A policy forum on development and environmental challenges and policies to “bridge the gap” and “connect the dots” to create one big picture for better understanding and decision-making in the society
In times when society has become widened with gaps and differences of views and opinions, one issue could be escalated into a crisis if there are no platforms available for appropriate discussion among all concerned.
The media, while informing and inspiring their audience, could also take a role in educating and facilitating the public by providing such platforms, bridging the gap and connecting the dots to create one big picture for better understanding in the society.
Realising such critical roles, Bangkok Tribune, in collaboration with its partners and with the support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Thailand Office, has therefore come up with a monthly forum on issues of importance under the project, Dialogue Forum.
This is to facilitate and provide a space for discussions and exchanges of dialogues and views regarding critical social and environmental issues and policies both in Thailand and the Mekong region. It not only bridges the gap but also connects the dots, helping forge better understanding among the parties concerned and the public at large, therefore encouraging them to make a better decision about the issues or even find a common ground and seek solutions together.
Over the past few years, the forum has invited a number of parties to come and discuss the issues at the forum; several of them are scholars and leaders in their fields. They have reached some common grounds while recommendations and new policies have been proposed for issues of importance such as Green Recovery in Post Covid-19, Climate Change policies, biodiversity in crisis, dam development in the Mekong Basin, and others. (See: https://bkktribune.com/dialogue-forum/)
After a long delay, the government through the National Energy Policy Committee has recently decided to endorse consecutively power purchase from three Mekong dam projects; be they Pak Beng, Pak Lay, and Luang Prabang, all located on the Mekong mainstream in Lao PDR. Its decisions were taken in a short period of time over the past few months, renewing concerns over the impacts they may have caused, including those on the Thai-Lao borderline.
In addition, it has been learned that Thailand now is having an excess power reserve beyond what is set, which is around 15% of the country’s power generation capacity. The rush to purchase power from those three dams by the government has prompted questions over energy planning and governance, which seems not to be settled easily among those concerned.
The Dialogue Forum would cordially like to invite you to discuss and find the best way out of our energy situation at the third forum of this year, Dialogue Forum 3 l Year 3: Mekong dams and Electricity bills; Who really wants electricity? (in Thai), on November 4, 2022, 10.00 am-12.30 pm at SEA-Junction, 4 th Floor, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
Contact:
Ms. Piyaporn Wong l Bangkok Tribune coordinator: 089 920 8027/ [email protected]/ FB Messenger: Bangkok Tribune News
**Due to the Covid protocol, please confirm your participation ahead of the event and present a two-dose vaccination certificate as well as an ATK test result at the venue.
***You can watch the event live on FB Page: Thai PBS, Decode.plus, Backpack Journalist, นักข่าวพลเมือง (ThaiPBS), Bangkok Tribune News, ชมรมนักข่าวสิ่งแวดล้อม (Thai SEJ), SEA-Junction
Objectives
- To develop and introduce a new body of knowledge and innovation (a constructive dialogue platform) regarding the independent and in-depth media to the public (Indie & In-depth)
- To empower public members to be able to keep up with developments as well as repercussions in the society, as well as the role of the media in helping shape the society (Empowering)
- To promote participation in problem-solving and decision-making processes as well as in the development of such an innovative and constructive media so that it can remain open and accessible to all (Open & Accessible)
Partners
- Decode.plus, Thai PBS
- The Citizen.plus, Thai PBS
- SEA-Junction
- The Thai Society of Environmental Journalists
- Bangkok Tribune Online News Agency
Supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Thailand Office
Indie • in-depth online news agency
to “bridge the gap” and “connect the dots” with critical and constructive minds on development and environmental policies in Thailand and the Mekong region; to deliver meaningful messages and create the big picture critical to public understanding and decision-making, thus truly being the public’s critical voice