Politics
Investigation Requested into Political Seminar at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani
Authorities are reviewing whether a political science department event at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, which invited a People's Party MP, complied with university activity regulations.
According to a report by Matichon Online on August 18, 2026, Yodchanan has formally requested that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) investigate a recent event held at the Faculty of Political Science at Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Pattani campus.
The controversy centers on a seminar that featured an invited Member of Parliament from the People's Party. Reports indicate that students were encouraged to attend the session in exchange for activity hours. The core of the inquiry is to determine whether the university’s decision to host this specific political figure and offer academic credit for attendance aligns with established institutional regulations and administrative guidelines.
For residents and visitors, this situation highlights the ongoing intersection of academic freedom and political discourse within Thai universities. While such seminars are common in political science curricula, the involvement of active politicians often draws scrutiny regarding neutrality and the use of university resources.
At this stage, the matter remains under review. It is yet to be confirmed whether the event violated any specific university policies or if the Ministry will find the conduct of the faculty to be in breach of administrative standards. No official ruling has been issued by the Permanent Secretary of the MHESI, and the university has not yet released a formal statement regarding the compliance of the event.