THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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NCPO warns unis over satirical stunts

NCPO warns unis over satirical stunts

THE JUNTA will meet with representatives of Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities tomorrow to discuss the staging of their traditional football match and accompanying parade on February 13, following the lampooning of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a

The ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has said it will not prohibit the staging of the match’s 71st instalment, but it wants to discuss the event’s details with organisers.
The authorities are concerned about the parade’s political satire.
NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said there should be no activity that could lead to social conflict. 
He said representatives from both universities would discuss the matter with NCPO officials at the Second Cavalry Division tomorrow. 
“We will seek cooperation and discuss what can be done or not. The sensitive issues should better be avoided,” the NCPO spokesman said, adding that Prayut, who is also the NCPO chief, has not issued any specific instruction regarding this matter.
Students and lecturers from both universities have voiced concern that too much control of the parade’s content could take the shine off it.
Chalee Charoenlarpnopparat, deputy rector of Thammasat University, said the NCPO had not specifically mentioned the parade.
He said the organisers had instructed the students involved in producing content for the parade to avoid expletives or mentioning particular individuals. “But we will allow the students to fully show off their creativity,” he added. The organisers have received permission from the NCPO to organise this year’s event, he said.
At last year’s event, Prayut was at the centre of mockery during the parade, which occurred despite the junta telling the organisers to be “cautious” about its content.
Despite tough screening by police and military personnel, students managed to smuggle a paper mache figure that looked like Prayut into the stadium, concealing it inside another figure. 
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