They urged the NLA to reject the bills.

"After the state universities become autonomous, youths from poor families will lose their educational opportunities, because the tuition fees are set to soar so much that they cannot afford them," said Pakinai Chomsinsap-man, a protest leader from Burapha University.

The protest took place at Parliament House, during which an effigy of Education Minister Wijit Srisa-arn was set aflame.

Pakinai accused some university administrators of advocating the bills in hopes of reaping monetary benefit. "They've already prepared the draft regulations to raise their pay. The maximum salary for a rector will be up to Bt250,000 a month," Pakinai said. "A deputy rector can get up to Bt200,000 a month. They'll also get an annual bonus equivalent to three months' salary."

He also said if universities became autonomous, their executives could do anything they pleased.

Chulalongkorn University freshman Taweeporn Khummetha yesterday said the push for autonomous institutes should be suspended pending a referendum involving all relevant parties.

"Please ask for their opinions first! What do the taxpayers think about this? What about the opinions of the students?" she said.

In response to the protest, Wijit explained that the government was only proceeding with work left pending by the previous administration.

"Why didn't you protest against this issue several years ago?" he asked.

Wijit said the bills were initially scheduled for deliberation by Parliament. However, after the September 19 coup, the NLA was installed to function in its place.

"Besides, we aren't forcing state universities to become autono-mous. They're embracing the process on a voluntary basis," he said.

He said it was now the duty of universities to foster a better understanding of the issue among their students if they hoped to become autonomous.

Wijit also said even universities that were not autonomous had full power to set their tuition fees. He said he did not believe reports that some university executives wanted to raise fees to make money from the process.

To date, only Khon Kaen University has withdrawn its bid for autonomous status following protests by its students.