Why some pro-democracy Thammasat graduates refused to attend commencement ceremony

They instead held their own ceremony. They placed cutouts of distinguished people, such as two academics -- Somsak Jeamteerasakul and Pavin Chachavalpongpun -- who have contributed information to the pro-democracy movement in Thailand.

They made 112 replicas of degrees, the number signifying Thailand's lese-majeste law (Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code). The group had planned a bigger event at Thammasat University's Tha Phra Chan campus in Bangkok but decided to drop it on Sunday afternoon.