Preventing and Resolving Violence through International Standards in the Thai Context: A Training Program on Dispute Mediation for Restorative Conflict Management Under the Mediation Act B.E. 2562

The training course on dispute mediation for restorative conflict management under the Mediation Act B.E. 2562, certified by the National Justice Administration Development Committee, serves as an essential tool for managing criminal conflicts in line with international standards and United Nations principles, as outlined in the "Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters." This course effectively contributes to reducing violence in Thai society. To enhance mediators' knowledge of restorative mediation processes, relevant legal frameworks, and essential skills for acting as intermediaries in conflict management, the Academic Services Center of Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and the Thailand Institute of Justice (Public Organization), organized a training program on dispute mediation for restorative conflict management. The course, conducted from July 3-19, 2024, included both online and on-site sessions, totaling 54 hours of training. The program was attended by 29 participants from government agencies, civil society organizations, and the academic sector, all involved in the justice process and conflict management across various contexts. All participants (100%) successfully completed the program, with overall satisfaction rated at the highest level (x̄ = 4.88, S.D. = 0.05). The modules "Psychology for Communication and Body Language in Mediation" (Module 3) and "Practical Training in Mediation of Civil, Criminal, and Public Issues Using Simulated Scenarios" (Module 5) received the highest satisfaction scores, with ratings of (x̄ = 4.99, S.D. = 0.03) and (x̄ = 4.99, S.D. = 0.15), respectively. In order to provide greater benefits to participants, the duration of the "Practical Training in Mediation of Civil, Criminal, and Public Issues Using Simulated Scenarios" (Module 5) should be extended more than a day or the online training format should be adjusted to be entirely on-site.