Academics claim harassment, demand talks with the PM Prayut

[webfact]

Academics claim harassment, demand talks with the PM
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A GROUP of academics supporting 14 detained student activists said yesterday they would request a meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief, if the students were not freed and if alleged harassment of lecturers continued.

"We the lecturers endorsing the first statement will meet the prime minister and NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] leader to ask for clarification if we are still being harassed and the students detained," representatives of the group said in a statement.

Lecturers from Kasetsart University read the declaration in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison.

They said they issued the statement because the junta had not acted in response to their first statement, which demanded the unconditional release of the 14 students.

They claim the students were being treated like criminals, being separated from other prisoners to undermine their morale.

Several lecturers complained they were being harassed with summonses to the Army barracks or by repeated calls.

"All of these [actions] are against rights and freedom of expression of people in a democratic society," their statement said.

Despite the claimed harassment, the number of lecturers endorsing the statements has grown from 280 to more than 550.

The Remand Prison had more than 40 visitors yesterday who came to offer support for the detained students on the last day of the first round of pre-trial detention.

Apart from their friends and families, several writers and academics such as Wannasingh Prasertkul, Suchart Sawasdsri, Prajak Kongkirati, and Sarinee Achavanuntakul were also seen in front of the prison.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Academics-claim-harassment-demand-talks-with-the-P-30263903.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-07

[Chao Lao Beach]

"All of these [actions] are against rights and freedom of expression of people in a democratic society," their statement said.

Thailand Democratic is like saying Pattaya has no whore bars (A Thai politictian did announce that a few years ago by the way !!)

These are meant to be Universty students, not to smart.

[baboon]

"All of these [actions] are against rights and freedom of expression of people in a democratic society," their statement said.

Thailand Democratic is like saying Pattaya has no whore bars (A Thai politictian did announce that a few years ago by the way !!)

These are meant to be Universty students, not to smart.

Not to smart indeed. Quite.

[soalbundy]

They shouldn't bother meeting with him, army and intellectuals don't mix well,all they will get is a few bananas thrown at them

[LannaGuy]

as it goes downhill they will tighten their grip

[pisico]

Wait !!! Wasn't this status quo what the rabid anti-Thaksinistas and Suthepistas wanted?

No worries! The Military judges presiding on the case of the BKK 14 stuidents will be fair. They will apply all criminal articles of the current Thai Constitution.. whatever that may be.

For now, and for their own protection, the students will be sent to barracks with an entrance arch that will read: "Arbeit macht frei".

Oh, the good old times of Sarit are here again!

Thainess, Thainess uber ales !!!

[chainarong]

The Academic's have plenty of experience in unusual circumstances , that's not what Prayut - O would like , he would like what all Generals like, obedience, paranoia within the Thai Military is fife , so it is not surprising that 14 students would upset the status Quo, under section 44 that the Junta has designed with Paranoia in mind, basically no one has any rights , no democracy exists in any part of Thailand and you do it our way or it's the Highway.

[quandow]

In a battle of wit, the PM is an unarmed man. Unfortunately, he owns all the REAL guns in Thailand.

[Srikcir]

"All of these [actions] are against rights and freedom of expression of people in a democratic society,"

Did these lecturers just wake up from a 20-year slumber? Surely they have witnessed a couple Thai military coups where rights and freedom of expression are always the first victims of the new military regimes. But they don't seem to understand the breadth of Article 44 and the exisrence Junta's absolute power.

And as a show of their political naivity they think they can expect Prayut to see, hear or reply to them. Prayut should order these lecturers for an attitude adjustment that would actually further democracy. They might then come to appreciate ITS ABSENCE.

[ggt]

The Plot thickens...verbal posturing...may lead to unexpected and undesirable consequences in a non-democratic country...

The students and faculty need to keep a low profile and a wait and see attitude...while they construct a Plan B scenario...

It is unwise to disturb a hornets nest...just to see what may become of it...you must bring smoke to confuse those little stingers...