Higher education ministry halts classes at two sites over student violence
Uthenthawai must relocate classes, while Pathumwan prepares alternatives under a minimum three-month ban on teaching and access at their campuses.
Thailand's higher education ministry has ordered an immediate suspension of teaching and access at Uthenthawai and Pathumwan Institute of Technology's campuses for at least three months to curb recurring student violence and protect the public and tourists.
Uthenthawai, a campus of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, must move its classes to an alternative location, initially using temporary premises if necessary. Pathumwan has been instructed to arrange alternative teaching and prepare for possible relocation in the longer term.
Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat outlined the four-part plan at his ministry on Wednesday (September 9), following talks on the management of Uthenthawai’s educational site. He was joined by ministry permanent secretary Supachai Pathumnakul and Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom.
Yodchanan said each institution currently had about 1,000 students. Administrators must ensure that changes to teaching arrangements do not compromise the quality of their education, while restrictions on the affected sites could remain in place beyond three months if the transition is not complete.
Uthenthawai must secure replacement premises
The rector of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok has been instructed to arrange suitable premises outside Uthenthawai’s existing site within the three-month period. Classes may initially move to a temporary location before a permanent site is ready, Yodchanan said.
Pathumwan faces a different challenge because it has no other campus. The institute has a model allowing students to learn with industrial companies from their first year, but its administrators have been told to develop a second teaching model. Relocation remains an option if necessary in the longer term, the minisiter said.
Yodchanan said the ministry would issue a formal order on September 9 and communicate carefully and continuously with both institutions. The process would involve examining legal requirements and sensitive issues while building on, rather than duplicating, earlier instructions.
Relocation arrangements could be completed sooner than three months, he said, but neither side would be permitted to enter the affected area during the restriction period. If the transition remained unfinished, the ban on access and teaching would continue.
“For three months, one thing is certain: no one will be allowed into this area. Safety must come first,” Yodchanan said.
Two students injured in Siam station clash
The announcement followed a confrontation between students from the two institutions at Siam Skytrain station on September 7. Police reported that two Pathumwan students, aged 19 and 21, suffered stab wounds and were taken to hospital. Both were subsequently reported to be out of danger. Officers had already been deployed at the station to prevent the rival groups from confronting each other.
Police said they were investigating whether the station fight was linked to an earlier clash on a skywalk and were examining surveillance footage and witness accounts to identify those responsible. The institutions had previously used staggered travel schedules to reduce encounters, but students from both sides arrived at the station at around the same time on September 7.
Existing site reserved for education and innovation
Yodchanan said discussions with Chulalongkorn University had established that the land currently used by Uthenthawai would not be developed commercially. Instead, it would remain dedicated to education, industry and innovation, with opportunities for the public to benefit from the site.
The ministry and Chulalongkorn University would jointly manage its development, seeking views from all institutions and preserving its educational purpose. Metropolitan police would oversee security during the transition.
Police coordinate with lecturers and alumni
Yodchanan said resolving the conflict was also important for confidence in Thailand. The Siam and Pathumwan areas serve tourists, young people and learners of different ages, making close attention to public safety essential.
Pol Lt Gen Siam warned that further violence around Siam Square could undermine the confidence of visitors whose spending contributes to the economy. He said all parties needed to cooperate on a lasting solution rather than leave the problem solely to police.
Pathumwan Police Station and Metropolitan Police Division 6 will coordinate daily with lecturers from both institutions on student safety. Pol Lt Gen Siam said lecturers already recommended temporary suspensions when they identified a risk of confrontation, and both institutions had agreed to halt activities at the affected sites to prevent further clashes. He said cooperation had been good.
On concerns about senior students passing on violent practices, Yodchanan said justice and administrative authorities were already responsible for addressing that aspect of the problem. The ministry would concentrate on implementing the education and relocation measures with the cooperation of both institutions.
Asked about alumni associated with violence, Pol Lt Gen Siam said police had compiled names of people linked to violent behaviour and had arrested some of those identified. Officers were monitoring relevant individuals closely, working with lecturers and alumni associations to prevent further incidents
