New Democracy Group foils Meechai's speech at Thammasat

[webfact]

New Democracy Group foils Meechai's speech at Thammasat



BANGKOK: -- Noisy protest by the New Democracy Group led by the defiant student activist Siravich Serithiwat this morning forced the special lecture on national reform by constitution drafting committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan to stop ahead of schedule.

The lecture was held to mark the Sanya Dharmasakti Day of the university.

The activist Siravich, also known as Ja New, interrupted the lecture by Mr Meechai at the Institute of East Asian Studies at Thammasat University after he spoke on the draft charter which he has drafted.

Prior to the disruption by the New Democracy Group activists, a group of Mattayom 5 pre-university students also interrupted his lecture when he spoke on educational reform which is a part of the draft constitution.

The students, led by Parit Chivarak, also secretary general of the Study for Independence Group, raised placards and posters which read “Don’t harm the Youths” forcing him to stop his speech briefly until the guards escorted the students out of the room.

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

But he resumed his lecture just briefly when another disruption by the New Democracy Group forced him to end his speech.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/158318


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-05

[MZurf]

Good to see that there are young people willing to stand up against the unelected regime and it's cohorts. If there were more of them then Thailand's future would look more promising than it does at present.

[mrrizzla]

I fear those young uns have been carted for an "AA" session for daring to question the all knowing/powerful/bestest in the word/we know what is good for you so shut up and swallow it junta.

No doubt the kool aid drinkers will be here soon to call them red shirts/Thaksin shills

[geriatrickid]

Those kids are finished. Not that most of the TVF supporters of military rule forever care.

[mrrizzla]

Those kids are finished. Not that most of the TVF supporters of military rule forever care.

"Thaksin stooge" will probably be their half-arsed reply.

[NeilSA1]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

[JaseTheBass]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

[mrrizzla]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Do you think this regime are receptive to any criticism? Nondestructive or no?

Open your eyes.

[thai3]

Resistance is futile you will be assimilated, after attitude adjustment

[cmsally]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

The problem is that they want to include kindergarten instead of M 4,5,6

Kindergarten on the whole can be found on the local level cheaply.

However you risk leaving whole swathes of students hung out to dry if they get to M3 and don't have the money to continue. Even the most menial job requires a M6 cert. these days.

The argument is that it would be better to provide kindergarten instead. Nowhere can I see any plausible theory for this.

[lovelomsak]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

They have a good reason to oppose it. Before the students had free education from pratum1 to mat 6 . So basically could finish highschool. Now the government wants to pay from anuban 1 to mat 3.Students can legally quit school on their own after mat3. So what it is doing is creating a scenario where there will be more drop outs and the populace becomes poorer educated. Poor education easier to control.

Before it was grade school and high school. Now it is kindergarten and grade school and first 3 years of high school..Less opportunity to be university educated.It is not burning of books as happened in Cambodia but similar in concept.

[jcsmith]

Resistance is futile you will be assimilated, after attitude adjustment

I believe Ja New has already been brought in previously for attitude adjustment. He doesn't seem like he's rolling over though.

[smedly]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

[kblaze]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

I'm guessing you don't know exactly what is going on here. I'll echo some of the other posters, but essentially instead of the state providing free education for 1st to 12th grade, the new constitution slashes the last 3 years off (10th-12th grade) and adds 3 for preschool, kindergarten. The article is mistaken when it says the students want 15 years. I haven't seen anything about demands being made for continuance of the present 12-year (1st - 12th grade) system AND 3 more years for preschool.

Think about that. Which is more important?

In preschool, your child plays blocks, eats snacks, runs around, takes a nap, then goes home at 12. Its dirt cheap

The last three years of high school - you are taking high level classes, deciding what career path you want to take, and getting prepped for college. Now students will have to pay for it out of pocket.

IMO, its simply a cost move. Preschool is a hundred times cheaper to pay for vs. high school and is a hundred times less important.

[MZurf]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Bla, bla, bla, Thaksin, bla, bla, bla...

[mrrizzla]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Ah yes. Because the current lot in charge are all right honorable, incorruptible men with no fingers in any dodgy pies

[kblaze]

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Strange that you want the students to protest something good like combating corruption. Why should students be pro-corruption?

yes, im <deleted> with ya

[GeorgesAbitbol]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Inform yourself before thinking they are "red" and learn what are the "changes" the Army want.

