PM's shot, bombed comment bad for nation: academics
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An academic group has criticised the prime minister for what it perceives as his veiled threat against academic freedom.
In a statement released Friday, the Thai Academics for Civil Rights said General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s recent remark that “you may get shot or bombed to death” was imprudent and could result in a “negative impact” on the country.
Rather than adjusting people’s attitudes, the junta should learn to tolerate those with opinions different from its, TACR said.
The group said General Prayut’s remark sounded like a threat, although he also said the gunfire and the bombs would not be from him.
The group said the remark was provocative, and it wanted to know what action could justify someone being shot or bombed.
“For a national leader, such a remark was imprudent and would cause much negative impact on the country,” it said.
The statement was issued at a panel discussion entitled “Universities Are Not Military Barracks: Space for Rights, Liberties and Creative Learning” at Thammasat University’s Tha Phrachan campus.
