Barrier’s Argument For Change in Thai Model UN

When we think of Model United Nations, the image of caffeine addicted teenagers in suits, rapping horribly constructed songs in the middle of the committee (as many of you have seen that reel on Instagram). Though that depiction may be true in some instances, the circuit is more than just roleplaying diplomats for plaques and certificates - it is a community of individuals who come from varying schools and nations. I’ve met MUNers who want to be doctors, engineers, artists, teachers, or even soldiers. They play rugby, football, volleyball, badminton, tennis, swim, and more. Unlike other circuits, Model UN lacks a clear unifying factor, except for the obvious point that its members all attend conferences throughout the year. This year is no different than the past; the “seniors”, who serve as experienced chairs and secretaries general, are leaving this community behind, speech after heartfelt speech. In their parting words, we often notice that they always refer to the three gifts they received from the circuit: 

1. A loving a supporting community that has dominated their personal lives

2. A new viewpoint on the world, learning not to take facts at face value and to challenge the status quo 

3. Massive development in their confidence, speaking skills, and critical thinking 

There are rarely activities, or even experiences in life as a whole, that offer such a wide variety of benefits for their participants. Said positives are supercharged by the fact that conferences are often academic and taken seriously, making success and progression a tangible and visible journey. 

However, parting speeches can only be made, and opportunities can only be reached if someone has access to these conferences in the first place. As of 2025, the average monthly income in households was 28,000THB. If food, rent, electricity, transportation, and school supplies were deducted, the amount of disposable income would amount to nearly nothing. This is not an issue for most international school students. To afford a private education, families would at least have to be identified in the upper band of the middle class. But to Thai students, who come from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, delegating can sometimes seem like an unreachable thing. This is not because they don’t have the know-how or education to do so, but because of reasons that these individuals cannot control. The MUN circuit operates almost completely in English, with the exception of clubs in prestigious Thai schools. High-quality, multi-day conferences (the most important events, often at the apex) typically cost between 800 and 1200 THB. This price tag is a big problem, as parents of low to middle-income households tend to be more reserved regarding costly events that require hours of preparation, transportation fees, and equipment such as computers and suits; this is purely because they must be careful of their savings, which influences the parenting culture.

As Secretary General of the Barriers Initiative, my role is to oversee the continuation of financial assistance programs, community outreach, and curriculum development - but I must also advocate for institutional change within the circuit. We’ve been so preoccupied with the process of hosting these conferences and participating in them that we have forgotten an entire demographic that might also benefit from our community. An international school student has a daily opportunity to practice their foreign language skills with peers and teachers, as well as engage in a foreign educational curriculum. Thai students who come from a different socioeconomic background do not have as many chances as we do. 

Barrier views this burden as a necessary responsibility that leaders in the circuit should address. This is not an issue of making things more comfortable, but addressing the very foundations that divide our nation along economic class and status.  Although they may not be asking us to create change, we must nevertheless take initiative to create a more equal and fair society based on the application of concepts such as the human right to a good education, a fair society that does not discriminate, and the societal burden of lifting each other up. 

Secretary Generals, advisors, and their student management committees can implement these starting changes to contribute to the mission: 

1. Directly reaching out to Thai schools with full English/ESL programs, inviting them to conferences 

2. Translating resources to be suitable for the Thai language or ESL learners 

3. Reserving a portion of the fees for providing financial assistance to Thai students 

4. Ensuring that attendance fees are justified and reasonably priced at a relatively affordable rate, proportional to the maintenance costs/person(McP), or 5-10% above the McP.