The 13^th Thai Studies International Conference to be held in Chiangmai, 15-18 July 2017, aims to encourage international academics, including Shan, as participants, said Dr Chayan Vatanabhuti, a key organizer for the event, yesterday.

“Many are already familiar with veteran scholars like Dr Sai Aung Tun (who has written several research papers, including The History of Shan State: From its origins to 1962),” he said, during a meeting in Chiangmai. “We hope there will be younger scholars this time.”

The conference, which will be held at the Chiangmai International Convention and Exhibition Center, near the Chiangmai 700 Years Stadium, to commemorate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 7 Cycle Birthday Anniversary, will focus on Thai society, politics, economics, culture, and environment in the context of globalization that concerns relationships between Thai and other Tai-speaking groups residing in and outside of Thailand.

The Tai-speaking groups include Lao (in Laos), Tai (in Vietnam), Leu (in Xixuangbanna, Yunnan), Zhuang (in Guangxi) Ahom (in India) and Shan (in Burma). Tais, apart from the Chinese, are regarded by scholars as the most widely spread race in Asia.

The call for papers and abstracts submission has already begun in 15 January, the deadline for which is on 30 November.

Registration for participation, on the other hand, will open on 1 July (2016).

For more information, please visit http://www.icts13.chiangmai.cmu.ac.th