Deputy PM Defends University Debate, Affirms Academic Freedom
Deputy PM Yossakon Wongsuwan defended academic freedom at Prince of Songkla University's Pattani campus, stating the government has no policy restricting student or faculty expression and that the Higher Education Ministry only verifies pro
Following criticism over a seminar at Prince of Songkla University's Pattani campus, Deputy Prime Minister Yossakon Wongsuwan posted a statement via personal social media on August 18 to clarify the government's official position. He stressed that intellectual freedom is unrestricted and that universities remain open spaces for learning and exchange, with no policy to curb students' or faculty members' expressions. Wongsuwan emphasized that the Ministry of Higher Education's only concern was verifying whether the activity's credit-hour procedures complied with university regulations, not interfering with the seminar's content. He assured that if the university followed proper institutional guidelines, activities could proceed normally, and he pledged that the ministry stands ready as a safe space to support all learning and human development.
