The transition to democracy is very interesting at present. If we compare cases of countries with good examples of the transition from dictatorship or rule by oligarchy to genuine democratic government, what can we learn about the processes and development, especially in cases from our region such as Indonesia? From a study of government democratic transition process using Dankwart A. Rustow’s Transitions to Democracy framework, it was found that Indonesia has effectively promoted the transition to democracy. The concrete indicators are democracy, transparency, and freedom of the press and the people to express their political opinions. Levels of these indicator rose and remain higher than in other neighboring countries.

Democratic transition in Indonesia will still require many decades. Transition started in the 1960s, during the Sukarno era, and continued later in the 1970s and 1980s under Suharto’s New Order. The 1990s were an important time for democratic transition. Nowadays, it is evident that the role and political influence of the Indonesian military has diminished and the civil and people’s sector has grown. Previously, the military was the backbone of the government in each era. Indonesia’s democratic transition process is an excellent case study that provides unique, interesting lessons for Thailand’s democratic transition.

King Prajadhipok’s Institute recognizes the importance of providing short course training to KPI’s course participants and other interested people, with speakers invited from the institute’s partners in Indonesia to share knowledge  and opinions and exchange ideas and experiences to develop sustainable peaceful democracy in Thailand.