Conference Theme: Thai Studies in Japan: Conversations Across Borders

(Co-hosted by JSTS and TKRI)

Venue: Kukrit Pramoj Conference Room, Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University, Thaprachan.

Date: 10 – 11 September 2026

Rationale and Significance

The field of Thai Studies has garnered significant interest within the global academic community, encompassing a diverse array of disciplines including history, humanities, and the social sciences. Nevertheless, academic platforms facilitating the exchange of knowledge between international Thai Studies communities remain relatively limited. Furthermore, existing scholarly activities are often confined to specialized interest groups or specific sub-disciplines, rather than adopting a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to the study of Thai society.

In response, the collaborative academic conference organized by the Japanese Society for Thai Studies (JSTS) and the Thai Khadi Research Institute (TKRI), Thammasat University, represents a strategic initiative aimed at bridging these gaps. The primary objectives of this project are threefold:

• First, to establish a formal academic platform that enables scholars, researchers, and students to engage in meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange.
• Second, to create a novel space for comparative learning by contrasting the unique perspectives of Japanese and Thai academics regarding Thai society.
• Third, to explore, debate, and exchange emerging research themes and innovative methodologies. This aims to address critical intellectual gaps and expand the frontiers of Thai Studies for future inquiry.