Thailand

Youth Talk on DreamCon: Crafting Our Dream Society and Constitution

The process of amending the current constitution is a widely discussed topic in Thailand. Criticized for its military influence, calls to amend the constitution to make it more democratic have gained momentum since an elected government came to power in 2023. However, progress has been slow due to ongoing political uncertainties.

Amid the discussions for constitution amendment in the parliament and elsewhere, FNF Thailand, in partnership with WeVis, Thammasat University, and the Thai Khadi Research Institute, organized a workshop titled “Dream Constitution” on 30th June 2025 at PUAY Park for the People, Thammasat University. The workshop welcomed more than sixty participants from diverse backgrounds, including university and high school students, civic activists, and concerned citizens.

The workshop served as a platform for young people to express their thoughts and dreams about drafting and proposing ideas for the current constitution. As the supreme law of Thailand, the constitution should be inclusive—everyone, especially young people, should have the opportunity to voice their wishes, dreams, and opinions about it.

Constitution in everyday life

In the morning, the workshop started with lectures on how constitutions form the foundation of political, social, and economic interactions in every country. Dr. Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul, Programme Manager of FNF Thailand, and Dr. Vannapar Tirasangka of Thammasat University delivered keynote speeches on the importance of constitutions in everyday life.

This was followed by a session exploring how the constitution shapes day-to-day life. Participants reflected on key questions such as: How does a constitution shape everyday life? How do institutions from the constitution receive their legitimacy? And in what ways can independent organs empower or constrain us?

Legos as the constitution

In the afternoon, the interactive part started. The participants were divided into five groups and tasked with connecting Lego blocks to represent the constitution in their own view. Then, participants engaged in a discussion about the society they want to live in and what basic rights the constitution should guarantee.

The discussions evolved into shared visions of a better constitution. Then, each group presented its version of an ideal constitution. As the Lego bricks clicked together, so did a deeper understanding of what an inclusive constitution should look like.

Eventually, all groups came together to create one combined model of a Dream Constitution. Five key themes emerged as their collective hopes for a future constitution:

• Rghts liberty and true representation.
• Social welfare and a strong social safety net.
• Equal distribution of power and government investment.
• Economy that allows people to sustain themselves, and encourages upward social mobility.
• Independent institutions that truly represent the people.           

At the end of the event, each participant wrote a postcard expressing their dreams for constitutional amendments and their vision for a better future. These postcards will be delivered to the Constitutional Drafting Committee once it is set up.

This workshop is part of the “Dream Constitution Project,” which aims to raise awareness about the importance of the constitution and gather ideas and dreams from diverse groups across Thailand, especially from young people, regarding the constitution they aspire to have. Future Dream Constitution workshops will be held at institutions across the country, with the next one scheduled at Rangsit University.

Read: Youth Voices on Dream Constitution for perspectives from participants

Kwin Veeravanichpattana is an intern at FNF Thailand.