Rebels plan own ceremony

A group of Thammasat University graduates calling itself “Graduates of the people” is urging others to join its campaign against taking part in the university’s graduation ceremony.

Instead of attending the formal ceremony on Oct 30-31, the group is taking over the Lan Phon ground at the university’s Tha Phrachan campus to celebrate their graduation in a different way.

A number of life-sized cardboard cutouts of people said to be their inspiration for sharpening their thoughts have been erected for graduates and those interested in taking unusual selfies.

The cut-outs include images of former prime minister Pridi Banomyong; Puey Ungphakorn, former rector of Thammasat; exiled academic Somsak Jeamteerasakul who formerly taught at Thammasat; and Bernard, a regular bean seller at Thammasat.

A total of 250 stickers with the text “We are graduates of the people” are being given away every day along with the reading of a statement from the group.

All graduates are also allowed to deliver speeches in a “free microphone” event if they wish.

As with several other universities, the Thammasat graduation is due to take place at a time when the anti-government movement is calling for reform of the monarchy. It is not clear how much interest the alternative graduation idea has drawn.

Thammasat University rector Gasinee Witoonchart said earlier this month that His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, would preside over the ceremony and hand certificates to the graduates on Oct 30 and 31.

Thammasat has also announced that strict Covid-19 prevention measures, including a rapid finger-prick test for Covid-19, will be conducted on every student ahead of the ceremony.