Education Minister Orders School Relocation to End Bangkok Gang Violence
Thailand's education minister ordered the relocation of a school and suspended classes at both campuses to end years of gang violence between rival institutions near Bangkok's Siam station.
Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister Chen Yoschchanan Wongswadi, despite his scholarly and approachable demeanor, took decisive action against the long-running conflict between two educational institutions in a manner no previous minister has dared attempt.
He issued strict measures to halt the gang violence between Uthen Thawai and Pathumwan Institute, which have been in dispute for years, with signs now pointing toward a resolution.
The initial measures require suspending classes at the original campuses for at least three months starting September 9. Students from both institutions are not required to travel to campus, meaning they will not encounter each other or engage in confrontations.
Additionally, Uthen Thawai must relocate from its current location as mandated by a court order from four years ago. Pathumwan Institute must restructure its educational approach as an institution building the future and move away from its current conditions.
The dispute has recently escalated significantly in central Pathumwan, specifically near BTS Siam station, a major transportation hub and gathering place for students and tourists, requiring the minister to take definitive action to ensure safety in economic, tourism, and educational areas affecting young people.
Deputy Prime Minister Chen Yoschchanan, in his capacity as Higher Education Minister, convened a meeting with leaders of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok's Uthen Thawai campus and Pathumwan Institute of Technology, along with Police Chief General Siam Boonsommai, Deputy Police Chief General Chorin Gopatnathan, and relevant agencies.
First, the court order must be implemented. In 2022, the administrative court ruled that Uthen Thawai must relocate from land owned by Chulalongkorn University. Multiple potential relocation sites were identified, but Uthen Thawai raised various objections, causing delay until the current minister took office.
Seeing the conflict escalate severely, the minister made a decisive decision, leading to firm action during the joint meeting.
Minister Chen stated at the meeting that the situation has damaged the country's image and public confidence, affecting economic zones, tourism areas for Thai and foreign visitors, and educational areas filled with youth. These areas must have safety and peace.
One can imagine armed gangs clashing in commercial and train station areas, forcing people to scatter in fear of stray weapons.
Following the minister's firm resolution and concrete measures from the meeting, residents of Bangkok felt relieved.
Additionally, Chulalongkorn University leadership, as the landowner, agreed that once Uthen Thawai relocates, the land will not be used for commercial purposes—an important point that opposition groups had questioned, suspecting Chulalongkorn wanted to develop a shopping center for profit.
The agreement specifies that Chulalongkorn University will develop the area as an innovation and creative industry zone for public benefit, with a joint committee overseeing development.
One can envision a science park and learning center where families and young people visit to acquire knowledge in the heart of the capital.
Overall, the meeting led by Minister Chen resolved the conflict between the two institutions genuinely and decisively, with immediate visible results.
This demonstrates the decisive and firm approach of Minister Chen in an unexpectedly strong manner.
