The Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) participated in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UN Crime Congress), held from 26 September to 1 October 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, under the theme:
“Accelerating crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: protecting people and planet and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age.”
As an institute of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network of Institutes (UN-PNI), TIJ contributed to advancing international cooperation through statements, side meetings, workshops, and the sharing of knowledge and innovation. These efforts focused on promoting people-centred criminal justice systems, with key areas of engagement as follows:
Opening Ceremony and Exhibition: The Glorious Commemoration of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha: The Legacy of Justice Reform, Human Legacy and Rule of Law
The Thai delegation, led by Pol. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, Minister of Justice of Thailand, together with Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavarangkul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand, representatives from relevant agencies, and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), led by Prof. Dr. Kittipong Kittiyarak, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director, and TIJ staff, attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
The exhibition commemorated the contributions and legacy of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha and highlighted her dedication to justice reform and the rule of law.
High-Level Segment
Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), delivered a statement during the High-Level Segment, emphasising the importance of justice systems that understand and respond to people’s needs, are informed by evidence-based data, and translate international standards into practice.
TIJ highlighted key initiatives, including the Justice Needs Survey, the Bangkok Rules Accelerator, and efforts to strengthen crime data.
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Advancing the Bangkok Rules and the Treatment of Prisoners and Offenders
Global Prison Trends: Progress Made, Challenges Ahead, Trends to Watch
Organised by Penal Reform International (PRI)
Dr. Yodsawadi Thipphayamongkolud, Senior Project Manager, TIJ, joined the panel discussion to exchange perspectives on global prison trends and the challenges facing prison systems worldwide. She also presented a people-centred approach to prison reform, with a focus on human rights, rehabilitation, and sustainable reintegration into society.
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> Read the Global Prison Trends 2026 Report
Accelerating the Implementation of the Bangkok Rules: Special event in remembrance of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha
Lead by TIJ in collaboration with UNODC
Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavarangkul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand, delivered the opening remarks, while Prof. Dr. Kittipong Kittiyarak, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of TIJ, delivered commemorative remarks in remembrance of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
The event featured exchanges on approaches to improving the treatment and care of women prisoners, promoting non-custodial measures, and supporting reintegration into society. Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, delivered the closing remarks, reaffirming the commitment to advancing the implementation of the Bangkok Rules, carrying forward Her Royal Highness’s dedication, and commemorating her contributions to justice reform.
Promoting Implementation of the Model Strategies on Reducing Reoffending (the Kyoto Model Strategies)
by the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute (UNAFEI)
Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, shared experiences in applying the principles of the Bangkok Rules in practice, in alignment with the United Nations Model Strategies on the Reduction of Reoffending (Kyoto Model Strategies).
The discussion highlighted key approaches including individualisation, throughcare, evaluation and monitoring, and partnership-building, with the aim of creating sustainable opportunities for successful reintegration into society.
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Fast Tracking Collaboration to Implement the Bangkok Rules
by Women Beyond Walls
Miss Chontit Chuenurah, Director of the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, TIJ, joined the discussion on structural factors contributing to women’s imprisonment, including poverty, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
She also shared experiences, progress, and challenges in implementing the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules), while emphasising the importance of collaboration in accelerating the implementation of the Bangkok Rules and translating them into tangible outcomes.
Lived Experience, Co-Production and Global Penal Reform: Embedding Ethical Lived Experience Knowledges in Criminal Justice Systems
by Penal Reform International (PRI)
Miss Chontit Chuenurah, Director of the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, TIJ, contributed to efforts to create space for the voices, knowledge, and expertise of people with lived experience of the criminal justice system to become an integral part of discussions on criminal justice reform at the international level.
The discussion highlighted the importance of incorporating lived experience into policy design and the meaningful development of justice systems, while respecting rights, dignity, and continuous participation.
Implementing the Bangkok Rules: Alternatives to Pre-trial Detention
by TIJ, ICCLR, and ILANUD
Miss Chontit Chuenurah, Director of the Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, TIJ, shared approaches to promoting alternatives to pre-trial detention that take into account gender-specific contexts and needs.
