Thammasat uniform row elicits modest proposal
TALK OF dividing Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus into east and west sections, mimicking the former East and West Berlin, after a row over whether students should have the right not to wear uniforms, has been variously described as satire, a sign of
Aum Neko, a self-proclaimed transgender and sophomore German-language student at Thammasat who launched a debate-cum-protest by producing stylised posters of students in uniform having sex, told The Nation that at the heart of the controversy is a struggle for the fundamental freedom for students.
“We’re trying to say that even the uniform that clothes us cannot control our human nature,” Aum said, referring to her campaign posters, which have shocked some, not just on campus but also in the wider society.
Aum said she respects the right of students who want to wear a uniform, but discounted the idea that enforcing the donning of student uniforms could eliminate class differentiation between rich and poor students. Students can still flaunt their wealth through such trappings as designer handbags, iPhones and other accessories.
“If wearing a uniform truly leads to discipline and will make them good, Thailand would be ahead of America or Europe by now,” she said.
When asked about the talk of separating the university into east and west sides, Aum said nobody seems to know who first floated the idea on social networking sites.
She said it’s probably a satirical gesture, though it resonates with the fact that the mostly science-related faculties that oppose the call to abolish compulsory uniform wearing are perceived as a kind of East Berlin, a city where citizens were being “controlled”.
Aum is currently on the receiving end of a police complaint accusing her of lese majeste, lodged by a man after she disseminated parts of a speech written by “The Promoters”, a group of students and soldiers whose activities brought about the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. She believes the move was related to her protest and was an attempt to shut her up.
Yukti Mukdawijitra, an anthropology lecturer at Thammasat who is technically teaching in “West Thammasat”, believes the controversy signifies a growing interest in cultural issues. He agreed, however, that the proposal to separate Thammasat into east and west is an ironic one rooted in the debate over students’ rights.
“It’s about the borderline of freedom,” he said.
Vipar Daomanee, who taught at the university’s College of Innovation and Education, said the chasm has proven that the old slogan of Thammasat being the freest of all Thai universities is not true. As a long-time advocate of this special role for Thammasat, Vipar said she was sorry wants to apologise, for such a reputation is too good to be true.
The rift also reflects the wider division within society today, where liberal and conservative forces clash, she said.
“What has happened is a good thing. It means some students will not simply follow instructions without questioning them, and will analyse things.”
Trying to play down the whole discussion of “East” and “West Thammasat” is Prinya Thaewana-rumitkul, vice rector for student affairs. Prinya said the whole division topic is just a joke, though outsiders may not understand. “There’s no real division,” he said. “[Aum] may have overdone [the campaign] a bit.”
