Polarization needs conversation: creating deliberative thinking environment through My Country Talks in Thailand

Abstract

Deliberation is typically employed to address difficult issues in society. Since 2021, Thailand has implemented Thailand Talks, an adaptation of the European-initiated My Country Talks platform, to encourage individuals to exchange their different viewpoints on public issues, with the aim of countering polarization in society. This study aims to examine the idea and process utilized in the Thailand Talks 2022. Additionally, it seeks to investigate how Thailand Talks contributes to the development of a deliberative thinking environment across four important aspects: normative, interpretive, affective, and physical. Methodologically, the research conducted in-depth interviews with both platform participants and organizers. The findings indicate that Thailand Talks embodies the idea of listening, connecting with strangers, and conversing with differing opinions. Creating an environment for deliberation in Thailand is difficult since conversation, particularly including differing opinions, is not ingrained in Thai society. However, Thailand Talks has successfully developed aspects of a deliberative thinking environment which enable conversation between individuals, a circumstance that would be unattainable otherwise and in which social hierarchy is disregarded. This study also shows that Thailand Talks can serve as a lesson for other societies on how to promote dialogue and deliberative initiatives.