On 21 February 2020, Thailand’s Constitutional Court dissolved the Future Forward Party, the second-largest opposition party, and banned its executive members from running in elections for ten years for violating election laws by taking loans from its founder and party leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Only one day later, students across the country began to stage protests against the Court’s verdict. Thammasat University students took the lead and students from other universities and schools followed. Moreover, ordinary citizens, as well as Thai expatriates living in the United Kingdom, also took part in this ubiquitous social movement. Although the demonstrations initially stemmed from popular frustrations regarding the dissolution of the Future Forward Party, protestors are demanding for changes beyond this matter. Notably, many educational institutions are proposing constitutional amendments as a solution to tackling the long-lasting legacies of the previous regime under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
These demonstrations, nonetheless, are under the watchful eyes of those in power. Student protestors were “warned” by the authorities that they could face charges under certain laws that could be used to restrict their freedom, such as the Public Assembly Act. Meanwhile, many of them were subjected to other kinds of harassment by both government officials and other ordinary citizens. As an organization that monitors and documents the situation of freedom of expression in Thailand, iLaw has created a database of public assemblies which contains information gathered from observation notes regarding protestors and officials, interviews, media reports (references included), verified social media posts, as well as direct accounts from protestors and partner civil society organizations. The following is all the information we have compiled in this database:
22 February 2020
Thammasat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
At 5:30 pm, at Thammasat University (Tha Prachan Campus)’s Pridi Lawn, the Student Union of Thailand (SUT) organized the event called “This Country Has No Justice” following the Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the Future Forward Party and ban its executive members from politics for 10 years on 21 February 2020. Participants had gradually started to gather together there since 4:30 pm. whereas plainclothes officers surrounded them to observe the assembly and take photos of the participants. Later, representatives from the SUT took turns delivering speeches about the dissolution of the Future Forward Party and other economic, social, and political issues. In the end, the participants held a candlelight vigil together and dispersed at around 6:30 pm.
Before the event started, Police Colonel Kritsana Pattanacharoen, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, informed the media that the Metropolitan Police Bureau had set up a task force of police officers in uniform and plainclothes to oversee the demonstration. He further warned the participants of the demonstration and the candlelight vigil that they should strictly follow the law and ensure that their activities do not violate any laws, especially the Public Assembly Act. Still, Article 3 of the Public Assembly Act states that this law shall not apply to public assemblies held inside educational institutions. Therefore, this event, which was held at Thammasat University, did not fall into the scope of this law. One representative from the SUT stated that police officers from Chanasongkram Police Station approached them in the evening of the protest day and informed them that the police had no power to oversee this activity. In the discussion, the police officers did not state any prohibitions or requests for the SUT.
23 February 2020
Prince of Songkhla University (Pattani Campus)
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Matichon Online reported that students from the Prince of Songkhla University’s Pattani Campus gathered together to protest the dissolution of the Future Forward Party. The students read aloud their statement expressing condolences and moral support for all people fighting for a democratic society. Later, iLaw received information that on 24 February 2020, police officers from an unidentified unit approached some student protestors and asked them for details about the event, such as the participants’ names and their affiliated organizations, claiming that they needed such information for reporting to their superior commanders.
Later, the authorities went to the Faculty of Political Science to find out more information. The security guards sent them to speak with Professor Ekkarin Tuansiri, who is a faculty member there. During the discussion, some officers tried to take photos of Ekkarin, so he stopped them and they left shortly after.
Burapha University
Hashtags: #RebelsOfBangsan #HereComesBurapha
Proposal:
At the front lawn of Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science, the Kongkang student group held a demonstration in response to the dissolution of Future Forward Party. The participants held a candlelight vigil and created protest banners together. There was also a public speech about the Constitutional Court. Around 20 police officers attended the event as observers and took photos of the organizers and participants.
24 February 2020
Chulalongkorn University (CU)
Hashtags: #PillarOfTheLandWillNoLongerBeBroken #CUAssemble
Proposal:
Chulalongkorn University students held a protest called “CU Assemble” in response to the dissolution of Future Forward Party. At 4:00 pm, five uniformed police officers from Pathumwan Police Station arrived at the protest venue to observe the students’ activities. At around 4:25 pm, approximately 100 students started to gather near the university auditorium whereas the officers stationed themselves at the Faculty of Engineering, which is located on the opposite side of the demonstration venue. At 4:40 pm, student protestors began their activities by reading poems and delivering political speeches on stage. They also made protest banners together to express their dissatisfaction with the current political regime. While the uniformed police officers were still stationed opposite to the demonstration, there were at least five plainclothes officers who tried to blend into the protest and took photos of the protestors. At 6:00 pm, the protestors sang the national anthem to pay respect to the national flag. Then they held a candlelight vigil and sang “Do You Hear the People Sing?” together before returning home.
After the national anthem had ended, security guards took the national flag out of the pole and stored it for the next day’s use. Then a female student tried to fly a black flag on the pole, but she was stopped by the security guards. One of the guards filmed the incident without the student’s consent and later, a Facebook page posted this video online. The post distorted the actual chronology of the event by alleging that the female student desecrated the national flag by replacing it with the black flag. In reality, the national flag had been removed after the national anthem ended at 6:00 pm. Such misinformation led to widespread public misunderstandings that this female student violated the law by desecrating the national flag, thereby subjecting her to online personal and sexual harassment.
Kasetsart University’s Bangkhen Campus
Hashtag: #KUStudentsAreNotCoconutMilkDesserts (Referring to salim – a Thai dessert whose name has been used as derogatory slang for conservative, pro-establishment people)
Proposal:
Kasetsart University students held a rally against the dissolution of Future Forward Party in front of the university’s central auditorium near Pahon-Yotin Road. At around 5:30, protestors started to arrive at the venue. The rough estimate of protestors was around 1,000; most of them are Kasetsart University students. Some students who led the rally took turns delivering political speeches while others handed out blank banners for people to express their political opinions. Given a large number of protestors, they had to line up to write their opinions on the banners.
