Bangkok (The Nation/ANN) - After receiving strong criticism, Thailand's Thammasat University's executive board will next week review its resolution to ban campaigning to amend the law on lese majeste on its campuses.
Thammasat rector Somkid Lertpaitoon said the university's resolution last Monday had supporters and opponents, so the board would discuss the ban on February 13 to bring about correct understanding. He insisted that the resolution was not a bid to block freedom of academic expression.
'Full freedom'
Somkid said the university had full freedom on every square inch. It was not trying to close people's eyes and ears, or ban university lecturers and students from discussing Article 112. It had also not banned anyone from soliciting signatures to support amendments.
"We only want the activity to be purely academic and not political because it might cause rifts in society," he said.
"We have not banned the Nitirat group, but we do not allow every group to stage political moves hat involve Article 112 at the university.
"The university can carry out activities on Article 112 but if the activities turn into a political campaign and lead to conflicts and divisions, I have to take responsibility and I must take action,'' Somkid said.
Worajet Pakeerat, a key member of Nitirat, yesterday welcomed the university's decision to review the ban.
He said he felt the university move last week was not right.
"I believe that it deprives academic freedom and rights. Soliciting signatures to amend the law is a constitutional right,'' he said.
Worajet criticised the mainstream media for failing to publicise the rationale behind his group's call to change Article 112.
He insisted that the group did not intend to topple the monarchy, and said he had no problem if the university wanted to launch a disciplinary investigation into his group.
"I do not feel isolated even though the government and MPs do not agree with amending Article 112. I am not an ally of the Pheu Thai Party and not the left hand or right hand of the red shirts, as claimed,'' he said.
He said the move to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, which involves lese majeste offences - defaming the monarchy - had been used as an instrument to sabotage political rivals.
"The proposal is being used as a political tool. There has been mudslinging without basis in fact, and the mainstream media does not present reasons and give the public well-informed information on the issues,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Yukti Mukdawichit, a Thammasat lecturer and member of the Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Article 112, said although the number of people who opposed the campaign had risen and spurred anti-public sentiment, his group would continue by setting up a mobile committee to spearhead the move in different places and gather signatures from supporters.
'Violence against the law'
He insisted that Article 112 was unconstitutional and violated democratic principles.
"We are willing to listen to reasons from opponents but if anyone threatens to use force and violence against us, we will ask if they do it to protect the institution or for their own interest. Any violent action is against the law. Soliciting signatures to amend the law is a right guaranteed by the Constitution,'' he said.
Yukti was speaking at the October 14 monument. Previous meetings were held at Thammasat University.
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