From dusk till dawn

Thammasat University was yesterday urged to review its board decision to prohibit the use of its campus to campaign against the lese-majeste law as it affected the freedom of expression.
The university yesterday issued the board decision. It said the university would not allow any group to use the campus to hold activities or campaign for the amendment of Article 112 of the penal Code.
“A university is [an important] a place to drive academic development. Banning its staff from expressing their opinions is like destroying the pillar of the university, which is freedom of expression,” a statement re-leased by Thammasat Univer-sity’s Student Union stated.
The Thammasat University’s board decision was issued on Monday in a move that would likely apply more heat to the controversial Nitirat group, which advocates changes to the law. The reason behind the decision was the fear of more conflict and chaos if the campus continued allowing the use of its facilities for such rallies. The decision was revealed by its rector Somkit Lertpaithoon through his Facebook website.
The student union said it insisted on freedom of expression within the university and respected different opinions no matter where they came from – as long as the opinions were not unlawful.
“On behalf of Thammasat students who have various opinions, we guarantee that Thammasat is not a political group. It is the beauty of different opinions that represents the true Thammasat,” the statement said.
Former Thammasat rector Chanvit Kasetsiri wrote a letter to Somkit, the current rector, opposing the board decision through his website charnvitkasetsiri.com
The letter said the decision was against the intention and spirit of the founding of The University of Moral and Political Sciences as well as its tradition that insisted in the principles of freedom, equality, and fraternity.
In the letter, Chanvit voiced support for Nitirat’s proposal on the amendment of lese-majeste law, defending the group wanting to use academic principles to reform and amend Article 112, which were not intended to topple the monarchy.
“The rector and the board should open the space [in the campus] and organise sessions for sharing, discussion, and finding a solution for the country. All education centres and universities should be neutral organisations to help seek a way out. Brainstorming of pro and con opinions is the most important and urgent mission,” Chanvit wrote.
Meanwhile, students and alumni of the Journalism and Mass Communication Faculty are scheduled today to hold a parade to show their opposition to the Nitirat group at the faculty at Tha Pracha campus.