Minister Clarifies Stance on Academic Freedom at Prince of Songkla University

On August 18, 2026, Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), issued a public statement regarding a recent seminar held at Prince of Songkla University’s Pattani campus. The statement followed public criticism and speculation concerning potential government interference in university activities.

Minister Yodchanan clarified that the Ministry has no policy to restrict the expression of ideas by students or faculty, asserting that universities must remain open spaces for learning and exchange. He emphasized that academic freedom is a fundamental principle that cannot be limited. Regarding the Ministry's involvement, the Minister explained that their inquiry was strictly limited to verifying whether the event’s activity-hour counting process complied with university regulations. He explicitly denied any intent to intervene in the content of the discussions.

For residents and visitors, this clarification serves to reaffirm the government's stated commitment to maintaining universities as safe spaces for intellectual discourse. The Minister assured that as long as activities adhere to institutional guidelines, they may proceed as normal. While the Minister has provided this official stance, the practical application of these administrative checks in future campus events remains a point of observation for those monitoring academic autonomy in Thailand.