Thailand has strengthened its public dialogue on international humanitarian law through a joint initiative between the International Committee of the Red Cross and Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law, which hosted a screening of the Netflix series Tokyo Trial on 31 October. The event marked eighty years since the end of the Second World War and used the landmark post-war tribunal as an entry point into examining the enduring relevance of the rules governing armed conflict.

The screening forms part of a long-running partnership that has, since 2019, used film to make complex humanitarian principles accessible to a wider audience. Previous selections such as Eye in the Sky, All Quiet on the Western Front and First They Killed My Father explored modern warfare and its human impact, while this year’s choice revisited the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, widely seen as a foundation for contemporary mechanisms that prevent and respond to war-crimes.

A post-screening panel brought together experts in law, literature and humanitarian practice who traced the tribunal’s influence on concepts such as command responsibility, the protection of civilians and the evolution of today’s Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols. The discussion underscored that accountability for violations cannot rest solely on international courts; national legal systems must also be equipped to prevent abuses, enforce protections and educate armed forces. Speakers emphasised that prevention — through legislation, institutional readiness and public understanding — remains one of the most effective tools for upholding humanitarian norms.

Participants also highlighted the importance of embedding these principles within Thai society. The continuing collaboration between Thammasat University and the ICRC has become a notable national platform, translating the legal architecture of war into human stories that resonate with students, practitioners and the broader public. Organisers noted that the effort is helping to cultivate a deeper appreciation of international humanitarian law in Thailand, reinforcing the country’s commitment to justice, dignity and the protection of people affected by conflict.