By Chainarong Monthienvichienchai
THAILAND – A Catholic scholar dedicated to restoring justice and reconciliation in Thailand’s conflict-ridden southern border provinces has earned top recognition from Mahidol University.
The institution, based in Bangkok’s western suburb, awarded her project the first prize for Innovation in Democratic Development (Community Category).
The award, presented on Oct 2, recognizes the project Interfaith Friendship for Sustainable Peacebuilding from the Grassroots, led by Assistant Professor Dr Padtheera Anna Narkurairattana from the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP) at Mahidol University.
Just weeks earlier, the same project had been honored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as Thailand’s “Outstanding Democratic Innovation Award” winner — a rare double recognition highlighting the project’s national significance.
For more than 20 years, Thailand’s Deep South has endured relentless violence rooted in ethnic, historical, and economic grievances. Communities that once lived peacefully — Buddhists and Muslims — have been torn apart by mistrust and fear.
Dr Padtheera, affectionately called Ajarn Rung by her students, has spent years working among these communities, building bridges where violence once created deep divides.
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