The 5th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies concludes in Chiang Mai

The 5th International Conference on Burma Studies (ICBMS5) officially concluded at Chiang Mai University (CMU) on Aug. 16. Under the theme “Between Crisis & Possibility,” the three-day international gathering brought together scholars, civil society leaders, researchers, and activists to examine Myanmar’s political trajectory, humanitarian crisis, and emerging local governance models following the 2021 military coup. The ICBMS5 registered 1,217 participants, with a final physical attendance of 989 people representing diverse academic and natoinal backgrounds. During the conference, 376 speakers presented across 81 academic panel sessions, four plenary discussions, documentary film screenings, and curated photo exhibitions took place. Dr. Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Chair of the ICBMS5 organizing committee, highlighted the vision behind the conference theme, describing Myanmar’s current state as a prolonged “interregnum,” a transitional period where the old regime has lost authority but a new order has not yet fully taken hold. “The meaning of the title of this conference is between crisis and imagination: how can we bring people to think together to find what we call a moral and political community, or reimagine communities for Myanmar people? This cannot be done through force or violence to win the might of the military, but by building a consensus among local people to let them build their own rules and regulations,” Dr. Chayan told DVB. Conference organizers noted that despite ongoing regional conflict, displacement, and geopolitical challenges, ICBMS5 served as an active space for cross-border collaboration and bottom-up solutions. Surichai Wun’gaeo, Emeritus Professor at Chulalongkorn University, emphasized that the high turnout demonstrated resilience and proactive engagement among participants and younger generations rather than despair. “It tells a lot that there are people who are very engaged; they act and do whatever they can in education and in new ways. This energy of a new generation of participants and very diverse topics shows there is still a lot of potential for the future,” Surichai told DVB. The conference featured key plenary sessions covering complex regional responses, border trade disruptions, resource exploitation, and displacement caused by military conscription and conflict. Organizers confirmed that planning is already underway for ICBMS6, scheduled to take place in two years, which will focus further on local economic survival and cross-border research networks. The ICBMS5 concluded with a musical event titled “Lann Sone,” organized in collaboration with Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), an Asia-Pacific-based human rights organization. The concert featured live performances by AJAR President Patrick Burgess, as well as Myanmar artists Shu Shu, Shwe, Broody’s, and Mu Shi.