Schools have been told to allow students to express their political views on campuses.

It is seen as an attempt to defuse growing frustration and demands for political change.

The decision, announced by Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan, follows media reports about students from various schools flashing the three-finger salute and using white ribbons as a symbol against dictatorship.

Initial responses from school administrators to their actions had been mixed, with some teachers reportedly rebuking students and warning them against taking their protests onto school premises.

Students from several schools in and outside of Bangkok give the three-fingered salute in a symbolic protest against the government. Some also tied white ribbons to their bags to show their opposition. The Education Ministry has allowed the students to express their political views on school premises. (Photos by Samut KongwaraKom, Arnun Chonmahatrakool and the Internal Security Operations Command)

Mr Nataphol said on Tuesday that a child's rights to freedom of speech should not stop at school gates and that the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) would therefore send a letter to its schools to ensure they fully understand what these freedoms are.



Mr Nataphol said school administrators and teachers would be encouraged to create space for students to voice their opposition and opinions on various issues. It is hoped the planned dialogue will ease their frustration and anger.


Amnat Wichayanuwat, Obec's secretary-general, said on Tuesday students had the right to express dissent as long as their activities were lawful and did not lead to divisions or violence.

Students, meanwhile, on Tuesday proceeded with the three-fingered salute signifying their resistance to the government, before dispersing and attending classes.

At Samsen Witthayalai School in Bangkok, about 50 students joined a protest -- each held a blank sheet of white paper in one hand and made a three-fingered gesture with the other.

They shouted "Down with Dictatorship" three times before tearing up the pieces of paper.

A student representative said the school administrators had not forbidden the activity, nor intimidated students. Nor would any students be shunned or mistreated if they did not join the protest. "We don't bully our friends who have differing views. It's their rights too," said the student.

In Lampang, several large schools cancelled morning assemblies and had their pupils wait outside classrooms instead to avoid one single large gathering.

At one school in Soem Ngam district, students were asked to not make the protest gesture during the playing of the national anthem. Other than that, their ability to express dissent was not prohibited.