The discussion explored the use of alternatives to detention that are consistent with the Bangkok Rules and international standards, with the aim of reducing unnecessary detention. Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, delivered the closing remarks.
Promoting Access to Justice
Implementing Restorative Justice to Enhance Access to Justice
by the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ)
Mr. Ukrit Sornprohm, Head of Policy and International Affairs on the Rule of Law and Criminal Justice, TIJ, joined the discussion to share Thailand’s experience in applying restorative justice approaches, particularly through the RJ in Schools project.
The project aims to prevent conflicts, reduce violence, and expand opportunities for repairing harm.
Building Regional Legal Aid Networks: Advancing Cooperation, Capacity and Cross-Border Support
by UNODC
Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, shared insights from a workshop on promoting legal aid in Southeast Asia held in Bangkok the previous year.
He presented approaches to developing regional legal aid networks that can effectively connect service providers, match legal assistance with people’s needs, and facilitate cross-border case referrals.
Data and Innovation in Criminal Justice
Advancing Innovative Evidence and Data Collection Experiences on Violence Against Women and Violence Against Children in an Increasingly Digital World
by The National Institute for Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI)
Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, exchanged perspectives on approaches to improving the measurement and collection of data related to violence against women and children, including technology-related violence.
The discussion highlighted the use of Justice Needs Surveys, capacity-building for frontline personnel, justice journey analysis, and crime classification standards to help address gaps in the collection and understanding of violence-related data.
From Principles to Practice: Advancing Investigative Interviewing Techniques to Accelerate Justice
by UNODC
Mrs. Santanee Ditsayabut, Senior Expert Public Prosecutor, Criminal Litigation Division 1, Criminal Litigation Office, Office of the Attorney General, and Mr. Kawin Maurizio Marzani, Project Assistant, TIJ, served as speakers in the discussion on developments in investigative interviewing in Thailand.
The session explored approaches to investigative interviewing that uphold human rights and international standards, as well as lessons learned and challenges. The discussion aimed to support effective fact-finding and promote the systematic and sustainable adoption of investigative interviewing practices across criminal justice institutions.
Sharing and Exchanging TIJ Knowledge as a UN-PNI
Workshop 3: Getting Ahead – Strengthening Data Collection and Analysis to Better Protect People and Planet in Times of New, Emerging and Evolving Forms of Crime
TIJ, in collaboration with UNODC, hosted its first official workshop at the UN Crime Congress, providing a platform to exchange approaches to strengthening crime data collection and analysis.
The workshop covered future trend forecasting, international standards, data privacy and security, and the use of data to address emerging forms of crime, while promoting international cooperation.
Mr. Kittipoom Neamhom, Expert in Policy Coordination, TIJ, served as moderator, while Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen, Executive Director of TIJ, delivered the closing remarks.
From Training to Impact: The PNI’s Contribution to Strengthening Criminal Justice through Capacity-Building
As an institute of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network of Institutes (UN-PNI), TIJ presented the Training on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for Southeast Asia (T4SEA) programme, jointly implemented by TIJ Academy and UNODC.
The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of criminal justice practitioners across Southeast Asia by facilitating the exchange of good practices and developing approaches to sustainable capacity-building in the criminal justice sector.
The Twists of Life: Boardgame for Justice Education
TIJ launched the “The Twists of Life” board game internationally for the first time through the PNI Lab.
The activity introduced and demonstrated the game to help participants understand pathways to imprisonment through stories drawn from research and the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated people. It also invited participants to explore issues of inequality, vulnerability, and opportunities within society.
Promoting people-centred, inclusive and responsive criminal justice systems in a world of continuous change
Miss Nichapa Limsiritong, Senior Policy Coordination Officer, TIJ, represented TIJ in delivering a statement on developing people-centred, inclusive, and responsive justice systems in a world of continuous change.
She emphasised the importance of collaboration among all sectors, the responsible use of technology, and designing services that respond to diverse needs.
TIJ remains committed to strengthening cooperation with UNODC, Member States, and international partners, building on knowledge and good practices gained from the global platform to further advance policy development and practical implementation.
Through continued collaboration and knowledge exchange, TIJ seeks to contribute to effective justice systems that uphold human dignity and ensure that no one is left behind.