According to the information received, both military and plainclothes police officers were present there to observe and took photos of the protest. At around 6:00 pm, the number of protestors grew so large that they blocked the street between the flag pole and the university auditorium. Therefore, cars could no longer pass through this street.
During the demonstration, the students delivered speeches that criticized the current government’s administration and mentioned its continuous attempts to erasure the democratic legacies of the People’s Party (Khana Ratsadon). They also proposed that a constitutional amendment is the key to resolving the country’s political turmoil. The activities were finished at around 7:00 pm; however, some protestors remained at the venue, waiting in line to write their opinions on the banners provided by the organizers.
25 February 2020
Chiang Mai University
Hashtag: #TheWhiteElephantWillNotTolerateThis
Proposal: The Prime Minister must resign from his position and dissolve the Parliament.
Chiang Mai University students organized a flash mob protest near the Sala Tham area inside Chiang Mai University. The event was scheduled to start at 5 pm, but protestors arrived at the venue as early as 4 pm. It was roughly estimated that approximately 1,000 people attended the protest. The student protestors took turns delivering political speeches and collectively urged the Prime Minister to resign and dissolve the Parliament to pave the way for re-election. There was also a music performance towards the end of the event.
All activities went smoothly. The only problem was that the protest was initially planned to be finished at 7 pm but they had to end it slightly earlier due to a technical issue; they did not prepare enough amplifiers, so the protestors who were far from the stage could not hear the speeches and music performance.
Around 20 to 30 plainclothes police officers observed the protest, as well as took photos and shot videos throughout the students’ activities. They had also set up a camera on a tripod stand to film the protest stage.
Mahidol University
Hashtags: #muneedsdemocracy #SalayaDoesn’tEatColorfulDesserts
Proposal:
Students from Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus organized a protest at the Mahidol Learning Center near the Mahidol Adulyadej monument. On the day of the protest, it was reported that the monument was covered with a blue piece of cloth, with the sign that says, “Cleaning in progress.” According to one protestor, university staffs put up the blue cloth and the sign on the same day as the protest. It remains unclear whether this act had anything to do with the protest. However, it must be noted that the university did not explicitly bar the students from staging an assembly within the university’s precincts.
The protest began at around 6:15 pm. According to iLaw observers’ rough headcounts, there were around 1,000 protestors. Moreover, at least five plainclothes persons wearing a police vest were also there to observe and take photos of the protest whereas eight uniformed police officers were stationed outside the protest venue. The protest took about one hour and was finished at 7:30 pm. Most of the students’ speeches were about the Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the Future Forward Party.
Bangkok University
Hashtag: #BUIsNotSalim
Proposal:
Matichon Online reported that Bangkok University students staged a protest and delivered political speeches. Moreover, they stood together in mourning for democracy and made protest banners together.
26 February 2020
Satriwithaya School
Hashtag: #WeAreSorWorWhoStandsWithDemocracy
(In Thai, Sor Wor is an acronym that could stand for both “Satriwithaya” (A school name) or “Samachik Wuttisapa” (Senates) who have been widely regarded as anti-democratic because all 250 of them were handpicked and appointed by the military junta)
Proposal:
The group of Satriwithaya School students who called themselves the “Sor Wor who stands with democracy” organized a flash mob protest at Satriwithaya School. The protest was scheduled to start at 3 pm. However, it was reported that police officers entered the school area before the scheduled time, causing teachers to send for the students who organized the protest for a discussion. There is no clear information regarding what the teachers told the student organizers. Later, the student organizers announced that they would hold the protest outside the school’s precinct because the school administration did not allow this kind of activity inside the school. According to the information received, the school informed the students that the school has to remain neutral and that not all school personnel agreed with the protestors.
At around 3 pm, it was reported that seven police officers- two in uniform and five in plainclothes-entered the school to speak with one of the teachers. After the discussion, the five plainclothes officers, as well as some teachers, stationed themselves at the school gate to tell alumni and ordinary citizens who wanted to enter the school for the protest that the activity had been canceled. At around 3:10 pm, 20 – 30 students held protest signs outside the school precinct to express their political opinions. At first, he held the signs near the school’s name board. After that, they moved to an area near the Democracy Monument and turned their backs while holding up the signs, so that the media could take their photos.
Around 10 military and plainclothes police officers observed the protest and took photos of the participants throughout all activities. The protest went smoothly and ended at around 3:40 pm. After the protest, some students voluntarily traveled to Silapakorn University to join another protest. Reportedly, the plainclothes police officers followed these students to Silapakorn University and approached them to ask for more information.
Dech-Udom School in Ubon Ratchatani Province
Hashtag:
Proposal:
The Facebook user named “Acting Sub L.t. Chatchai Kaewkumpod” reported that Dech-Udom School students gathered together to express their support for the now-defunct Future Forward Party and dissent against all forms of dictatorship. Initially, the students intended to organize this activity at an overpass in front of their school. However, police officers barred them from using this space. Moreover, the school had closed all of its entrances, so the students had to climb the gates to enter the school and organize the activity.
Silapakorn University’s Wang Ta Pra Campus
Hashtag: #WangTaPraStudentsDoNotOnlyCareAboutWindAndSunshine (“Only caring about wind and sunshine” is a slang phrase that means politically ignorant)
Proposals:
1. The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) must be democratically elected.
2. Draft an entirely new constitution and allow people to vote for it in a nationwide referendum
Silpakorn University students organized the activity called “Wang Ta Pra Students Do Not Only Care About Wind and Sunshine” at the Silp Pirasri Lawn inside the university’s Wang Ta Pra Campus. The activity started at 5:20 pm. There were around 150 participants. A group of Satriwithaya School students who organized the flash mob protest at their school also joined this activity and went on stage to deliver political speeches.
