Despite the threat posed by gang rivalries with other schools, first-year students can still enrol at the Uthenthawai campus of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok (RMUTTO), the minister for higher education said on Tuesday.

However, they must study at other campuses until the violent rivalry with Pathumwan Institute of Technology (PIT) has been resolved, Supamas Isarabhakdi said.

The minister said efforts were being made to end the years-long dispute between the two Bangkok-based institutes of higher learning that has caused multiple deaths and even more injuries over many years.

Most recently, two PIT students were attacked last Friday in front of their campus. One of them died from  his stab injuries. In November, a first-year student from Uthenthawai campus was shot and died in Klong Toey district. 

''Regarding student admissions to the Uthenthawai campus, it can still admit first-year students but they need to study at other campuses of RMUTTO, such as in Chanthaburi, Bang Phra in Chon Buri or Chakrabongse Bhuvanarth in Bangkok," Ms Supamas said.

The education minister had earlier told Uthenthawai campus not to admit any new students for the 2024 academic year.

There is a long-term plan to move the campus away from Pathumwan district to Samut Prakan, to lessen opportunities for friction between the warring gangs, but it is stalled.