As a result of the clash between the protestors of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and Thai security forces on 10 April 2010, which caused the injuries and deaths of Thai people from both sides including a foreign national, the Group of Students and Scholars of the Australian National University wish to express our condolences to the families and friends of both sides whose beloved ones were injured and killed. We also wish to express our concern for the political situation at this time and the development of Thailand’s democracy.

    In order to prevent further confrontation and greater loss in the future, the Group of Students and Scholars, the Australian National University, call for the following:

1.    For the government to reduce the level of measures which have created the conditions which have led to violence, and to cease using forceful measures, especially the use of inappropriate weapons against protestors, which only increases the risk of further violent escalation. The government should observe the principles of crowd control in accordance with universal standards.

2.    For the leaders of the UDD to realise that although protesting is right given in the Constitution, at the same time, they must respect the laws and the rights and freedom of other people. They should avoid proceeding to attain their goals without taking into consideration that their actions may lead to violence, in particular, they must not support the use of weapons. The adherence of peaceful protest as announced by the UDD leaders will lead to righteous demands and will more effectively convince every part of Thai society.

3.    For both the government and the UDD leaders to cease their antagonistic stance towards one another.  As such, both sides should create the opportunity to compromise and negotiate, and should not maintain that negotiation means defeat. On the contrary, they must be ready to bring every point of disagreement to negotiations, because negotiations are the best strategy to avoid further loss in the future.  The government and the leaders of the UDD should not create stipulations which will make negotiation impossible, or as is very clear, the other side will not respond.

4.    For the government to create the opportunity for the free expression of opinion. This is the foundation of a democratic society. As such, the government must cease interfering and obstructing news and information in every form of media, in order for the people to access the facts from every side, and to judge the information for themselves.

5.    For the government to proceed with an investigation of the facts and an independent judicial process that is transparent, free of interference and bias leading, in order to be acceptable to every side involved.

Lastly, the Group of Students and Scholars of the Australian National University hope very much that the current confrontation amongst Thai people will be resolved peacefully in the near future, and that it will lead to a process of resolving the political and social problems that are at the true core of the conflict.

Group of Students and Scholars
The Australian National University

Preedee Hongsaton
Thobphon Chulpongsatorn
Pongphisoot Busbarat
Nattakant Akarapongpisak
Craig Reynolds
Chintana Sandilands
Andrew Walker
Tyrell Haberkorn
Ariel Heryanto
Saran Sarntisart
Todsapon Suranukkharin
Akkhaphat Laudhittirut
Satawat Bunyasiriroj
Suankwan Chueysai
Sudakan Rengsiriwatanakul
Thanakrit Sovanapreecha
Pett Jarupaiboon
Sally Howes
Margaret Hulme
Susan Wood
Charlotte Hanson
Stephie Shannon
Huw Slater
Tamara Li
Shane Goldberg
Seo Bokyeong
Harriette Wilson
Cassian Pirard
Peter Firth
Matthew Kelly
Nuchapa Tanasarnsopaporn
Sujittra Pholtrakoolwong
Ying Zhu
Gill Lumsden
Gregore Pio Lopez
Shahbaz Nasir
Sarah Bishop