Visit by CALS Director to Thammasat University Faculty of Law for Academic Seminar and Collaborative Discussions (3-4 July 2025, Thailand)

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Thammasat University Faculty of Law, CALS Director Associate Professor Jaclyn Neo visited Bangkok from 3 to 4 July 2025 to deepen institutional ties and contribute to academic exchange. During her visit, she met with the newly appointed Dean of the Faculty of Law, Associate Professor Supreeya Kaewla-iad, to explore new avenues for collaboration between our two institutions.

A highlight of the visit was a special live-streamed seminar delivered by Associate Professor Neo titled “The Hidden Constitution: How Judges Use Constitutional Preambles to Legitimate Transformative Constitutional Interpretation.” Drawing from her forthcoming co-authored article, she invited the audience to rethink constitutional preambles as more than mere ceremonial statements. Instead, she argued, preambles are increasingly wielded by judges as powerful legal resources—used to support doctrines such as the basic structure, recognize unwritten rights, and articulate national constitutional identity. She explained that their aspirational and open-textured language makes them particularly attractive in bridging constitutional silences or justifying bold interpretive moves. Yet, she also cautioned against the risks of using preambles to override drafting intent or to entrench regressive or exclusionary values under the guise of constitutional identity.

The seminar sparked vibrant discussion, with insightful responses from a panel of distinguished discussants: Assistant Professor Dr. Lasse Schuldt (Thammasat University), Assistant Professor Dr. Rawin Leelapatana (Chulalongkorn University), and Dr. Apinop Atipiboonsin (Thammasat University). Their commentary offered comparative perspectives and raised important questions, particularly in the context of Thai constitutional law.

In addition to the seminar, Associate Professor Neo delivered a lecture on Singapore Constitutional Law to Thammasat law students as part of their summer semester course – Introduction to Singapore Law. This course, co-convened by CALS Researcher Mr. Toh Ding Jun and Dr. Keerakiat Pratai of Thammasat University, exemplifies our continued commitment to student exchange and regional legal education.

Photo Credit: Thammasat University

Related Links:

• CATPLI (The Centre for Asian Legal Studies – Thammasat University Faculty of Law Peer Learning Initiative)