Uthen-Pathumwan Feud: Govt Suspends Classes for 3 Months
Deputy PM Yoschanan announces four decisive measures, including a 3-month suspension of classes in the disputed area, following Siam BTS violence.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The rivalry between Uthen Thawai and Pathumwan spans generations.
- Sept 7 Siam BTS violence threatened public safety and tourism.
- Govt introduces 4 strict measures including a 3-month class suspension.
- Aiming to separate conflicting parties and restructure the disputed land.
The longstanding conflict between Pathumwan Institute of Technology and Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthen Thawai Campus, is widely regarded as legendary. It transcends typical student brawls, representing a deep-seated rivalry passed down through generations, fueled by institutional pride, retaliation, and an escalation from personal disputes to group clashes that ultimately endanger innocent bystanders, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
The recent outbreak of violence on the Siam BTS Skytrain station platform on September 7 served as an alarming red flag. The Pathumwan and Siam Square districts form the heart of Bangkok, serving as a bustling hub for education, commerce, tourism, and massive daily commuter traffic. When violence erupts here, the damage extends far beyond the immediate rivals, severely impacting public safety, national image, the economy, and tourist confidence.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Relocating a historic educational institution like Uthen Thawai has long been a complex policy challenge due to alumni attachment and institutional heritage. Past administrative approaches often relied on short-term fixes, allowing violence to resurface repeatedly. Implementing strict measures to sever immediate confrontation zones marks a crucial turning point to curb short-term casualties before executing long-term land-use restructuring.
In the past, the government pursued various resolution strategies, such as adjusting academic schedules, staggering hours to minimize contact, establishing dispute mediation committees, and searching for a new campus location for Uthen Thawai. However, a major bottleneck has been the sluggish pace of implementation, which severely lagged behind the relentless cycle of violence.
Consequently, the unveiling of four primary measures by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yoschanan Wongsuwan represents a shift from passive compromise to decisive enforcement. The measures include:
- Suspending classes in the disputed area for at least 3 months to instantly eliminate clash risks.
- Expediting the provision of temporary and permanent new locations for Uthen Thawai.
- Requiring Pathumwan Institute of Technology to formulate a transition plan linking education with industrial sectors.
- Developing the original land into an educational, innovative, and public utility zone, barring commercial utilization.
Experts and individuals closely familiar with the issue view the four measures as a step in the right direction. True resolution requires more than merely separating individuals; it necessitates dividing territories, eliminating collision opportunities, and forging a constructive future for both academic institutions to move forward.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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