Thammasat refuses to prosecute protesters

By The Nation

 

 

Thammasat University on Wednesday said that, despite the police’s suggestion, it would not pursue legal cases against pro-democracy protesters for breaking the university’s gate key.

 

“The university considers that the incident was caused by the chaotic situation. The damage was also minor,” the university said in a statement. “We would not pursue cases against students and activists but would instead try to communicate with them more.”

 

The statement referred to Tuesday’s 500-people assembly that attempted to march from the university’s Tha Prachan campus to Government House to demand the junta hold an election this year.

 

The rally ended unsuccessfully with key activists turning themselves into the police as they faced pressed charges for breaking the junta’s ban on political gathering of five or more. 

 

Fourteen activists are still detained at Phaya Thai and Chanasongkram police stations.

 

The so-called Student Friend Network also issued a statement urging the government to unconditionally release all students and stop prosecuting cases related to peaceful assemblies and expressions of discontent. 

 

“We call the officers to stop harassing wellbeing in every form of students and the people. We also call for the state to respect and protect people’s rights and freedom to prevent any further harassment,” it said.

 

Student activists are known to have been tracked or approached by security officers either directly to themselves, to their families or places of study.

 

“We also believe that the assembly dispersal [on Tuesday] was excessive and severely infringes fundamental rights and freedom,” it said, referring to the authorities’ targeting of the key protesters.

 

The network is also collecting signatures from students nationwide to endorse the statement.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30346105

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-5-23

 

A hard-line "seditionist" would hope that the regime now felt compelled to act against the university for its disobedience.

 

(Thus increasing the number of demonstrators next time.)

 

But, of course, the regime is far too clever to do that.

 

 

Edited May 23, 20188 yr by Enoon

Obviously, the police felt the sedition charge they are pressing against the student activists isn't enough.

 

They wanted the University's help in pressing the even more serious charge of breaking the school's "gate key."

 

Does the latter carry the death penalty sentence in Thailand, by any chance??? 

 

I suppose we should be grateful that Thammasat seems to become aware of the damage it has done itself over time.

 

It does  appear to me that the anti-P movement is gaining momentum. Time will tell.

 

Here's hoping.

 

Thammasit

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“We call the officers to stop harassing wellbeing in every form of students and the people. We also call for the state to respect and protect people’s rights and freedom to prevent any further harassment,” it said

Hypocrites.....two days ago they repelled the Thai people.

Thammasat first kowtowed to the will of the junta and police, but with rising support for the students, and fear of being seen as pathetic lackeys, they have finally done the right thing. Such a shame they didn't do it because of their own decency. They aren't the institution they once were.

17 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Obviously, the police felt the sedition charge they are pressing against the student activists isn't enough.

 

They wanted the University's help in pressing the even more serious charge of breaking the school's "gate key."

 

Does the latter carry the death penalty sentence in Thailand, by any chance??? 

 

In the story yesterday it also said that they want to charge them with stealing electricity by wiring speakers into the university system and that the cost was estimated at 122 baht!

In the story yesterday it also said that they want to charge them with stealing electricity by wiring speakers into the university system and that the cost was estimated at 122 baht!

Filthy thieving students, stealing electricity, bending gates out of shape, scuffing the tarmac with their dirty shoes. Poluting the air with their lower class.
And those poor policemen, polished riot shields ruined with grubby students finger prints.


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Smart move by the Uni.