Thammasat Univer-sity's rector yesterday refused to comment on an online petition demanding that he choose between his current post and serving on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

"I have no comment because I haven't seen the petition. You are the fifth person who called to ask me," professor Suraphol Nitikraipol told The Nation yesterday.

The rector said he had been briefed about the petition, however. "But I am busy moving house. I will read it tomorrow [October 30]," he said.

A group of Thammasat students and alumni calling itself the "Dome Daeng Group" launched the online petition on Saturday at www.petitiononline.com/ domedang/petition.html.

The petition states that the coup leaders are trying to pool reputable people, academics and high-ranking civil servants into its mechanisms, including the NLA, because they expect these people to guarantee and build

up the legitimacy of the coup

d'etat.

The group also reminded the rector of his own words, quoting him from an interview with Sarakadee magazine last year: "If you don't respect the law, then others don't need to respect your power."

At press time, the petition had been signed by nearly 100 people, including Thammasat students and alumni, and lecturers including former rector Charnvit Kasetsiri, Assoc Prof Thanet Aphornsuwan, Dr Kasem Penpinan, Yukti Mukdawichitr and Prajak Kongkirati.

Former senator Jon Ungphakorn also signed the petition and suggested Suraphol resign as rector in order to set a good precedent.

Jon said he respected the decision by Suraphol and others who believed in democracy to accept appointment to the NLA.

But Suraphol should not go as a Thammasat representative when members of the university's community did not agree with his acceptance of the NLA seat, he said.