Despite the idyllic portrayal of Thailand as the “land of smiles” and a haven of natural beauty, the restriction on freedom of the press has fostered an environment where individuals are hesitant to express their opinions openly. Having grown up in Thailand, Preeyanun Atikarnbodee, a 17-year-old girl, decided to break free from the status quo by challenging the prevailing norms. Driven by her passion for political science and international relations, in 2023, she founded the Devil’s Advocates Journal, where she serves as the Editor-in-Chief.
The Devil’s Advocates Journal is a social science journal which provides a safe space for writers to express their perspectives freely about issues regarded as taboo. Preeyanun has facilitated this safe space by offering writers the opportunity to publish their articles under a pen name. Through this approach, individuals can freely express themselves without fear of reprisal, as their identities remain undisclosed, thus safeguarding them from potential harassment or repercussions from their community or government entities.
As a student at Cheltenham Ladies College, a school consistently ranked as one of the best all-girls schools in the UK, the journal started as an in-school publication. However, with Preeyanun’s relentless drive to broaden the journal’s impact to empower a larger number of individuals across the world, she has since expanded the organization to having Chapters at over eight schools across the globe: in the UK, US and Thailand; in top schools such as Shrewsbury International School, Westminster School and Downe House School. To create a plethora of different opinions, she has recruited writers from over a dozen nationalities to share their unique perspectives. Since the journal’s establishment, it has accumulated a readership of over 2,000 reads. Besides its international reach, its publications have received recognition from scholars such as Dr. Yuttaporn Issarachai, an Associate Professor at Sukhothai Thammathirat University, who is a member of their Advisory Board.
The Devil’s Advocates Journal is a social science journal which provides a safe space for writers to express their perspectives freely about issues regarded as taboo. Preeyanun has facilitated this safe space by offering writers the opportunity to publish their articles under a pen name. Through this approach, individuals can freely express themselves without fear of reprisal, as their identities remain undisclosed, thus safeguarding them from potential harassment or repercussions from their community or government entities.
As a student at Cheltenham Ladies College, a school consistently ranked as one of the best all-girls schools in the UK, the journal started as an in-school publication. However, with Preeyanun’s relentless drive to broaden the journal’s impact to empower a larger number of individuals across the world, she has since expanded the organization to having Chapters at over eight schools across the globe: in the UK, US and Thailand; in top schools such as Shrewsbury International School, Westminster School and Downe House School. To create a plethora of different opinions, she has recruited writers from over a dozen nationalities to share their unique perspectives. Since the journal’s establishment, it has accumulated a readership of over 2,000 reads. Besides its international reach, its publications have received recognition from scholars such as Dr. Yuttaporn Issarachai, an Associate Professor at Sukhothai Thammathirat University, who is a member of their Advisory Board.
To further expand their reach in Thailand, on February 16th 2024, Preeyanun held a recruitment event at the Salil Hotel Riverside - Bangkok, drawing an audience of over 30 students. At this event, she aimed to recruit new writers and Chapter Leaders to establish more Chapters in Thailand.
Looking forward, on April 13th, 2024, the journal will hold another event in Hong Kong at the Kellett School (Kowloon Bay Campus), symbolizing its steadfast commitment to broadening its global impact.
No matter what your opinions are, the Devil’s Advocates Journal eagerly invites you to join its movement. You are encouraged to contribute your distinct perspective by submitting articles or, better yet, by initiating a chapter of the journal at your school. Additional information regarding these opportunities is available on their website, www.devilsadvocatesjournal.com, or on their Instagram page, @devilsadvocatesjournal.
No matter what your opinions are, the Devil’s Advocates Journal eagerly invites you to join its movement. You are encouraged to contribute your distinct perspective by submitting articles or, better yet, by initiating a chapter of the journal at your school. Additional information regarding these opportunities is available on their website, www.devilsadvocatesjournal.com, or on their Instagram page, @devilsadvocatesjournal.
