May 9, 2026
The Institute for Education and Development of Conflict Management by Peaceful Means Foundation (I.D.P.) has proudly joined forces to drive the resolution of national environmental crises. The foundation provided its academic expertise and innovative approaches to support the Public Service Center of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (OPM), in hosting a public hearing and problem-solving forum addressing wastewater and oil spill discharges into the sea. The event took place at the Kantary Bay Hotel in Mueang District, Rayong Province.
Organized under the OPM’s fiscal year 2026 project aimed at promoting public participation and building relations with service recipients, the forum was presided over by Mr. Nopporn Boonkaew, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office. His presence highlighted the strong commitment of the government and the OPM to alleviating the hardships of citizens in key economic and tourist hubs that have suffered severe impacts on both marine ecosystems and local fisheries. Over 80 representatives from relevant sectors, including the Pollution Control Department, the Marine Department, local administrative organizations, and civic networks, attended the event.
As the academic supporting partner, the I.D.P. Foundation introduced the “Restorative Justice Circle,” a methodology developed by Mrs. Prakairatana Thontiravong, as the core operational framework of the forum. This innovative interaction design consists of three rigorous steps: preparation, a five-round circle process, and agreement formulation. It successfully established a “safe space” where all stakeholders could engage in constructive dialogue entirely free from prejudice and blame.
A key mechanism the foundation applied at the OPM forum was the “Talking Stick” rule, a symbolic tool that guarantees equal speaking rights. Coupled with the practice of “Deep Listening”, this approach empowered affected communities, business operators, and government agencies to de-escalate tense conflicts and genuinely hear each other’s grievances.
The outcome of this Restorative Justice Circle yielded a tangible, shared success. It significantly shifted the public paradigm, transforming citizens from mere “complainants” into active “problem-solving partners” working alongside the government sector. Furthermore, the assembly reached a consensus to establish the “Rayong Vigilant Wastewater Surveillance Network” to serve as a robust long-term monitoring and coordinating mechanism. An Aide-Mémoire was also drafted as a collaborative commitment to earnestly protect and restore Rayong’s marine environment.
The I.D.P. Foundation is deeply honored and proud to support the OPM in transforming environmental disputes into participatory problem-solving. It is highly anticipated that this collaborative model will serve as a vital foundation for the sustainable growth of the Green Economy. Moving forward, the OPM will compile the insights and recommendations gathered from the forum to present to the Prime Minister, aiming to formulate comprehensive problem-solving measures at the national policy level.