Student Study Group: Pad Thai & Politics
This in-person study group led by Pita Limjaroenrat, a 2023 election-winning Thailand Prime Minister Candidate and former leader of the Move Forward Party in Thailand, will take place throughout four sessions. Applications are necessary.
In-Person Event
Ash Center Conference Room (124 Mt. Auburn Street, 200N, Room 225)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT
This in-person study group led by Pita Limjaroenrat, a 2023 election-winning Thailand Prime Minister Candidate and former leader of the Move Forward Party in Thailand, is divided into two parts. This study group is co-sponsored by the Thai Study Program at the Harvard University Asia Center.
The first part in Fall 2024 will focus on discussions on how to build a political career and platform, drawing on his personal experience as a popular political leader who built a winning campaign in the national elections. The goal is to help train aspiring politicians who are currently Harvard students through the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard University Asia Center.
The second part in early 2025 will cover human rights, politics and international affairs in the Southeast Asian region. These content-based modules will feature prominent guest speakers from the region, including a Nobel laureate, academics, incumbent, and former high-level officials. They will provide both theoretical insights and practical exchanges for participants interested in Southeast Asian affairs.
Session dates
October 21 — Session 1: Building a Personal Narrative for a Political Career
Using Pita Limjaroenrat’s personal journey in leading the Move Forward Party to electoral success in Thailand, this session will explore how to plan and craft a political career. Participants will be encouraged to design a 5 to 10-year plan focused on personal, financial, social, and political goals.
- Speaker sharing: “How to craft a successful political career”, leveraging Pita’s personal experience and secret sauce of winning elections
- Round-table discussion: Participants introduce themselves and discuss their political aspirations covering three key questions (pre-circulated before the workshop):
- Why do you want to run for public office, and in which policy areas do you hope to make an impact and how (e.g., education, economic reform, healthcare, environmental, social justice)
- Which party and why?
- Why now?
- Post-workshop exercise: Design a 5–10-year plan on political, personal, financial, and social impact goals and aspirations (pitch in the next session)
November 4 — Session 2: Winning the Election under constraints, building a Political Platform Without Compromising Values
This session will unpack how the Move Forward Party (MFP) transformed perceived liabilities (low funding, non-political family candidates, priority over grassroots focus) into strengths to secure swing votes and win the 2023 election.
It will also cover how MFP utilized social media, user-generated content, and data analytics to run a successful, resource-efficient campaign.
January 29 — Session 3: ASEAN Human Rights Mechanisms - Challenges and Opportunities
This session will critically examine the role of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), established in 2009, in promoting and protecting human rights across Southeast Asia. Despite its formation, AICHR has been limited by the ASEAN Way’s principles of non-interference and consensus-based decision-making. Participants will explore the current human rights challenges in ASEAN, including the lack of accountability mechanisms, and discuss potential reforms to empower AICHR in addressing issues like transnational repression, political dissent, and minority rights.
Potential guest speakers will be invited
February 19 — Session 4: The Future of Globalization and International Trade & Implications for Southeast Asia
Participants will explore the future trajectory of globalization and international trade with a particular focus on how these developments impact Southeast Asia. Topics will include the rise of protectionism, global supply chain disruptions, and the implications of geopolitical tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China. Southeast Asian countries are at the crossroads of these global shifts, and participants will discuss strategies for navigating trade policies and fostering economic integration in an increasingly volatile world. This session will also discuss case studies of successful trade policies.
Potential guest speakers will be invited.
About the Speaker
Pita Limjaroenrat is a prominent Thai politician, 2023 election-winning Prime Minister candidate, and former leader of the Move Forward Party. Under his leadership, his party-known for its reformist policies- won the most seats in Thailand’s general election, representing a new wave of progressive politics in the country. Pita has been recognized for his innovative use of grassroots campaigns, social media strategy, and focus on human rights, transparency, and political reform. With his background in both politics and business, Pita brings a wealth of experience in navigating complex political landscapes and building successful, values-driven political platforms. Pita is now a Senior Research Fellow at the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School.
Registration Information
This Study Group is open to HUID holders only. Please apply here. Approved attendees will be informed via Harvard email by October 17.