It is far better to support the Junta, right?

[roamer]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

I'm guessing you don't know exactly what is going on here. I'll echo some of the other posters, but essentially instead of the state providing free education for 1st to 12th grade, the new constitution slashes the last 3 years off (10th-12th grade) and adds 3 for preschool, kindergarten. The article is mistaken when it says the students want 15 years. I haven't seen anything about demands being made for continuance of the present 12-year (1st - 12th grade) system AND 3 more years for preschool.

Think about that. Which is more important?

In preschool, your child plays blocks, eats snacks, runs around, takes a nap, then goes home at 12. Its dirt cheap

The last three years of high school - you are taking high level classes, deciding what career path you want to take, and getting prepped for college. Now students will have to pay for it out of pocket.

IMO, its simply a cost move. Preschool is a hundred times cheaper to pay for vs. high school and is a hundred times less important.

And yet this comes at a time the education budget has been lifted to a massive 20% of GDP, far more than other Asean countries spend with far better results (Thailand being bottom of the pile). True, the focus of the new budget is to be spent on instilling "Thai values and morals" , therefore this makes sense. Start the propaganda at preschool, events here have shown that its far more difficult to reach 'em when they start showing independent thought patterns.

[phoenixdoglover]

A funny thing happened on the way to the Referendum.

[kblaze]

And yet this comes at a time the education budget has been lifted to a massive 20% of GDP, far more than other Asean countries spend with far better results (Thailand being bottom of the pile). True, the focus of the new budget is to be spent on instilling "Thai values and morals" , therefore this makes sense. Start the propaganda at preschool, events here have shown that its far more difficult to reach 'em when they start showing independent thought patterns.

Yep, and remember now the NCPO has moved away from decentralization which gave more control to local authorities to a system wherein interprovincial "governors" are appointed by the NCPO to oversee large areas

[riki]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

my little girl will go to school when shes 3 and only get free till she is 15 under new rules not 18 that's what they want

[candide]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Hmmmmm! Did you support students when they protested against corruption in the Rajabhakdi Park project?

Oh sorry, I forgot! They were paid by the bogeyman from Dubai....

[choff56]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Uh, I believe they already tried that and the dumbed down Thai populace didn't give a crap.

[roamer]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

Maybe they feel (like most people with a brain) that university education should be free, especially if it is to support useful degrees such as engineering, medical, sciences, brewing etc.

Thailand might actually have more money to spend on things such as education if certain people weren't stuffing it into their greedy pockets through corruption or financing multi Billion baht losing vote buying schemes such as rice pledging and tablets for schools

I would support these students if they were actually protesting a worthy cause like combating corruption

Uh, I believe they already tried that and the dumbed down Thai populace didn't give a crap.

And a lot of the populace that were not dumbed down feel too scared to give voice to their feelings.....walk a mile in their shoes.

[Eric Loh]

Resistance is futile you will be assimilated, after attitude adjustment

I believe Ja New has already been brought in previously for attitude adjustment. He doesn't seem like he's rolling over though.

AA is not even making a dent in their or anyone attitude, it just harden the oppositions stance and resolve. It has not work with the activists, politicians and the common folks. It's a different world from the past. Social media and handy cameras are making harder for the military to do their dirty deeds convertly. The mass media are also upfront with reports exposing the military actions. AA is working counter productive for the junta.

[chainarong]

Resistance is futile you will be assimilated, after attitude adjustment

I believe Ja New has already been brought in previously for attitude adjustment. He doesn't seem like he's rolling over though.

Ja new has been very active along with his large group of followers , unfortunately you don't see anything in the Thai press, as it is censored.

[NCC1701A]

if the entire 15 years of education the students want is all for drivers education, then i am all for it.

[tuanku]

The students opposed the 12-year free education stated in the draft saying it should be 15 years.

Sometimes students feel that the world revolves around them.

Surely 12 years free education is a good thing. Not satisfied, they want 15 years.

Why not 20 years so as to cater for stupid students?

Constructive criticism would be meaningful.

As i understand it, the charter has moved the start time of free education forward without extending the period, so it would now end at M3 instead of M6. That, I believe is the basis of this perfectly reasonable (and rather brave) protest

[NeverSure]

Not to worry. This will all be sorted after there are elections next, uh next, er next, uh never mind.