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At the same time, the existence of inequality has had a negative effect on
democracy. This is expressed in the legal structure, the public policy participation
process, and daily lives of the people who are still trapped in inequality. The report
on world inequality revealed that Thailand ranks among the most unequal in the
world concerning land and property ownership, as well as income. This has
significant implications beyond wealth inequality, including unequal participation in
politics, the legal system, technology, society, culture, and decentralization of
education and other public services. These inequality problems reflect and affect the
quality and sustainability of democracy in the country.

Thailand is entering an important period of democratic transition. King
Prajadhipok’s Institute as an academic institution concerned with national politics
and government, recognizes the importance and necessity of applying national and
international experiences to review and exchange ideas and suggestions to find
ways to reduce inequality and to strengthen the quality of democracy in the
country. Therefore, this year’s KPI Congress is devoted to this theme.

2. Objectives

1) To share knowledge and experience on reducing inequality and enhancing
quality of democracy among domestic and international experts.

2) To generate the recommendations for driving the policy of reducing
inequality and improving democracy in order to lead Thailand to a sustainable
democratic society.

3. Activities

The 21 King Prajadhipok Institute (KPI) Congress consists of three main
st
activities:

1) Keynote Speeches

Keynote speakers are to present knowledge, expertise, domestic and
international experiences, views, and attitudes on issues of democracy and
inequality in another transitional period of Thailand and the global context.

2) Academic Seminars

The seminar is a forum to share knowledge and brainstorm ideas from
international and national perspectives and experiences on issues related to
democracy, inequality, political mechanisms, and other relevant sectors in order to
promote the development of democracy and bring about a political society with
stable democracy. There will be three academic sessions: