Page 33 - เอกสารประกอบการประชุมวิชาการ ครั้งที่ 23

2 การประชุมวิชาการ
สถาบันพระปกเกล้า ครั้งที่ 23
ประชาธิปไตยในภูมิทัศน์ใหม่

Concerning Thailand, Thais seem to distrust government regarding epidemic

control and vaccine distribution because of inflexible and ineffective rules and
administration. Therefore, questions arise on how we can manage the crisis better.
This group aims to find a better and proper governance mechanism for times of
crisis, decentralization, and participation from various sectors, to create a modern

governance system that would be effective in this crisis.

Main topics:

1) Grand design towards a system and mechanism of governance in the
midst of modern technology, the economy, identity diversity, pandemics,

and crisis management, especially in the “disruption era”.

2) Forms and processes of decentralization, centralization, authority, and
participation from various sectors for appropriate governance to face the
challenges of crises and loss of people’s confidence.

3) New approaches to the governance system and reform of mechanisms,
including innovative participation and global citizen competency.

Group Discussion 5
Equilibrium of State Security and People’s Rights and Freedom

Since the end of the eighteenth century, protection of people’s rights and
freedoms has been the key to democratic governance. A state may violate rights
and liberties only when necessary to maintain national security concerning people’s

safety and peace in a society. Before the twentieth century, rights and freedoms
clearly appeared in the constitutions of democratic Western countries as well as in
principles of court judgements, asserting that the state should only violate rights for
the sake of national security and with the most effective measures possible to

decrease any consequences that may affect the people. Similarly, a suspect also
has rights in accordance with the due process of law.

However, in the twenty-first century, there are many factors and important
situations have occurred that have changed views on national security and people’s

rights considerably, affecting the landscape of democracy. From the perspective of
people’s rights and freedoms, globalization and technological advancement increase
people’s awareness of their rights such as the right to be informed, freedom of