Court, the Criminal Court, the Court of Justice and Provincial Courts.

Workshop in the Office of the Judiciary on options for legal reform in Thailand.

Mr Sak Korsangruang, President of the Thai Lawyers Council; Adj Prof Jarun Pakdithanakul, Justice of the Constitutional Court; Dr Hassavut Vititviriyakul, President of the Supreme Administrative Court; Mr Somchit Thongsri, Chief Justice of the Central Labour Court; Judge Anurak Sanga-areekul, Secretary of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division; Dr Thammanoon Phitayaporn, Chief Judge attached to the Office of Present of the Supreme Court (left to right)

Strengthening Youth Networks and Think Tanks

We realise the importance of the young generation for the future of Thailand and the need to cultivate democratic values at early stages in life. Therefore, we organise “edutainment activities” to increase young people’s knowledge of democracy and to raise their interest in the nation’s political affairs.

Thailand’s prime minister and head of the Democrat Party (DP) Abhisit Vejjajiva at a CALD – FNF strategic planning workshop in Bangkok

We organise events such as essay competitions, poster design contests, democracy training camps and democratic citizen training workshops.

Moreover, we support young social media developers such as Siam Intelligence Unit (SIU), Sai Jai Thai, Rangkid, Thoth Media, Changefusion and the Thai Fund Foundation. The main objective is to promote liberal concepts by means of modern mass media, videos and social networks. The website thaiwatch.com is designed to promote freedom of information and good governance, giving the general public free access to quantitative and qualitative data on Thai politics.

Seminars and Public Forums on Current Issues

Our foundation supports the Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) in organising academic seminars and public forums on current issues for the general public. Politicians, academics, journalists, political analysts, economists and human rights activists come together in this forum to discuss about relevant social, economic and political issues in Thailand.

     Prof. Dr. Morlok (center), Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom during a visit to the Thai National Assembly