PHUKET: Monday is shaping as a historic day for Thailand - and one of Phuket's most respected educators is telling university students and teaching staff to become involved.
Dr Athit Urairat, owner of Phuket's British International School and Bangkok's Rangsit University, has given the university's staff and teachers the day off.
''You can study anytime,'' he said. ''But if Thailand is destroyed, we won't have a future.''
Dr Athit noted that not only is the amnesty bill causing controversy, but Monday will see a decision made by the UN's highest court on where the border lies around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by Thailand and Cambodia.
''Monday will be an important day for the nation of Thailand and for residents of Thailand,'' he said.
He closed the university for the day and urged staff and students to ''join activities.''
On Sunday afternoon, ''red'' supporters were scheduled to join in a protest in favor of the amnesty bill. Anti-amnesty bill demonstrations have been swelling crowds on Bangkok's streets all week.
The ruling Pheu Thai party has backed away from the amnesty bill. But the proposed legislation comes before the Senate again on Monday.
Senators first considered the future of the proposed law on Friday. Too many were absent to establish a quorum for a vote.
Passed by the House of Representatives on November 1, the amnesty bill is seen by a growing number of people as offering corrupt officials a pardon for crimes that extend as far back as 2004. It also could possibly enabling the return to Thailand of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
His sister Yingluck, the current PM, has distanced herself from the voting process but said repeatedly that the bill is about national reconciliation and a restoration if harmony, not corruption.
Although Dr Athit owns the BIS on Phuket, there was no mention of the school today and his comments were directed at Rangsit University students in Bangkok, centre of the protest.
The popular holiday island of Phuket, 850 kilometres south of Bangkok, is considered to remain a secure destination for tourists. At least nine countries have issued travel advisories warning citizens to avoid gatherings of large numbers of people in Bangkok.
Last night, a large sign at the Tesco Lotus intersection on Phuket which carries an image of PM Yingkuck, was doctored.
Her photo and the wording thanking the PM for the budget for the intersection's underpass was replaced with a new billboard carrying an image of HM The King and the words ''Long Live HM The King.''
Protests so far have been non-violent and issues of security have been negotiated in talks between police and demonstrators.
The debate about the amnesty bill has carried many traditional ''red'' political supports across the lines to support ''yellow'' activists on this particular issue, with many professional groups of doctors, academics and even judges stating their opposition to the bill.
Onlookers remain concerned that the ''red'' versus ''yellow'' divide, which has increasingly embittered politics in Thailand for years, could eventually lead to violence unless real harmony is restored quickly.
Adding to the uncertainty on Monday will be Thailand's fiercest nationalists. They are likely to take to the streets whichever way the decision goes on the disputed temple.
Dr Athit Urairat, owner of Phuket's British International School and Bangkok's Rangsit University, has given the university's staff and teachers the day off.
''You can study anytime,'' he said. ''But if Thailand is destroyed, we won't have a future.''
Dr Athit noted that not only is the amnesty bill causing controversy, but Monday will see a decision made by the UN's highest court on where the border lies around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by Thailand and Cambodia.
''Monday will be an important day for the nation of Thailand and for residents of Thailand,'' he said.
He closed the university for the day and urged staff and students to ''join activities.''
On Sunday afternoon, ''red'' supporters were scheduled to join in a protest in favor of the amnesty bill. Anti-amnesty bill demonstrations have been swelling crowds on Bangkok's streets all week.
The ruling Pheu Thai party has backed away from the amnesty bill. But the proposed legislation comes before the Senate again on Monday.
Senators first considered the future of the proposed law on Friday. Too many were absent to establish a quorum for a vote.
Passed by the House of Representatives on November 1, the amnesty bill is seen by a growing number of people as offering corrupt officials a pardon for crimes that extend as far back as 2004. It also could possibly enabling the return to Thailand of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
His sister Yingluck, the current PM, has distanced herself from the voting process but said repeatedly that the bill is about national reconciliation and a restoration if harmony, not corruption.
Although Dr Athit owns the BIS on Phuket, there was no mention of the school today and his comments were directed at Rangsit University students in Bangkok, centre of the protest.
The popular holiday island of Phuket, 850 kilometres south of Bangkok, is considered to remain a secure destination for tourists. At least nine countries have issued travel advisories warning citizens to avoid gatherings of large numbers of people in Bangkok.
Last night, a large sign at the Tesco Lotus intersection on Phuket which carries an image of PM Yingkuck, was doctored.
Her photo and the wording thanking the PM for the budget for the intersection's underpass was replaced with a new billboard carrying an image of HM The King and the words ''Long Live HM The King.''
Protests so far have been non-violent and issues of security have been negotiated in talks between police and demonstrators.
The debate about the amnesty bill has carried many traditional ''red'' political supports across the lines to support ''yellow'' activists on this particular issue, with many professional groups of doctors, academics and even judges stating their opposition to the bill.
Onlookers remain concerned that the ''red'' versus ''yellow'' divide, which has increasingly embittered politics in Thailand for years, could eventually lead to violence unless real harmony is restored quickly.
Adding to the uncertainty on Monday will be Thailand's fiercest nationalists. They are likely to take to the streets whichever way the decision goes on the disputed temple.
The should make protesting an Olympic sport. Thailand would win gold every time.
They seem to protest at the drop of a hat these days, from local, to regional, to national to international issues.
When you see academics not just condoning but actively encouraging such protests, you begin to wonder where Thailand is heading.
Posted by Logic on November 10, 2013 15:40