Around 300 student activists representing the Students Federation of Thailand (SFT) and different universities including King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok (KMIT-NB), Ramkhamhaeng University, and Chulalongkorn University, gathered in front of parliament at 1.00 pm on 29 August 2007 to demand withdrawal of the KMIT-NB University Privatization Bill and other university privatization bills.   

Mr. Pataradanai Jongkrue, a student from KMIT-NB and one of the protest leaders said that there have been extensive protests by students against university privatization plans since December 2006. This led to a decision by Prof. Dr. Vichit Srisa-arn, the Education Minister, to hold public hearings on privatization bills for different universities. However, no action was taken by the universities until the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) re-introduced the bills for re-examination. In some cases, students conducting educational campaigns on the privatization plans have been given warnings by their universities.  

In the protest in front of the parliament, the students asked NLA members to come out to receive a letter containing the group's demands. However, there was no response from the NLA. Around 2.00 pm, the students then moved to block the road in front of parliament house despite the heavy downpour. At 3.00 pm, they later moved to close U-Thong intersection, while police negotiated with them not to block the traffic.  

Mr. Pataradanai stated that the students agreed to withdraw, but on condition that the students could enter parliament house to escape the heavy rain. At the same time Pol. Col. Chalothorn Sritawachpong, Dusit Police Station Superintendent, used an amplifier to denounce the students and ordered the arrest of student leaders, which lead to confusion. Some of the students linked arms to prevent their leaders from being arrested. One Ramkhamhaeng student was arrested.  

"The Dusit Police Station Superintendent then became furious. He got out of his car, threw away his hat, pointed his finger at the students, and started scolding the students harshly. He also tried to get close the student speaking on the car. We linked arms around the car to prevent him from reaching the speaker. There was a bit of chaotic pushing. Pol. Col. Chalothorn, the Dusit Police Station Superintendent then punched one of the students and grabbed his neck. A student from Ramkhamhaeng who was standing in the outer circle was then arrested", said Mr. Pataradanai.  

He asserted that the detained Ramkhamhaeng student was eventually release. The students demanded to talk to either Mr. Meechai Ruchupan, the President of the NLA or NLA member Mr. Jirmsak Pinthong, but the two did not come out to meet the group. Mr. Wuttichai Wachareerat, Deputy Secretary-General of the Senate who came out to receive the letter.  

The students later demanded an apology from the police for what had happened. Pol. Col. Chalothorn then got onto the vehicle with the amplifier and told the students that he was only an ordinary citizen who wears a police uniform. He wanted the students to understand him, as everyone had a role to play. He said under normal conditions, traffic around parliament is always congested, and with the downpour it had become worse.  

"I have to apologize sincerely for what happened", Pol. Maj. Chalothorn said. At around 4.30 pm, the student group dispersed peacefully.  

At the NLA meeting, chaired by Mr. Meechai Ruchupan, President, the ad hoc committee decided to pass the KMIT-NB Act by a vote of 114 to 1. Once the act is published in the Royal Gazette, KMIT-NB will become the 2^nd university to be privatized, after Mahidol University, during the government of General Surayud Chulanont. Other draft university privatization acts that are in the parliamentary process relate to Burapha University, Chulalongkorn University, and Thaksin University.  

After the result, Mr. Pataradanai said in an interview that the group is discussing its future campaign. He expected that after consultation with lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand, the group will file a complaint directly to the Administrative Court, asking for interim protection so that all university bills, including those already in the hands of the NLA and those to be tabled with the NLA in the future, will be halted until a new government is elected. 

Translated by Pokpong Lawansiri