Around 20 plainclothes military and police officers observed the protest and took photos and shot videos throughout the students’ activities. They had also set up a camera on a tripod stand to film the protest stage. Meanwhile, some university staffs also took some photos of the participants.
During the activity, students took turns delivering political speeches and reading poems. In the end, the participants sang the song “Do You Hear the People Sing?” together; all activities were finished at around 7 pm. The activity organizers demanded the following changes in Thai politics:
- The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) must be democratically elected.
- A new constitution must be drafted.
- People shall have the right to determine whether they accept the new constitution through casting a vote in a referendum.
University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)
Hashtags: #ChildrenOfMaeSaiDoNotSupportDictatorship #UTCCIsASailBoatNotASubmarine (The emblem of UTCC is a sailboat. On the other hand, the Prayuth administration’s purchases of submarines from China have been widely criticized as unnecessary and frivolous.)
Proposal:
Students at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce held a demonstration in front of Building No.24 (Sail Boat Building) inside their university. Around 200 – 300 students participated in the demonstration. According to iLaw’s observation, at least ten plainclothes officers were there to observe and took photos of the participants and shot videos while the students were delivering speeches.
According to the information received, one university staff was responsible for facilitating the demonstration for the students. Apart from current students, two alumni also went on stage to deliver speeches. Most of the students’ speeches were about the government’s strategies to hold absolute powers and their failures in administering economic policies. The demonstration was finished within one hour. The organizers told iLaw that they only advertised about this demonstration on the previous night and did not expect such a large crowd.
Suratthani Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
More than 200 pro-democracy students and ordinary citizens living in Suratthani Province gathered in a rally in front of Suratthani Rajabhat University’s Faculty of Humanities at around 6 pm. They started the rally by singing the national anthem to pay respect to the national flag. Then there were music performances by Suratthani Rajabhat University students and political speeches about the lack of legitimacy for the current government which came to power through a military coup. The speeches also mentioned how the military coup on 22 May 2014 jeopardized Thailand’s system of constitutional monarchy.
During this rally, protestors also made signs and banners on which they expressed their political opinions and commitment to democracy. The highlight of this rally is the reading of the collective statement from Suratthani Rajabhat University students which expressed grave concerns about the Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the Future Forward Party and its impact on Thailand’s justice system as a whole. The statement criticizes the Court’s decision as an act of depriving the party’s founders of their rights and liberties to participate in politics via a democratic channel. Moreover, according to the statement, the Court’s verdict violates important legal principles, such as the rule of law and proportionality. A political party, the statement said, should not be easily dissolved because it is the main instrument by which the people participate in politics. The Court’s decision, thus, directly deprives the people of their ability to participate in politics, thereby jeopardizing future developments of the country.
After the statement was read, more than 200 students and ordinary citizens turned on their smartphones’ flashlights in unison as a gesture of protest—to light up the current dark age. Together they sang the songs “The Starlight of Faith” and “Flower Song.” Then they turned off the flashlights, stood together in silence for a while, and sang the Royal Anthem together before the protest ended.
The rally was attended by around 10 police officers- both in uniform and plainclothes- who closely observed and took photos of all activities. Moreover, the authorities asked protestors not to bring any signs that represent a specific political party into the rally to ensure that the university remains politically neutral and triggers no political conflict. According to a student who organized the rally, the university prohibited the use of amplifiers, so none were used in the rally.
Burapha University
Hashtag: #TeamLookRanardWantsToJoinTheProtest
Proposal:
Burapha University students held a protest in response to the Future Forward Party on 26 February 2020. Before the protest, student organizers put up posters advertising the protest across the university’s precincts. However, it was reported that all the posters had shortly been removed.
On 26 February 2020, at around 12:00 pm, a police van was parked inside the university. At 3:40 pm, university staffs spoke with the organizers. The university’s student council sent representatives to attend the protest. Meanwhile, it was reported that investigative officers from Saen Suk Police Station were also there to observe the students’ activities. There were approximately 700 protestors. The demonstration ended at 7:30 pm.
Srinakharinwirot University’s Prasarnmit Campus
Hashtag: #SWUHasAVoice
Proposal: Srinakharinwirot University must amend its curriculum.
Thairath Online reported that Srinakharinwirot University students organized a flash mob protest as a symbolic act to express their political dissent. They turned on their smartphones’ flashlight as a gesture to call for justice in the wake of the Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the Future Forward Party and ban its executive members from politics for ten years.
Moreover, the students demanded that their university amend the curriculum by canceling the mandatory completion of 100 hours of charity work and required courses that purportedly aim to produce “citizens with good moral characters,” such as “General studies for human development”, “Human in learning society.” Last but not least, they also urged the university to bring an end to the hazing-based SOTUS system.
Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus
Hashtag: #ThammasatAndPoliticalDemonstration [This hashtag is a wordplay of Thammasat University’s previous name, which was the University of Thammasat (Ethics) and Politics]
Proposal:
Prachathai reported that at least 1,000 students gathered in a protest rally at Phayanak Lawn inside Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus. The students delivered political speeches; one of which condemned Anawin Rattanasataporn, a Future Forward Party MP who defected to the Bhumjaithai Party. It was reported that several students from Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus had voted for Anawin during the election.
Prince of Songkhla University’s Pattani Campus
Hashtag:
Proposal: Elect new members of the CDA to draft a new constitution
Matichon Online reported that around 200 students at Prince of Songkhla University’s Pattani Campus staged a flash mob protest called “Students from Rusamilae Do Not Care for the Dictators.” The students made protest banners together and delivered political speeches, as well as read aloud their collective statement calling for the following changes:
- The Constitution Drafting Assembly must be elected and start drafting a new constitution.
- A nationwide referendum must be held to allow people to vote for the new constitution.
