Photos: Protesting Thai students boycott royal graduation day

Ceremony a rite of passage for graduates with photographs displayed in many Thai homes

Published: October 30, 2020 17:24 Reuters and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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Bangkok: Some students sympathetic to Thai protesters said on Friday they were boycotting graduation ceremonies led by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in a show of anger at the monarchy amid growing calls to reform it. Image Credit: AFP

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The ceremonies, at which the monarch personally hands out degrees, are a rite of passage for graduates and their families with photographs of the moment displayed with pride in many Thai homes. Image Credit: AFP

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But protests since mid-July have brought open criticism of the monarchy and calls to curb its power, defying a longstanding taboo and lese majeste laws that set a jail term of up to 15 years for criticism of the king or his family. Image Credit: AFP

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Suppanat Kingkaew, 23, said he was boycotting the ceremonies being held on Friday and Saturday at Thammasat University, long viewed as a hotbed of radicalism and scene of a massacre of pro-democracy protesters by royalist state forces in 1976. Image Credit: AFP

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"Whatever it takes so that the hall is left with the smallest number of people," Suppanat said. "This is to send an indirect message that some of us are unhappy with the monarchy and we want change." The university did not respond to a request for comment. Image Credit: AFP

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The Palace did not comment, as it has not done since protests began in mid-July. Protests initially called for a new constitution and the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, but then demands evolved to include reducing the monarchy's power. Image Credit: AFP

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It was unclear how many Thammasat students would follow the boycott. Papangkorn Asavapanichakul, 24, said he would attend. "I want the photograph. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event," he said. Image Credit: AFP

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Degree ceremonies presided over by the king began before the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 at a time the palace sought to strengthen its relationship with a growing middle class. Image Credit: AFP

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They gained greater importance under the king's late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who spent decades working to strengthen the prestige of the monarchy - which according to the constitution must be revered. Image Credit: AFP

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Protesters say the king's powers should be reduced and changes that gave him personal control of some army units and the palace fortune should be reversed. They also want the prime minister removed, accusing him of foul play in 2019 elections - an accusation he denies. Image Credit: AFP

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Of those students planning to attend the ceremonies, some said family pressure had outweighed politics. Image Credit: AFP

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"My mother asked me to come," said one 24-year-old student who gave his name only as Japan. "I didn't really want to join it, honestly." Image Credit: AFP

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A student attends her graduation ceremony as other students have boycotted the ceremony due to it being led by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. Image Credit: AFP

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Students wait before their graduation ceremony. Image Credit: AFP

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Photos: Protesting Thai students boycott royal graduation day

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