Rector defends Nitirat but slammed over 'gag order'
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Thammasat University rector Somkid Lertpaithoon yesterday defended the Nitirat group of law lecturers and its leader Worachet Pakeerut for seeking amendments to the lese-majeste law.
However, Worachet slammed the rector for imposing a ban on events related to the Penal Code’s Article 112 from being held inside the university compound. Describing the ban as a “gag order”, he said he had become the target of a “witch hunt”.
Somkid and Worachet gave separate interviews to the Kom Chad Luek television talk show, which was broadcast last night via satellite-based Nation Channel.
The rector said he believed that Nitirat, which includes some of the university’s law lecturers, had good intentions and did not want Article 112 to be enforced unnecessarily. He also said it was “untrue” that Worachet and other Nitirat members were ungrateful to the monarchy and were part of a movement to overthrow the institution. Worachet is also a law lecturer at the university.
“Nitirat has the constitutional right to hold their campaign. The problem is they have raised far too many issues and thus face opposition,” he said.
The rector said he agreed that Article 112 needs to be amended on certain points such as penalties, though he did not see too many problems with the clause in general. He said the problems involved enforcement of the code through the justice system.
“There is no need for an amendment right now,” he added.
The university management under Somkid’s leadership has banned the use of campus grounds for campaigning in relation to Article 112, drawing praise from detractors of Nitirat’s campaign and criticism from supporters.
Somkid said that as university rector, he faced pressure from both sides, though pressure from those who disagreed with Nitirat was stronger. “Over the past year that Nitirat has been allowed to campaign [inside the compound], we have received complaints from people on all levels. I listened to them and sought good justification. I could not listen to every call,” he said.
The rector also said he doubted if the campaign would get much more support.
“Judging from the current social atmosphere, I wonder how many people want Article 112 to be changed,” Somkid said. “It seems there are more people who do not want changes than those who do.”
He said that as opposition to the campaign grew, there was more a danger of violence.
“If Nitirat does not stop the campaign, I am afraid more people will come to the university, and there might be some who prefer to use violence,” Somkid said.
He also said that there would be factors that could not be controlled, such as people campaigning separately in support of Nitirat.
Worachet, meanwhile, insisted that the Nitirat group, comprised of seven academics, was independent and did not seek donations or benefits. “Nobody can order us about,” he said.
He also denied having anything to do with the red-shirt movement, saying that he did not like it when certain red-shirt leaders said Nitirat was like a limb of the red shirts.
“We have nothing to do with the red shirts but they might find our ideas pleasing,” he said.
