BOOK OF ABSTRACTS International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges 24–26 July 2015 Chiang Mai University INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES PREFACE The International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies, held during July 24–26, 2015, is an initiative of Chiang Mai University and the University of Mandalay to bring together scholars from Myanmar, Thailand, and beyond to learn from and exchange knowledge with each other about Burma/ Myanmar’s history, economy, culture, agricultural and environmental transformation, language, literature, and much more. The aim of this international conference is to work towards a better understanding of Myanmar’s transition toward peace and democratization, economic reforms, and ethnic politics, and its increased connection with a global society, as well as how Myanmar maintains its diverse cultures and traditions. It is hoped that the conference will stimulate further research and exchanges on issues related to Burma/Myanmar studies. This Book of Abstracts well demonstrates the diverse interests of scholars and students of Burma/Myanmar’s society and their concerns about the transformation, as well as its social and environmental consequences. The corresponding papers have been uploaded onto the RCSD website. Those who are interested in the full text of these papers are invited to visit our website at http://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th/web/Burma/home.php. Many people and organizations have put tremendous effort towards making this conference possible. We would like to thank all of the participants who have contributed their papers and will deliver presentations at the conference. Special thanks go to Vice President Rome Jiranukrom, Professor Lalita Harnwong, Dr. Patrick McCormick, Dr. Ashley South, Professor Matthew Walton, Dr. Thein Swe, and Chao Harn Yawnghwe for their advice and active organization of panels. We would also like to thank Garrett Kostin and Chris Mathews for compiling and editing all of the abstracts in this book. 3 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES The conference would not be possible without the generous support of the following organizations: Heinrich Böll Foundation, ICCO (Southeast Asia), Euro-Burma Office, Center for Research and Academic Services – Faculty of Social Sciences, and Bank of Thailand – Northern Branch. We would like to express our deep gratitude for their appreciation of the merit of the conference and their kind assistance. On behalf of the Conveners of ICBMS 2015, Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Ph.D. Director, Center for ASEAN Studies and Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University 4 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES Conference Committee President of Chiang Mai University Chairperson Rector of University Co-chairperson Vice-President for International Vice chairperson Relations and Alumni Affairs Pro Rector of University of Mandalay Co-vice chairperson for Academic Affairs Pro Rector of University of Mandalay Co-vice chairperson for Administrative Affairs Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Committee Dean of Political Science and Public Committee Administration Dean of Faculty of Architecture Committee Dean of Faculty of Fine Arts Committee Dean of Faculty of Humanities Committee Dean of Faculty of Education Committee Dean of Faculty of Economics Committee Dean of International College Committee Thapin Patcharanurak Committee and Secretary Director of the International Relations Committee and Assistant Division Secretary Academic Committee Chayan Vaddhanaphuti Chairperson Philippe M.F. Peycam Co-chairperson Patrick McCormick Committee Matthew Walton Committee Ashley South Committee Jane Ferguson Committee 5 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES Kevin Woods Committee Lalita Harnwong Committee Pichayaluck Pichayakul Committee Sant Suwatcharapinun Committee Nongyao Nawarat Committee Nisit Pantamit Committee Usamard Siampukdee Committee Amporn Jirattikorn Committee Nuthamon Kongcharoen Committee Director of Center for Research and Committee Academic Services, Faculty of Social Sciences Chusak Wittayapak Committee Head of Department of Social Science and Development Ajchara Wattanapinyo, Head of Committee Department of Geography Jamaree Chiengthong, Head of Committee Department of Sociology and Anthropology Thwin Pa Pa, Head of Law Department, Committee University of Mandalay Yee Yee Win, Head of History Committee Department, University of Mandalay Myat Mon Oo, Head of Philosophy Committee Department, University of Mandalay Mi Mi Gyi, Head of International Relations Committee and Political Science Department, University of Mandalay Thandar Soe, Head of English Department, Committee University of Mandalay Khin Myint Myint, Head of Oriental Studies Committee Department, University of Mandalay 6 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES Khin San Hlaing, Head of Psychology Committee Department, University of Mandalay Hlaing Wai Wai Hla, Head of Myanmar Committee Literature Department, University of Mandalay Aung Mon, Head of Archaeology Committee Department, University of Mandalay Nay Win, Head of Geography Department, Committee and Assistant University of Mandalay Secretary Associate Professor Ubonrat Pantumin Committee and Secretary Kanchana Kulpisithicharoen Committee and Assistant Secretary Samak Kosem Committee and Assistant Secretary Operations Committee Ampika Rattanapitak Chairperson Samak Kosem Committee Kanchana Kulpisithicharoen Committee Panitan Phambanyan Committee Pantinee Nestsupakuk Committee Chanida Puranapun Committee and Secretary 7 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES CONTENTS Preface ....................................................................................................................... 3 Committees ................................................................................................................ 5 Plenary: Transitional Myanmar and Reforms .......................................................... 16 Plenary: Building Myanmar’s Knowledge Sector: Challenges and Opportunities ... 17 Roundtable: Media and Its Role in Democratic Transition ...................................... 18 Roundtable: Recognise Our Education, Realise Our Dreams: Education, Myanmar, and Marginality ........................................................................................................ 20 Roundtable: Migrants, Disease, and Ecology: Policy Engagements for Transnational Sustainability ............................................................................................................ 22 Roundtable: Land Confiscation in Burma: Challenges and Prospects A Discussion on the Impact of Post‐Ceasefire Development in Burma's Ethnic Lands ..................... 23 Roundtable: Peace Process in Myanmar: An Update and The Way Forward .......... 24 Panel: Human Rights and Social Suffering among the Minorities ........................... 26 Panel: Religions from the Margin: Religious Movements across Thailand‐China‐ Myanmar Borders .................................................................................................... 27 Panel: Ethnic Politics and Citizenship ....................................................................... 28 Panel: Health and Community Engagement along the Thai‐Burmese Borderland . 30 Panel: A Work in Progress — Mae Sot SEZ: Migrant Workers, the Thai State, and Globalization ............................................................................................................ 31 Panel: (Il‐)licit economies in Shan State: Opium Cultivation and Agrarian Transformations in Shan State, Myanmar ............................................................... 32 Panel: Structures of Rural Dispossession and Resistances: Agrarian Political Economies, Land Grabs and Debt in Rural Myanmar .............................................. 34 Panel: Struggling in Dispossession and Displacement: Ethnic Peoples’ Networking, Identification, and Livelihood Strategies ................................................................. 36 Panel: Geographical Perspectives on Myanmar’s Transition: Towards Sustainable Socio‐Economic Development ................................................................................. 38 Panel: Tanintharyi Region in Transition: Transnational Dynamics and Local Responses ................................................................................................................ 40 Panel: Thai‐Burma Cross‐Border Education Linkages: Pathways to Developing an Effective, Accredited Education for Migrant Children and Youth from Burma ....... 42 Panel: Media, Culture, and Everyday Life in a Regionalising Myanmar .................. 44 Panel: Foreign Aid and Local Response in a Post‐Conflict State .............................. 45 7 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BURMA/MYANMAR STUDIES BURMA/MYANMAR IN TRANSITION: CONNECTIVITY, CHANGES AND CHALLENGES Adam P. MacDonald ...............................................................................................