Democrat Party makes grovelling apology to Thaksin University
The Democrat Party on Tuesday made a grovelling apology to Thaksin University after one of its MPs suggested it offered inferior education.
Democrat MP Chaichana Detdecho boasted at an election rally in Phatthalung on Saturday that all three Democrat candidates for the province graduated from overseas, while candidates from other parties only graduated from Thaksin University. The remark sparked a furious backlash on social media.
On Tuesday, party leader Jurin Laksanawisit insisted Chaichana’s remark would have no effect on the Democrats’ campaign in the South for the upcoming election in May.
The MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat apologised on Facebook a day after maligning the southern university, which has campuses in Phatthalung and neighbouring Songkhla.
“Chaichana clearly said he had no intention of devaluing Thaksin University and has already made a public apology,” said Jurin, who is also deputy prime minister and commerce minister.
Jurin added that the Democrat Party supports all universities in Thailand, having sent several party members to serve in the Education Ministry, including Chuan Leekpai, Kalaya Sophonpanich and himself.
Chaichana visited the university’s Phatthalung campus on Tuesday to present a garland and apologise in person to the rector Assoc Prof Natthaphong Jittranirat. He was accompanied by Democrat MP candidate for Phatthalung Piyakarn Suphanchanaburi.
After the meeting Natthaphong said he accepted Chaichana’s apology, saying “there is nothing greater than to forgive”.
The rector said Thaksin University had proven time and again that it produces valuable and efficient members of society. He also urged political parties to focus on policies that would improve the quality of life for Thai people.
