KHON KAEN – The Faculty of Law at Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with the Provincial Police Region 4, has officially concluded the third iteration of its “Young Lawyers and Police Engagement Project” (YLPE). The closing ceremony for the program, also known as the “Law Laboratory,” was held on March 6, 2027.
The eight-week initiative, which ran through February and March 2027, is an integral part of the university’s “Modern Police Administration” course. Its primary objective is to provide law students with firsthand experience of police work, allowing them to observe the entire justice process from the initial stages of law enforcement to its conclusion.
Throughout the program, students participated in a comprehensive range of practical training and theoretical sessions. Topics included the history of the Thai police institution, emergency response protocols, bomb disposal, and active shooter scenarios. The curriculum also covered methods for handling individuals with mental health issues, providing future legal professionals with the necessary understanding to advise and operate effectively in such situations.
Reflecting contemporary challenges, the project featured in-depth training on investigating online crimes, a prevalent issue in the digital age. Students also studied drug-related cases and common traffic laws before moving on to post-incident procedures, such as forensic medicine and autopsy processes, which are crucial for evidence presentation in court.
Program highlights included practical exercises with a SWAT unit, crowd control simulations, and firearms training. These activities were designed to give students a realistic understanding of the conditions and limitations governing the police’s use of force. The project also incorporated community outreach to gather public perspectives on the justice system.
A key component that students found particularly insightful was the opportunity to observe the five main departments of a police station: investigation, detective work, traffic, crime prevention and suppression, and administration. This provided a holistic view of the real-world operational structure of law enforcement and how the laws they study are applied in practice.
At the closing ceremony, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppakao Somanas, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 4, remarked, “This project is more than just a course; it’s a collaboration to build well-rounded legal professionals who understand society and the justice process. When students see, experience, and work alongside police officers, they no longer view the justice system from a single perspective. This is the most valuable thing the Faculty of Law provides.”
Assistant Professor Bussakorn Prabnasak Thaithian, the project’s lead instructor, stated, “We designed this program so students understand the immense responsibilities police officers carry before a case ever reaches the courtroom. This understanding helps reduce prejudice between lawyers and police, fostering better future collaboration.” She noted the high student interest in the limited-enrollment course and praised their dedicated participation.
As a final project, the students produced and presented videos aimed at raising public awareness about various types of crime and related laws, which will be shared on online platforms.
