THE Immigration Bureau police today (March 10) denied having barred foreign students from attending political gatherings as announced by some educational institutes in Pathum Thani province, Thai Rath newspaper said.
Pol. Col Phakphong Saiubol, deputy director of Immigration Division 1 and deputy spokesman of the Immigration Bureau, said no such order with a warning that the visas of foreign students doing so could be revoked had been issued.
In fact the head of Pathum Thani Immigration police had verbally told various educational institutions in the province that with increased Covid-19 infection arising from some fresh markets, which was a big cluster, should foreign students attend such rallies there was a risk that they could spread the infection to wider circles.
“I would like to confirm that the Immigration Division never issued a notice banning foreign students from joining political gatherings only that they be careful about possible spreading of this disease,” he said.
Pol. Col Phakphong added that the Immigration Bureau understood the rights of everyone under Thai constitution.
However foreign students were warned that if they committed illegal acts in this country, and if those were considered criminal offenses, this could affect their status as a student here.
Moreover gatherings could only take place within the scope of the law.
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Top: A large political rally held here recently. Photo: Thai Rath
Home Page: “Bad students” protesters gathering on the road beneath BTS Siam station on November 21, 2020. Photo: Thai Rath
