TU's asssitant rector Prinya Thewana-ruemitkul yesterday dismissed accusations by student activists that the university had taken down more than 100 of their anti-draft constitution posters displayed at the Tha Phrachan campus.

"It's freedom of expression and the TU administrator didn't order anyone to take down their posters. We don't have such a policy," he said.

Uchaen Chiangsaen, a post-graduate student at the university who leads a group of activists called "Dome Daeng" on Wednesday issued a statement condemning violation of freedom of expression in the university.

The group said more than 100 of its anti-draft-constitution posters had been removed from various buildings in Tha Phrachan campus.

The posters state that the draft charter was essentially anti-democratic and endorsement of  it would lead to the perpetuation of coups.

Uchaen said that about 50 posters that his group had displayed yesterday at Tha Phrachan were removed and destroyed.

The group said that they witnessed TU staff member Chulin Wannamethee removing their posters.

"He [Chulin] said we needed to ask permission from the university to display posters. He took down posters in front of us," said Uchaen.

TU lecturer Kasem Phenpinant, who witnessed the incident, said he doubted that Chulin had removed the posters on his own behalf, or that he had received an order to do so. The lecturer said the university staff normally wouldn't interfere with students' groups. He also said TU should uphold its policy to promote freedom of expression.

"When political ideas are so polarised, there should be space for different opinions," he said.

Prinya said that Chulin's action had violated the freedom of expression of others and he would investigate the complaint.

Thammasat University rector, Suraphol Nitikraphob, was appointed as a member of the National Legislative Assembly by the junta, while one of the university's deputy rectors, Somkid Lertpaitoon, was appointed by the Council for National Security as a member of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA).

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation