Thai Academics Demand an End to Political Intimidation

Hundreds of Thai academics have signed a letter demanding an end to the intimidation of their peers and students by the country’s junta.

The letter, addressed to junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, called on the regime to “stop intimidating lecturers who sincerely express their political opinions” and to “stop prohibiting students and people from holding political activities,” the Bangkok Post reported.

It also demanded that the junta “stop interfering in the learning and teaching methods of universities.”

The letter, signed by 323 lecturers and professors, comes after several rights groups issued a statement Monday calling on the junta to stop using a law banning gatherings of five or more people to quash academic dissent, the Post said.

In April, the junta enacted a sweeping security decree, granting itself powers to arrest anyone deemed to be jeopardizing national stability or violating its orders. The military was also granted powers to seize assets, censor the media, and detain suspects for up to seven days without charge.

[Bangkok Post]