#FreeYouth: How are young Thais transforming twitter hashtags from small displays of online activism to offline acts of mass defiance? 

2020 saw month after month of demonstrations led by Thailand’s youth, seeking greater democracy and accountability from both the Government and the monarchy with three demands: the dissolution of parliament, ending intimidation of the people, and the drafting of a new constitution. While news of Thailand’s youth revolution is quietening as the pro-democracy wave surges elsewhere in the region, the fight for reform is far from over. As the number of lèse-majesté prosecutions and harsh prison sentences rises among young and old alike, how is Thailand’s youth continuing to mobilise on-and-offline?

Asia Society Australia warmly invites you to the first in our Youth in Revolt series exploring Thailand’s youth-led protest movement with Dr Aim Sinpeng, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney, young leader Kanyanatt Kalfagiannis, Head of the Australian Alliance for Thai Democracy, and Chanachai Chotsangsri, founder of the pro-democracy group Khana Rad Source. Moderated by the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Richard Maude, join us as we unpack the origins of this youth-led protest movement, how it continues to challenge the Thai establishment and how popular culture has become a symbol of resistance in the face of new restrictions on civic freedoms.

Date: Tuesday 13 April 2021  
Time: 3 – 4 p.m. AEST

This event is open to all Asia Society members and youth partners and is by invitation only. Registration is essential. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]. If you would like to access this event and are a member of an Australian Asia-focused youth organisation, please contact your organisation’s executive team.