The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), organized the Workshop on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia 2026 from 27 April to 3 May 2026 at Chiang Mai University.
The workshop opened with remarks by Dr. Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Director of RCSD, who welcomed participants from across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and beyond, including university lecturers, researchers, practitioners, and graduate students working on issues related to displacement and forced migration.
The first three days focused on academic sessions and discussions. Speakers from regional and international institutions contributed to the program, including Dr. Jasmin Lilian Diab (Lebanese American University), who delivered an online lecture on conceptualizing forced displacement studies; Dr. Carl Middleton (Chulalongkorn University), who spoke on displacement in the context of environmental injustice and mobility; and Dr. Mak Sithirith (Cambodia Development Resource Institute), who presented on environmental issues in Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia. Additional sessions were led by Dr. Riwanto Tirtosudarmo on internal displacement in Indonesia, by Dr. Naruemon Thabchumpon (Chulalongkorn University) on conflict-induced migration, and by Dr. Amporn Jirattikorn (Chiang Mai University) on research methodologies for studying vulnerable communities. Moreover, the RCSD faculty members, including Dr. Sirada Khemanitthathai and Dr. Andrew Wai Phyo Kyaw, also facilitated sessions on disciplinary approaches in studying forced displacement and politics of protection for urban refugees in Southeast Asia.
From 30 April to 2 May 2026, participants joined a field trip to the Thailand–Myanmar border. The visit included meetings with organizations working on displacement-related issues, including The Border Consortium, Rights Beyond Border, Karen Refugee Committee Education Entity (KRCEE), and Joy House in Mae Sot. Participants also conducted site observations in border areas to gain a deeper understanding of the lived realities of displaced populations.
On the final day, participants took part in a debriefing session and peer discussions on their essay proposals, followed by workshop evaluation and closing remarks. Participants’ reflective essays on forced displacements will appear as a series of opinion pieces in upcoming months.