- Government officials who are currently holding positions in independent organizations due to the appointments by the military junta National Council for Peace and Order must resign.
- General Prayuth Chan-Ocha must resign as Prime Minister.
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
Hashtag: #INeedtoStudyButIAlsoHateDesserts
Proposal:
The Standard reported that students at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang gathered at 5 pm in a flash mob protest. They made large protest banners together and held protest signs that expressed a variety of political opinions. Reportedly, the protest was held in response to the Constitutional Court’s undemocratic decision on 21 February 2020 to dissolve the Future Forward Party.
After making protest signs and banners together, the protestors stood in silence together for one minute to commemorate the deaths of political activists. Then they sang the song “For the People.” The lead singer was an elderly man who opens a grass jelly shop in the university; he was one of the student activists who participated in the popular uprising on 14 October 1973.
Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University
Hashtag: #RajabhatVersusSalim
Proposal:
Around 50 Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University students gathered together in a rally, raised protest signs that said, “Down with Dictatorship” and flashed a three-finger salute as a gesture of protest against the government. The demonstration took only 15 minutes. The crowd quickly dispersed because the university reportedly did not permit the students to use its precincts for political purposes.
Chiang Rai Province
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that many people wearing black outfits gathered together at the Rama V Lawn in front of Chiang Rai Province’s old town hall. Their activities included delivering political speeches and making protest signs together. This protest was notified to Police Colonel Kittipong Sukwattanapan, Superintendent of Chiang Rai City Police Station, in advance according to the law. Subsequently, Pol. Col. Kittipong sent a document summarizing six legal conditions for hosting a public assembly to the person who filed the notification. One of the conditions was about the use of amplifiers.
The protest organizer thought he should file a petition to the Chiang Rai municipality office, requesting to use amplifiers during the protest. Therefore, he went to the office and was asked to fill out some documents. However, one of the documents required a local police officer’s signature. When the organizer contacted Chiang Rai City Police Station, the police officers refused to sign the document. Eventually, he decided to hold the protest despite their inability to request for using the amplifiers.
Later, on 3 March 2020, the organizer was contacted by a police officer, asking him to go to Chiang Rai City Police Station. He was charged with the fine of 200 THB for violating the Public Advertisement by Sound Amplifier Control Act B.E. 2493 by using the amplifiers without official permission.
Silapakorn University’s Sanamchan Campus
Hashtag: #SilapakornJoiningIn
Proposal:
More than 500 students joined the demonstration called “Free Silapakorn For Democracy.” The students issued a collective statement and set up the Silapakorn Student Council with the goal to advance democracy and social justice. They raised protest signs to express their opposition to General Prayuth Chan-Ocha and stood in silence for 88 seconds before ending the demonstration.
Silapakorn Univesity’s Petchaburi Campus
Hashtag: #SilapakornJoiningIn
Proposal:
Manager Online reported that more than 150 students at Silapakorn Univesity’s Petchaburi Campus gathered together in an outdoor exercise park inside the university and held a pro-democracy rally under the name of “Free Silapakorn For Democracy.” They held protest signs and turned on their smartphones’ flashlight for 30 seconds. Then they flashed a three-finger salute for another 30 seconds as a gesture of their support for democracy. According to the information received, the rally was observed by at least 20 officials from various units including the Petchaburi provincial office of Internal Security Operations Command, Petchaburi Provincial Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Divison, Cha-Am Police Station, and Cha-Am District’s administrative offices.
Khon Kaen University
Hashtag: KKUIsDoneWithInjustice
Proposal:
Prachatai reported that at least 2,000 students and pro-democracy citizens participated in a rally called “KKU Is Done with Injustice.” They also organized a motorcade and the vehicle in the center had the sign that says, “Down with Dictatorship! Democracy Will Flourish.” Political activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa or Pai Daodin, together with his friends, joined this protest by taking part in music performance and delivering a speech. Jatupat said that everyone was fed up with the state’s constant bullying of the people and opposition parties.
The student protestors were using the hashtag that said “KKU is done. Let’s fight for the liberties and rights that we dream of.”
Walailuk University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Prachatai reported that Walailuk University students organized a protest under the name of “The People Are Standing Up, Challenging Power” at the Lawn of Banyan (Lan Sai) near the university’s cafeteria. Around 500 students and faculty members participated in the protest where they made protest signs and banners together. The signs contained political messages, such as “We Do Not Eat Colorful Desserts”, “#TYFA (TuYouFuckingAsshole), and “This Country Belongs to the People.” Moreover, one secondary school student from a school in Thailand’s southern region also went on stage to deliver a speech during this protest.
27 February 2020
Triam Udom Suksa School
Hashtag: #TriamUdomDoesn’tBowToDictators
Proposal: The government must be a true representation of people’s voices.
At 8:30 am, Triam Udom Suksa School students organized the flash mob protest under the slogan of “Triam Udom Doesn’t Bow to Dictators.” Around six uniformed police officers from a local police station, together with a few plainclothes officers, observed the protest. Students took turns delivering speeches about political participation for people of all ages and levels of education. They also invited the youth to stand up for their rights, to determine their future. Moreover, they mentioned the inseparability of schools and politics. Former students of Triam Udom Suksa schools, such as Jit Phumisak, had actively participated in politics. Many of them also attended the PDRC protest. Therefore, the students may continue to exercise their rights to organize politically. The goal of their protest was to call for a truly democratic society and express dissent against the government that came to power with an illegitimate means.
During the protest, students also made protest signs and banners together.
Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna’s Payap Campus
Hashtag: #ProtestAtTheFoothill
Proposal: The Prime Minister must resign and dissolve the Parliament.
Students at the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna’s Payap Campus organized the activity “Protest at the Foothill” at the basketball field inside their university. The protest began at around 5 pm. Approximately 300 – 400 students showed up; some of them are students at Chiang Mai University. Around 20 plainclothes police officers were there to take photos and shoot videos of the protest. Moreover, some faculty members also observed the event and ordered a security guard to take pictures and shoot videos of the students.
