THE Thai Lawyers for Human Rights organization came out to support students who have been participating in an anti-dictatorship campaign by pointing out that they have to the right to sue teachers who abuse them under the Thai criminal code, Voice TV reported today (August 19, 2020).
Another demonstration took place in Chiang Mai earlier today with 200 high school students of Yuparaj Wittayalai School gathering in front of the school and giving the three-finger salute and chanting, “may dictatorship perish and long live democracy” three times. This school is considered to be Chiang Mai’s best public school with former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra being an alumni,
Female students had also either pinned white bows on their sleeves or on their bags.
They were closely monitored by their teachers whom they thanked for opening up space for them to express their opinion and then dispersed to go to their classes.
Meanwhile Ms. Montana Duangprapa, a Thai Lawyers for Human Rights official, said if teachers assault students it is considered to be a criminal offense and the students can sue them.
In fact no one has the right to harm anyone, she added.
Montana added that she had received information of some teachers snatching students’ cloth banners and even slapping them on the head and this is considered to be not dangerous bodily harm and is an offense under Section 391 of the Criminal Code.
Because it is considered a crime, the offense cannot just be forgiven with an apology as Section 391 says anyone using force to physically or mentally harm another person is liable to maximum one month in jail and/or 1,000 baht fine.
Abuse includes threatening to cut students’ grades or causing them to become fearful and panicking.
Meanwhile at 10 a.m. today Pathum Thani police announced that Thanyaburi Provincial Court had issued warrants for the arrest of six students leaders of the August 10 rally at Thammasat University Rangsit campus, Sanook.com reported.
The six student leaders are, Ms. Panusaya Sitthichirawattanakul, or Rung; Mr. Panupong Chadnok, or Mike; Mr. Anon Nampha; Mr. Nuttachon Phairoj; Mr. Thanawat Chanphluk or Lukmark; and Mr. Sithinont Songsiri or Fai Chorn.
The charges they face include committing offenses under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, the Communicable Disease Control Act, the Controlling Public Advertisement by Sound Amplifier Act and the Computer Crime Act.
CAPTION:
Top: A student giving the three-finger salute with a white bow tied on her wrist. Thai headline says, “willing to listen.” This refers to the Basic Education Commission moving to allow schools to open space for students to express their opinions yesterday. Photo: Sanook.com
