Understandings of child and youth participation in the context of Thailand’s policy and programme development through the lens of children, young people and policymakers

This article investigates how Thai children and young people (CYP) and policymakers conceptualise child and youth participation, especially within the framework of national policy and programme development. The study applied a case study methodology to recruit participants for national and local case studies. Computer-mediated interviews were employed to conduct interviews with 38 research participants. The findings identify two primary thematic interpretations. The first perspective emphasises the empowering of CYP to voice their opinions to adults openly and without restriction. The second understanding promotes the involvement of CYP in community development efforts to solve the challenges facing their community.