The three-day “Thailand Talking” competition, held in English, was hosted by the British-American Studies Programme of Thammasat University, with support from the European Union (EU).

Eighteen teams from four institutes of higher education participated in the tournament: MUIC, Thammasat, Assumption University and Chulalongkorn University. Each team consisted of three members debating opposite sides of an issue.

The final round pitted two MUIC teams against each other. The topic: whether the EU should be granted a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

After an hour of debate, eight of the nine judges voted MUIC II the champion for its argument against the EU being granted a permanent seat. Chief adjudicator Peejay Garcia said the judges were impressed with the team’s compelling, logical presentation.

“The team supporting a permanent seat argued that the EU had a large budget with which to support the work of the UN,” said Peejay. “But the opposing team convinced the judges that a permanent seat would reduce the credibility of the UN, especially since poorer members – like those from Asean or African nations – would believe they were being treated differently, because they lacked the money to support the UN. That would affect the UN stability.”

Three criteria were used to select the winner: depth of research; delivery of arguments; and ability to react quickly to new ideas.

Dithaya Punyaratabandhu, 20, a member of the winning team, said she researched topics for a month but still wasn’t sure she was ready.

“I think the competition made me more confident about my ability to debate. Now I can think and speak faster, but the greatest benefit is that I learned to work with a team,” said Dithaya, who also was named Best Speaker of the Grand Final.

She said her team prepared for the competition by sharing their research and building sound arguments, so that each member understood the topics and could speak in a uniform voice.

The winning MUIC team received trophy and an internship with the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce.

The tournament’s participants noted that debating is much more popular at Western schools than in Thailand, where such competitions were rare.

“We need more sponsors willing to support English-language debates in Thailand, including the Thai government,” said Rattana Lao of the British-American Studies Programme at Thammasat. “Competitions like this help Thai students think and speak as debaters. You have to know both sides of an issue to beat your opponent. Similarly, in daily life you should always consider the pros and cons of every argument.”

The competition was organised to promote English-language debate in Thailand and provide students knowledge of EU countries, said Piranya Bunnag, British-American Studies Programme director and tournament adviser.

“The tournament taught everyone how to work as a team and speak in public. Moreover, these kids were encouraged to think for themselves and speak out,” said Piranya.

Rattana said Thailand’s educational system still does not encourage students to think independently or voice their opinions. She hoped that tournaments like this would set the stage for students to do just that.

“Debate is an essential element of democracies, which give people the freedom of speech,” said Rattana, who was a Thammasat debater and named one of the tournament’s best speakers. “I believe students who become debaters learn to conduct research and use reasoning to participate in the democratic process.”

Ploybussara Longsomboon

Watchara Saengsrisin