The students took turns delivering speeches about injustices administered by the current government and the Constitutional Court. They urged the Prime Minister to resign and dissolve the Parliament. The protest ended at around 6 pm. The organizers reported that a professor sent for them before the protest and informed them that they must keep the protest short, refrain from using bad words, and ensure that most protestors are students at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna’s Payap Campus. The professor also told the organizers that the university had been in contact with police officers concerning this protest.
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
Hashtag: #HeroPavilionIsNotJustAShelterFromTheRain
Proposal:
At 5 pm, students at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi gathered together in a flash mob protest at the Hero Pavilion (Sala Wirachon) inside the university. The organizers asked protestors to use alcohol gel and wear face masks to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. At least 10 plainclothes officers observed the protest and took photos of all activities and handouts produced the protest organizers. At 5:30 pm, four uniformed police officers went into the university to speak with university staffs. Then they left without going into the protest area.
The protest began at 5:30 pm. One protest organizer delivered a speech about the mass uprising on 14 October 1973 and mentioned Mr. Sompong Ployreungratsami, a student who died during this uprising. According to the speech, the Wirachon pavilion where the protest was being held was built in commemoration of Mr. Sompong’s death. Then other students took turns delivering speeches that touched upon various political issues in Thailand ranging from discrimination in law enforcement, human rights violations, and economic downturns. They also expressed their desire to forge a truly democratic political system in this country.
At 7 pm, the protestors sang the song “The Starlight of Faith” written by Jit Phumisak while they opened their smartphones’ flashlights as a symbolic gesture of protest. Then the protest ended.
Sri Patum University (SPU)
Hashtags: #SPUIsScaredOfMobilizingBecauseThe11thInfantryIsJustNextDoor #LotusInBloomAgainstStupidGov’t
Proposal:
Around 100 people gathered at Sri Patum University at 5 pm for a demonstration. Approximately 10 plainclothes officers observed and took photos of the protest. Many people, including Dr. Todsaporn Serirak, a former MP Candidate from Thai Raksa Chart Party, two Sri Patum University alumni, and two current students, delivered political speeches about the dissolution of the Future Forward Party and economic issues under the current government’s administration.
Notably, the protestors did not turn on their smartphone’s flashlights as a gesture of protest as in other demonstrations. All activities were finished at around 6:30 pm.
Prince of Songkhla University’s Surat Thani Campus
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Around 50 students at Prince of Songkhla University’s Surat Thani Campus gathered for a flash mob protest. During the activity, the students made protest signs and banners together. The organizers had set up the rule that they must not write down any defamatory messages. Throughout the activities, at least 10 security officers were present to observe and took photos of the students. Many of them stood close to the students who were writing down messages on protest banners, kept a watchful eye on all activities, and asked for some participants’ full names and telephone numbers.
Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University
Hashtag: #SNRUStudentsJoinTheFightAgainstInjustice
Proposal:
The student demonstration at the Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat Univesity began at 5:00 pm. Three uniformed police officers requested to take photos with the protest organizers. During the activity, both plainclothes and uniformed police officers observed the event, took photos, and looked at protest signs that the students had made, but they did not obstruct the event.
Nakhon Panom University
Hashtag: #LeanOnMekongNotDictators
Proposal:
The demonstration at Nakhon Panom University went smoothly. Police officers from the Special Branch bureau observed the event. One day before the event was held, a military officer from the provincial office of Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) went into the university to discuss this event with professors. Initially, the officer told the professors that he was a village headman and then revealed his true status as a representative from the ISOC later.
Thammasat University’s Lampang Campus
Hashtag: #TULampangCampusHatesDictatorship
Proposal:
At around 5:00 pm, approximately 200 students from Thammasat University’s Lampang Campus gathered together to write political messages on a piece of paper and pasted them on a board provided by the protest organizers. Plainclothes officers observed the event from surrounding areas. Then student representatives took turns delivering speeches. At 6:30 pm, the protestors sang together, opened the flashlight from their smartphones, and subsequently dispersed.
Kasetsart University’s Sriracha Campus
Hashtag: #KUCampusInFrontOfTheSeaBehindTheMountainAgainstUncle
Proposal:
Thairath Online reported that around 500 Kasetsart University students gathered together for a flash mob inside the university’s Sriracha Campus. Police Colonel Prasong Siritipwanich, Superintendent of the Laem Chabang police station, together with Mr. Narisara Tippayangkoon, Chief of Security Affairs Section in Sriracha District, inquiry officers, and other volunteer officers, were also present there to observe the demonstration. Students delivered political speeches and made protest signs. They also raised a three-finger salute to express their dissent against the dictatorship.
Ramkhamhaeng University
Hashtag: #PhorKhun’sChildrenDon’tServeDictators (Phor Khun refers to King Ramkhamhaeng)
Proposal:
Prachatai reported that Ramkhamhaeng University students and pro-democracy citizens gathered at the Poh Khun Ramkamhaeng lawn inside the university. Students took turns delivering political speeches that touched upon various issues, including Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan’s purchases of luxurious rings and watches and Deputy Minister of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry Thammanat Prompao’s history of being convicted for a drug-related offense. Police Colonel Lerdsak Kiamsap, Superintendent of Hua Mak Police Station, stated that the police officers were present at the protest to ensure public order. When he was asked how many police officers were deployed, he did not say the exact number but mentioned that they tried to blend into the crowd because they were afraid of malicious “third parties.”
Prince of Songkla University’s Had Yai Campus
Hashtag: #HowCan6MillionPiecesofDustFightAgainst9Voices
Proposal:
Matichon Online reported that students from Prince of Songkla University’s Had Yai Campus gathered together and took turns delivering speeches at 5 pm. In their speeches, the students called for democracy and declared that power must belong to the people.
