Rectors offer to mediate

The Council of University Presidents of Thailand has offered to mediate in the ongoing conflict between the government and opponents of the controversial amnesty bill.

The council of rectors held a special meeting at Chulalongkorn University and came up with a resolution to offer itself as the mediator. The meeting, attended by rectors of 26 universities out of a total of 27 members, also set up a working panel comprising nine rectors to closely monitor the situation.

The meeting issued a statement – its second on the conflict – calling on the government to use only non-violent means in controlling the situation, and urging opposing groups to exercise calm and intelligence while upholding the system of democracy under constitutional monarchy in the long term.

Another key message in yesterday’s statement was that the government must treat equally all sides as they hold rallies or express opinions. 

The statement expressed relief over the choice of distant locations for rallies by groups opposed to the bill, or backing it.

 

Strong stance against graft

The council reaffirmed its stance against corruption by politicians and abuse of power by authorities. 

It said an amnesty with proper conditions was acceptable, but it must not include corruption.

Prof Somkid Lertpaitoon, rector of Thammasat University and president of the council, said it did not trust the Pheu Thai government in terms of how it would act following the withdrawal of all six bills with similar content to the amnesty bill. The nine-member panel was needed to follow the bill’s progress, he said.

Chulalongkorn University rector Prof Pirom Kamolratanakul said a necessary parallel effort, which should kick off now, was political reform to prevent future promulgation of controversial laws or those benefiting individual groups or parties.

Srinakharinwirot University rector Assoc Prof Chalermchai Boonyaleephan said the current public distrust in the government was evident and difficult to counter easily.

The government should seek mediation between opposing groups both publicly and privately, Chalermchai said. 

Meanwhile, the Office of Basic Education Commission has issued a policy giving school directors authority to order brief closures of schools near rally sites or, when necessary, for the sake of schoolchildren’s safety.