Debate may be raging on social networking sites about Thammasat University's decision to bar the Nitirat group from using its grounds to campaign for an amendment to the lese majeste law.
But at the Tha Prachan campus itself, where the ban has taken effect, few students are willing to be drawn about the controversy _ despite its implication for the university's reputation as a bastion of free speech.
Many university staff and students approached by the Bangkok Post refused to give their opinions about the executive committee's decision.
This reporter could find no evidence that the executive had posted formal orders against Nitirat activity at the campus or at the faculty of law where most of the group's seven members teach.
The university's order banning Nitirat activities on its campus has sparked controversy about its role regarding freedom of speech.
Its governing committee said it took the step to prevent the group's campaign possibly escalating into a violent conflict.
Yet the ban is particularly contentious because the university has always been regarded as a champion of human rights and democratic freedom.
A security guard of the law faculty said he was not aware of details about the ban.
He questioned, however, why the university had not banned other political activities such as concerts organised by the yellow and red-shirt groups before.
"I don't want to get involved in politics as it causes people to become confused," the guard said. "I feel sympathy for the King who must be fed up with politics."
A second-year political science student said he agreed with his rector not to allow the Nitirat group to use the campus for its campaign. The group always uses Thammasat University's logo as a backdrop to its activities, he said.
"Although Thammasat University is a free area, the Nitirat group should not express its opinions as if they were doing it on behalf of Thammasat people," the student said.
He said the group should be allowed to hold a forum on the subject and engage others in debate to give the public more information.
He said some of his friends disagreed with the rector's ban as they see it as an infringement on personal rights and freedom of expression. But he acknowledged the executive's concern that the campaign could escalate into violence if the university does nothing to preempt it.
Thammasat University Student Organisation yesterday called on the university's executive committee to revise the ban, which they said would affect freedom of expression.