Maha Sarakham University
Hashtag: #We’reFarawayButSendingOurHeartsFromOurOctagonCourtyard
Proposal: Draft a new constitution
Students from Maha Sarakham University gathered together to express their political stance. Representatives of student protestors took turns delivering speeches and write down messages that criticized the establishment factions. The students also called for the drafting of a new constitution which must include a truly inclusive, participatory process for the people.
Rangsit University
Hashtags: #RangsitUniversityAgainstDictatorship #BlueMagentaIsNotADessert (Rangsit University’s colors are blue and magenta.)
Proposal:
Prachatai reported that the student group “Rangsit Payom Kao” hosted the demonstration “Rangsit Against Dictatorship” at Phra Sri Satsada Lawn inside Rangsit University. Hundreds of students participated in this demonstration.
Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University
Hashtag: #SuanSunandhaStudentsDoNotServeDictators
Proposal:
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok
Hashtag: #ReadAgainstDictatorship
Proposal:
Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin’s Salaya Campus
Hashtag:
Proposal:
28 February 2020
Suksanari School
Hashtag: #SuksanariNotHappyWithDictatorship
Proposal:
At 10 am, around 30 Suksanari School students gathered in a flash mob protest inside a garden in front of their school. Initially, the students had planned to meet inside the school, but the administration barred them from organizing the activity inside the school’s precincts, so they moved it to the garden outside the school. One student reported that the school was on a semester break, so the students would not have been able to enter into the school anyway. School staffs were also cleaning the venue where the students had initially planned to organize the protest.
The students delivered political speeches, read political poems, and made protest signs together. According to her interview with the press, the protest organizer said that they were hosting the event because the Constitutional Court decided to dissolve the Future Forward Party and current economic problems. She also emphatically stated that “We, students, all know what is happening in this country. We are not stupid.”
At least 10 plainclothes officers observed the protest. Some of them were police officers from Bupparam Police Station. After the protest ended at 11:00 am, three officers from this police station approached the protest organizer, asking her to inform them if the students organize this kind of activity, so that they could come to observe it again.
Suankularb Wittayalai School
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Initially, Suankularb Wittayalai School planned to organize a protest in response to the dissolution of the Future Forward Party on the evening of 28 February 2020. However, later, a Twitter user circulated a document claimed to be an official announcement from the school which barred the students from organizing political or sports activities without official permission from the school administration.
According to the announcement, students may organize some activities under the school’s regulations. Should their activity be against the law, the Nation, the Religion, the Monarchy, and national unity, the school would prohibit them from using the school’s precincts. Eventually, the students did not organize the demonstration as planned.
Horwang School in Nonthaburi Province
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Thairath Online reported that ten high school students from Horwang School gathered at the football stadium of the school and brought protest signs with messages about calling for democracy and put them on the bleachers. 30 minutes later, police inspectors from Pak Kred Police Station came to the scene and the student protestors took down the signs and went home.
Mae Fah Luang University
Hashtag: #DemocracyWillBloomOnLandao
Proposal:
On 28 February 2020, at 5:30 pm, the “Democracy Supporters” group from Mae Fah Luang University organized a flash mob protest called “Democracy Will Bloom On Lan Dao” with the university’s permission. During the protest, the students delivered political speeches and sang together. Five plainclothes officers attended the event to observe the students’ activities. Around 1,000 students participated in this protest, which ended at 7:00 pm.
Chantaburi Province
Hashtag: #ChantaburiStandingUpForOurselves
Proposal:
On 28 February 2020, at least 800 people in Chantaburi province – secondary school and university students, together with pro-democracy citizens- gathered in a flash mob rally called “Chantaburi Standing Up For Ourselves” to protest against the abuses of power of General Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s government.
Protestors made protest signs and banners together and delivered speeches about the current government’s lack of legitimacy and their records of human rights violations. After the activities were finished, they sang “Do You Hear the People Sing?” together. At least eight police officers in uniform and five in plain clothes observed the protest.
Initially, this protest was initiated by Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University students. However, the university did not allow them to organize it inside the university’s precinct, causing them to move the venue to the Thung Na Choei Triangle park. Given that the park is in a public area, the students were legally obligated to notify the authorities at least 24 hours before the protest according to the Public Assembly Act. However, they only notified the Chantaburi City police station at 10:00 am on 28 February 2020, which was less than 24 hours before the protest. Moreover, they also notified the Chantaburi Municipality Office that they would be using amplifiers and a commissioned duty officer noted their notification in the official record.
Later, Police Colonel Pongrapee Rapeetawinwan, Superintendent of the Chantaburi City police station, informed the protest organizer that their activity was against the law. However, the organizer could not postpone the protest and, thus, insisted on hosting it on the same date and time. During the protest, the Superintendent of the Chantaburi City police station invoked his power under Section 21 of the Public Assembly Act by ordering the protestors to end their activity by 8 pm due to the illegality of their demonstration.
After the protest, police officers summoned the protest organizer to charge them with two offenses under the Public Assembly Act. The two charges comprised their failures to submit both an advanced notification of public assembly and the application for extension of the notice period; the protest organizer was liable to a fine of 10,000 THB for each charge. Nonetheless, the organizer negotiated with the authorities and they agreed to lower the fines to 2,500 THB for each charge, which amounts to the fine of 5,000 THB in total.
Phetchabun Rajabhat University
Hashtag: #BakKamDislikesSalim
Proposal: Elect new members of CDA and dissolve the Parliament for a re-election
Thai Lawyer for Human Rights reported that there was a flash mob protest at the Pho Khun Pha Mueang lawn inside Phetchabun Rajabhat University. The protest was jointly organized by the “New Generation Against Dictatorship” group and the “Petchabun Citizens for Democracy” group. According to the information received, some professors prohibited their students from participating in the protest. Still, around 150 students and pro-democracy citizens showed up. The protest organizers had made protest banners which called for democracy and insisted on the sovereign power vested in the people and put them up on university buildings.
