CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR THE BACHELOR OF LAWS IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT OF THAILAND’S SOUTHERN BORDER PROVINCES: A CASE STUDY OF PATTANI BUDDHIST COLLEGE, MAHACHULALONGKORNRAJAVIDYALAYA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Thailand’s southern border provinces constitute a distinctive context characterized by religious, cultural, linguistic diversity and a history of protracted conflict. Consequently, the development of legal professionals in this region cannot rely solely on conventional legal education frameworks. This article aims to analyze key concepts and propose guidelines for developing a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) curriculum that is responsive to the multicultural context of the southern border provinces. The study draws upon the conceptual frameworks of multicultural education, peace studies, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis indicates that the LL.B. curriculum should integrate legal knowledge with cultural, religious, and community-based understanding in order to produce graduates capable of practicing law with legitimacy, justice, and sensitivity to local contexts. Such an approach can contribute to sustainable peacebuilding and social cohesion in Thailand’s southern border region.