It’s not black and white at Thammasat
Prejudice, sexual violence still exist at this so-called liberal university, writes Patpon Sabpaitoon
Black and white uniforms are usually ubiquitous at most Thai universities — but not at Thammasat University. Formed by Pridi Banomyong over eight decades ago, the university has been perceived as a bastion of liberal values and non-conformity in the country.
The campus, especially at Tha Phrachan near Sanam Luang, has been associated as a focal point of political revolution and the history of the university is underlined with student protests in the 70s.
Its university students have always been perceived as non-conformists. Students at the university often wear casual clothes. Many wear short pants and sandals into class. University executives don’t seem to worry about this.
While students at conservative universities such as Chulalongkorn follow a dress code which extends to the colour of students’ shoes, Thammasat University allows students to wear uniforms with footwear ranging from rubber sandals or fresh-offthe-runway Christian Louboutin heels.
The image of liberalism and non-conformity that symbolise the university is challenged, however, by the case of Kathawut “Kath” Khangpiboon, a transgender woman and social activist, who has been been disqualified from getting a teaching position, on the ground of profanity.
“The mantra ‘Freedom in every square inch’ is so untrue. Prejudice and sexual violence still exist at Thammasat.
The university just chooses to cover up the problem and pretend these things never happen,” Ms Kath told the Bangkok Post.
The fight between Ms Kath and one of the most famous universities took place in 2015 when Ms Kath applied for a teaching post at the Social Science Faculty at the university’s Lampang campus.
She was shortlisted before learning that she was disqualified by the screening committee.
She made an appeal to the university to no avail. Also a founder of a group to promote rights for transgenders in Thailand, Ms Kath went to the Administrative Court and sued the university.
Ms Kath told the Post with her iconic fiercely drawn eyeliner and red lipstick look that the reason used to disqualify her was in fact “discrimination based on gender bias”.
Thammasat University’s rector denied the accusation. Somkid Lertpaitoon insisted the university disqualified Kath because of her “profanity act” — her inappropriate behaviour and use of social media.
Ms Kath once posted on her Instagram a picture of a penis-shaped pink lipstick given to her by a friend.
Ms Kath refused to accept the rector’s explanation. “The university just uses the term ‘act of profanity’ as a mask to justify its decision to disqualify me,” she said.
She decided to sue the university. The case has been perceived as one of David wrestling Goliath.
Ms Kath said she started losing hope to win her right to teach at the university she loved. But early this month, the court ruled the university was wrong to disqualify Ms Kath on the ground of profanity.
The court, stressing freedom of expression according to the interim constitution, said, though Kath’s posts are “a bit short of appropriateness”, it was just to show off the lipstick gifted by her friend.
Moreover, the four posts used against Ms Kath, though profane, were not direct attacks on anybody.
They were directed to Ms Kath’s friends and followers and were not readily accessible by the public, and so shouldn’t affect Ms Kath’s prospect position.
The court added that when Ms Kath was a special lecturer at the faculty, there was no allegation of any bad behaviour
The court, however, did not decide on the accusation that the university is gender-biased.
The court verdict released on March 8 required the university to accept Ms Kath as lecturer within 60 days.
After the victory, Ms Kath still believes she was disqualified because of her gender.
“One of those who disqualifed me was my teacher. She made it very clear since my undergrad year that she was not OK with me being me,” she said.
Ms Kath then recounted the time when that professor followed her to the bathroom and made a cutting remark about the length of her skirt and the fact she was using the ladies’ room.
Ms Kath said her case is not the first and that she had heard of cases in which gay males applying for teaching positions at Thammasat University had been disqualified for being “too feminine”.
Those victims of gender bias, however, didn’t want to take the matter further.
“But those people didn’t want or didn’t know how to speak up. But not me, because it is not fair to let it be,” she said.
Known as an activist on gender bias issues, Ms Kath said problems of transgenders in Thailand are complex.
“Transgender women, as well as LGBTQ, were often dismissed on the basis of sexual identity,” she said.
“Their merit as professionals, qualifications, experience, and skills are completely disregarded.
“It’s not hard if you are beautiful or have high social status, but for those who are less fortunate it could be difficult. To be a good transgender, one has to be funny or able to entertain, or beautiful or smart, or both.”
Twelve transgenders have been killed in various crimes the past two years, she said.
“But society and authority behave indifferently towards these cases. They tend to think these transgenders brought their fate on themselves by being who they are.”
Ms Kath still hopes things will improve. She said negotiation and education can influence society to behave fairly. As for the Thammasat job, if they offer a position she likes pursuant to the court order, she’ll take it.
“A confrontational approach might not work on all issues. Lack of understanding and knowledge are the root cause of gender discrimination. If we can educate them we can somehow help shift their views a little,” said Ms Kath, who is also interested in politics.
Her name shows up on the list of members of Anakot Mai, the up-and-coming political party formed by a group of young progressives.
The party was launched by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, executive vice-president of the Thai Summit Group.
The mantra ‘Freedom in every square inch’ is so untrue. Prejudice and sexual violence still exist at Thammasat. KATH KHANGPIBOON A TRANSGENDER SOCIAL ACTIVIST