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‘Phra Kiew’ parade: How Thailand’s oldest university became epicentre of country’s bitter political divide
13 Sept 18:58 Key points summarised by AI
- Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand's oldest institution, has emerged as a battleground for the country's deep political divide, contrasting conservative and royalist factions with liberal and reformist students.
- The CU student union ignited a major controversy by unanimously voting to cancel the traditional 'Phra Kiew' parade, deeming it a symbol of an 'authoritarian system' and 'social inequity,' prompting an official university investigation.
- This decision sparked intense public debate, drawing support from social critics who lauded the union's stand for democratic values, while facing strong criticism from alumni and others who viewed it as an attack on tradition and the monarchy.
- Led by activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, the CU student union has a history of challenging long-held university traditions and actively participating in anti-government and monarchy reform protests, reflecting a growing trend of student activism.