Protestors made signs together. Then, a representative from the pro-democracy citizen group read aloud the collective statement against dictatorship which demanded the government to respect the people’s rights and liberties and called for a re-election. Moreover, they urged that the government amend the Constitution to allow people to participate in the process of electing the Senates and the Constitution Drafting Assembly.
During the protest, many plainclothes officers took photos of the activities and approached student protestors to ask for their personal information, such as their names and their affiliated faculty. After the activities were finished, the protest organizers went to a restaurant together. Although the restaurant was over 10 kilometers away from the campus, four plainclothes officers who observed the protest followed them to the restaurant. After they finished their meal and was about to get into their car, one officer approached them to ask when they will organize another activity, thereby triggering anxiety and insecurity among the organizers.
Phayao University
Hashtag: #FahMuiDoesn’tTalkToDictators (Fah Mui refers to the gold and purple orchid which is Phayao University’s symbol)
Proposal:
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that, at 5 pm, more than 500 students gathered in a flash mob at Phayao University. Their activities included delivering political speeches and expressing their political opinions on protest signs. As the activities began, police officers parked their cars near the protest venue, blocked the streets, opened light signals in front of the university, and managed the traffic in nearby areas.
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok’s Prachin Buri Campus
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Matichon Online reported that around 200 students at the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok’s Prachin Buri Campus gathered together for a flash mob against dictatorship. Police officers from the Special Branch Bureau, as well as plainclothes officers and Mr. Wuttichai Prasertsuk, Director of the university’s General Affairs department, closely observed the event. During the event, student representatives took turns delivering political speeches whereas many students joined the demonstration with written protest signs.
University of London, United Kingdom
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon
Hashtag: #RatchamonkolWillNoLongerTolerateThis
Proposal:
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University
Hashtag: #KrachiewFlowersWillBloomInLanNampu
Proposal:
Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University
Hashtag: #RajabhatVersusSalim
Proposal:
Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Lampang Rajabhat University
Hashtag: RajabhatProfessorsStandingUp
Proposal:
29 February 2020
Kasetsart University’s Bangkhen Campus
Hashtag: #ReunionAgainstIO(Cha)
Proposal: Amend the 2017 Constitution
On 29 February 2020, at 5 pm, Kasetsart University’s Bangkhen Campus held a flash mob protest called “Reunion Against IO(Cha).” Protestors started to arrive at 4:30 pm and gather near the university’s auditorium. Then student representatives took turns delivering political speeches. According to iLaw’s rough estimation, there were around 1,000 protestors; most of them were wearing black. Plainclothes officers also attended the protest to observe the students’ activities.
At around 6:20 pm, the MC announced that all protestors should be careful when they write down messages on their protest signs. At around 6:40 pm, while Mr. Parit Chiwarak (aka Penguin), a representative from the Student Union of Thailand, was delivering a speech, an unknown man went on stage and said to Penguin, “How dare you say these things?” Then the police officers charged him and brought him to the backstage. The protestors then booed. A turmoil ensued because some protestors tried to run after the man into the backstage.
The protest organizers, therefore, asked all other protestors to return home lest they would not be able to control the crowd. During this attempt to calm down the situation, Penguin continues to deliver his speech. When the speech ended, the organizers asked for their colleagues to become guards to ensure that no one could get into the backstage. Twenty minutes later, police officers took the man out of the protest venue and brought him to a local police station to change his clothes. Then all other activities went and ended smoothly.
Thao Suranari (Ya-Mo) Monument in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Matichon Online reported that, at 4 pm, a group of around six teenagers gathered together in front of the Thao Suranari (Ya-Mo) Monument. Later, one of the female protestors who was wearing a white T-shirt and a mask held up a paper sign that said, “Down with Dictatorship, We Need Democracy.” Security officers came to the assembly and took some photos. The group then dispersed after around 10 minutes of demonstration. Later, iLaw received information that these teenagers were students at one public university in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
National Institute of Development Administration
Hashtag:
Proposal:
1 March 2020
At Ratchaprasong Intersection
Hashtag: PeopleAgainstTheLeaderOfIO
Proposal:
At 5 pm, police officers scattered around the Skywalk and blocked some areas of the walkway near Gaysorn Plaza with barricades. They also set up a team of medics to screen the body temperature of each protestor. Apart from the medical screening, they also created checkpoints where they deployed female police officers to search protestors’ belongings. The barricades, checkpoints, and screening procedures discouraged many people from participating in the protest; several people decided to remain outside the protest area and watched the activities from the outside. At 6:15 pm, the activities were finished. The police officers then removed their barricades.
This activity had been notified to the authorities in accordance with the Public Assembly Act.
Tubtiang Park in Trang Province
Hashtag: TrangKidsDoNotHateThisCountryButWeDespiteDictatorship
Proposal:
The demonstration at Tubtiang Park in Trang Province was led by students from Sapa Rachinee School. However, the school’s administration did not allow the students to organize the demonstration inside the school area, so the venue was moved to Tubtiang Park. The students informed the authorities in advance, following the Public Assembly Act. Inside the event, political officers, as well as military and ISOC officers, were there to observe. They also asked for the participants’ names, took photos of their car plates, and asked them to go home. The event went by smoothly. After that day, a police officer called to ask for more details about the event organizer.
Naresuan University
Hashtag: ComingOutOfTheCoconutShellToEndDictatorship
(The Thai idiom “A frog who lives under a coconut shell (kala) refers to a narrow-minded person who mistakes the world inside their bubble as the entire universe. In contemporary political rhetorics, progressives often compare conservatives to this frog who blindly support the establishment’s narrative of Thailand’s national exceptionalism.)
