Students told not to do anything 'they may regret later'

“I would like to warn people, especially young student activists, to think carefully before making any political moves, because they and their families might regret it later when they are prosecuted, as it will mark them for the rest of their lives,” the police chief said. “So I would like to ask them to consider their actions closely rather than making reckless decisions for the sake of a thrill.” 

The police chief, who is also a member of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, said the police were closely monitoring the moves of those against the junta. 

He said a soft approach, such as “attitude adjustment”, was being be employed to deal with political opposition in order to avoid conflict. However, he warned that if opposition escalated, it would be necessary to take legal action against political dissenters. 

This week, police detained three university students at Scala and Siam Paragon cinemas for protesting against the coup with the “Hunger Games”-inspired three-finger salute. And in the Northeast, five Khon Kaen University students made their way to the top of the stage while Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha was delivering a speech at the Provincial Hall on Wednesday to make the same gesture. The students were later released without being charged after they underwent “attitude adjustment” with Army and police personnel. 

Likit Amatayakong, vice chancellor for student development at Khon Kaen University, said the institution had not taken any action against the five students. 

“We have talked about the issue and the students have maintained that their cause is related to public interest. Nevertheless, such behaviour is too radical and students should be more careful,” he said, adding that students had been reminded that “everybody must have respect for the rule of law”.