Tanet Charoenmuang (OH_2015_001)

Dr Tanet Charoenmuang, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, has been leading a campaign for decentralisation and localisation since the early 1990s. His articles and books have been important parts of the campaigns for the people’s election of governors, the direct election of mayors, reconsideration of traditional Lanna culture costume, and the preservation of use of dialect among people in local areas. Three years of travels around the country working on decentralisation and education at the national level has enabled him to gain much knowledge of the problems both at national and local levels.

His past positions include: Advisor to Mr Chaturon Chaisang, Minister of the Premier Minister’s Office, 2001-2003, and Minister of Education, 2004-2005; elected member of Chiang Mai University Council, 2002-2004, 2004-2006;  Chair, Local Government Studies Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, CMU, 1991-1996; Chair, Wiang Ping Council (Chiang Mai Citizens Group), 2000-2003; Chair, Chiang Mai Urban Studies Center, 1997-1999; and currently Vice President, Chiang Mai Urban Development Institute Foundation (UDIF).

The interview was conducted over a period of 2 months, when he was attached to ISEAS as its Visiting Senior Fellow.