Proposal:
2 March 2020
Suankularb Nonthaburi School
Hashtag:
Proposal:
On 29 February 2020, Suankularb Nonthaburi School students announced that they will organize a flash mob protest. On the same day, the protest organizer provided an update that the demonstration would take place in front of Suankularb Nonthaburi School because “the school administration has no policy that allows students to organize a political assembly inside an educational institution.” The organizer had also notified the authorities about the demonstration in accordance with the Public Assembly Act. On 1 March, the organizer said that the demonstration has been canceled because it violated Section 8 of the Public Assembly Act which states that no public assembly shall obstruct the gateway of a state agency’s office.
Huachiew University
Hashtag: #FamousUniversityInBangNaSaysGoodByeToColorfulDessert (Referring to salim)
Proposal:
The students successfully organized a flash mob. Before the event, it was reported that Hua Chiew students had put up protest signs in university areas, but university staffs quickly removed them. The flash mob organizers were also warned that they are violating the university regulation which prohibits putting up unauthorized signs inside the university. The student organizers stated that they did not ask for authorization because they were afraid that the university would not let them organize the flash mob. Should the students be warned three times, they will be penalized. Later, the university’s administration called for a meeting among professors about the current political situation.
Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Before the demonstration at Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, police officers asked those who wished to participate in the event to present their national identification card, as well as inform the authorities of their educational institution or affiliated organization. They claimed that these checks were carried out as a safety measure to prevent Covid-19 infection in public spaces. As a result, some people were too afraid to participate in the protest. Reportedly, five uniformed police officers were stationed at the protest venue. It was unclear how many plainclothes officers were there. The police officers took some photos during the activity but did not directly interrupt them.
Yala Rajabhat University (YRU)
Hashtag: #YRU_StandsWithThePeople
Proposal:
Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
4 March 2020
Ramkhamhaeng University’s Bangna Campus
Hashtag:
Proposal:
Matichon Online reported that, at 5 pm, student protestors started to arrive at Ramkamhaeng University’s Bangna Campus. Student representatives then took turns delivering political speeches. After the demonstration ended, one protestor threw a rubber snake onto the ground and stomped on it, yelling “Get out Monton!” The protestor was referring to Mr. Monton Po-Kai, the District 20 MP from the Future Forward Party who defected to Bhumjaithai Party.”
Thaksin University
Hashtag: ThaksinStudentsOfTheSouthWantsToFightAgainstDictatorship
Proposal:
The Facebook Page “Sirote Klampaiboon” reported that students from Thaksin University’s Rural Development Volunteer Club based in the Songkhla Campus organized a flash mob rally in which participants wore black outfits as a symbolic gesture of protest against dictatorship.
5 March 2020
Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
On 5 March 2020, the organizers canceled the flash mob at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University reportedly due to the requests of executive members and the concerns of some university staffs.
6 March 2020
Chiang Mai University
Hashtags: #TheWhiteElephantWillNotTolerateThis #Thin-FacedUniversity
#UniversitiesBelongToThePeople
Proposals:
1. The Prime Minister must resign from his position
2. Parliamentary dissolution
3. New constitution
4. Decentralization
5. Protection of students’ freedom of expression guaranteed by universities
On 6 March 2020, Chiang Mai University’s Democracy Club led a flash mob protest against General Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s government at the Sala Tham area of Chiang Mai University. Around 400 – 500 protestors- mostly students at Chiang Mai University and the Chiang Mai Rajamangala University of Technology, as well as pro-democracy ordinary citizens, had started to arrive at the venue since 4 pm. The protest then began at 5 pm. One day before the protest, the university’s administration asked the protest organizers to move the venue from Sala Tham to Sala Angkaew, but the organizers insisted on keeping the same location.
Moreover, on 4 March 2020, Chiang Mai University issued a guideline for students who wish to organize activities. According to this guideline, the students must notify the university for 48 hours before the activities to ensure the prevention of COVID-19. The guideline was published on Facebook on 5 March 2020, which meant that the students would never have had enough time to notify the university before organizing the protest on 6 March 2020. Despite their failure to notify the university within the required timeframe, the protest organizers set up three checkpoints for COVID-19 and recruited volunteers to check each protestor’s body temperature before joining the activity. They also provided alcohol gel and put a sticker on every person who passed the temperature check to ensure that all who joined the protest are free of COVID-19.
The activities during the protest switched back and forth between political speeches by university students and a musical performance by volunteer musicians. The students demanded many changes from the government; their main proposals included the following:
- The new constitution must be drafted with the effective participation of the people through popular election the constitution drafting assembly.
- General Prayuth Chan-Ocha must resign as Prime Minister and dissolve the Parliament to pave the way for fair re-election.
- The legacies of the National Council for Peace and Order which came to power by the military coup in 2014 must be addressed. All officers involved in staging the coup must be legally punished for tearing apart the previous constitution.
In their speeches, some students also proposed the government to adopt the draft bill on the administration of Chiang Mai province B.E. … as a measure of decentralization and urged universities to protect their students’ rights, academic freedom, and freedom of expression.
During the protest, many students held up protest signs with messages against General Prayuth’s government and protest arts created by a group of university students. The protest went smoothly. At around 8 pm, the protestors sang the song “For the People” and “The Starlight of Faith” while they opened their smartphones’ flashlights as a symbolic gesture of protest before the protest ended.
According to iLaw’s observation, the protest organizers had well prepared their amplifiers. However, fewer people showed up than expected, especially when compared to the demonstration on 25 February 2020. It was possibly due to the rapidly growing fear of the COVID-19 outbreak and some students’ overlapping schedule between the protest and their classes. There was no report of official intervention or harassment during the protest. Some plainclothes military or police officers might have been hiding inside the crowd of protestors. However, it was relatively challenging to identify the authorities in plainclothes because most protestors were wearing masks and hats.
Uttaradit Rajabhat University
Hashtag:
Proposal:
