Fifty students aligned with the People’s Alliance for Democracy protest at the Education Ministry against the comment by Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat that they should steer clear of politics. APICHART JINAKUL
Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat probably had good intentions when he urged students not to take part in political activities, particularly the anti-government and pro-government rallies of recent days.
Those rallies have turned somewhat dangerous with one dead and many injured during clashes between the two groups of protestors and the police.
But students also have good reason to be interested in politics. Their futures depend on a strong, stable political system and they will some day have to take an active part in seeing that happen.
Many students realise this and that is why a group of about 50 students from Makkhawan Demonstration School of Ratchadamnoen university showed up at the ministry yesterday, demanding that the minister quit.
They placed a wreath outside the ministry on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue with the message ‘‘In memory of the education minister, who has died in the hearts of young people.’’
The Makkhawan Demonstration School is actually the name of a group of students who regularly join the People’s Alliance for Democracy protest. They come from various schools and universites around the city.
Group head Sangtham Chunchadathan, a PhD student at Rangsit University, demanded Mr Somchai apologise and resign.
Krittin Dingkaew, a second-year student at Thammasat University’s faculty of law, said Mr Somchai’s ‘‘narrow-minded, unethical and immature’’ comments proved he was unfit to oversee the education ministry.
Natthapol Kanasap, a first-year student at Chulalongkorn University’s medical school, said: ‘‘We cannot stay idle with the government’s frequent use of force against protesters.
‘‘We are eligible to vote and have the right to participate in politics.’’
Increasing numbers of high school and university students are ignoring Mr Somchai's advice and are turning up at the PAD rally following the government’s use of force against protesters last Friday and the imposition of the state of emergency on Tuesday.
Kanokporn Promputthachat, Pachara Chamnanprai and Chaiwat On-kaew, high school students at Wat Makut Kasatayaram School, joined the rally in school uniform yesterday.
Ms Kanokporn said they served as security volunteers for the protesters, searching people for weapons between 7pm and 9pm.
Mr Pachara said: ‘‘We come to the rally to get first-hand experience on political demonstrations. Unlike the minister, our parents support us.’’
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