On March 30, 2026, Mrs. Prakairatana Thontiravong, President of the Institute for Education and Development of Conflict Management by Peaceful Means Foundation (I.D.P.), was invited by the Community Relations Division of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to serve as a guest speaker and lead a practical workshop in the “Issue Management in Community Relations” program for EGAT officers
During the initial session, Mrs. Prakairatana Thontiravong delivered an in-depth lecture on “Guidelines for Community Negotiation and the Process of Creating Safe Spaces for Negotiation through Restorative Circles, including Scenario-Based Practical Training”. She emphasized that the heart of negotiation is “coexistence,” not winning, but rather finding sustainable, mutually beneficial (Win-Win) solutions. She highlighted the distinction between “bargaining,” which often results in winners and losers, and “negotiation,” a formal process aimed at long-term cooperation. This approach aims to shift perspectives from mere bargaining to creatively finding joint solutions, while also imparting a 3-step strategy for facilitating Restorative Circles in actual fieldwork.
The program continued with a session on “Community Communication Skills and Communicating with Dissenting Voices,” honored by the presence of Dr. Suthada Mekavongsakul, Advisor to the I.D.P. Foundation Board,. The content equipped participants with the “3 C’s” principle for conflict resolution: Communication, Collaboration, and Compromise. She also shared effective communication techniques, such as Active Listening, using positive language, employing open-ended questions, and summarizing, to foster accurate understanding and prevent community conflicts.
A major highlight was the practical exercise on “Creating Safe Spaces for Negotiation through Sentencing Circles,” adapting concepts from Restorative Justice. This meeting format excels at establishing a “safe space” for dialogue by utilizing symbolic rules, such as the “Talking Stick,” which is passed around the circle, granting the right to speak only to the person holding it. This method promotes equality in the conversation, reduces pressure, compels everyone to practice active listening without judgment, and creates an opportunity for exchanging ideas that leads to universally satisfactory solutions and it includes a structured follow-up process to monitor the outcomes of the discussions.
“Opening Safe Spaces, Connecting Organizations and Communities for Sustainable Success.”
In the final segment of the training, scenario simulations were conducted, allowing participants to practice facilitating a Restorative Circle themselves, taking on roles as both lead facilitators and assistants. The I.D.P. Foundation sincerely hopes that the knowledge imparted regarding negotiation, communication skills, and Restorative Circle facilitation will serve as vital tools for EGAT officers to actively listen to community voices, prevent and resolve disputes, and build sustainable cooperation between the organization and the communities it serves.