Srinakarinwirot Pathumwan Demonstration School in Bangkok will introduce a morality test for every student who applies to study at Matthayom 1 level (grade 7) at the school. 

 

Orapin Kanuengsukkasem, the School Director, said student applicants must take sessions that will lecture them about “Thai ethics and morality” and “qualities of good people.” They would be trained in how to wai, or give the traditional Thai greeting, and how to walk and pass things in front of the elders. 

 

If they cannot pass the test, the Director said, they will have to retake the test until they pass before they will be allowed to apply for the entrance examination. 

 

She said Thai society is having a moral crisis especially among political leaders, and the school therefore wants to emphasise the importance of morality, rather than materialism and online fads. 

 

 

 

 

Due to the influx of Chinese tourists into Thailand, especially in the north, Chiang Mai University plans to implement an entrance fee of 50 baht, which comes with a tour guide and internal electric train service for the tourists. 

 

The measure came after unusual behaviour by Chinese tourists was reported on the university campus, such as eating food when they attend academic seminars uninvited, or camping out on campus. 

 

The university representative for international affairs said since a survey found that around 60% of Chinese tourists to Thailand are abroad the first time, they may not understand local culture or know the proper way to behave. However, the measure would apply to tourists of all nationalities. 

 

The university said it would use the income to maintain the campus landscape, as well as for other facilities for students. 

 

 

 

 

Anti-government protesters in Nakhon Sawan Province in central Thailand put up a banner saying that they object to any attempts to divide the country. The move was in response to a red banner hung last week at a bridge in northern Phitsanulok, stating “This country has no justice; we want a separate Lanna country.”

 

 

On Friday, Lt. Gen Preecha Chan-ocha, 3rd Army Area Commander, held a consultation meeting with 17 provincial governors in northern Thailand to confer on ways to resolve the unrest. 2nd Army Area Commander Lt. Gen Charnchai Poothong also held similar meetings with provincial governors in the northeastern region. 

 

 

 

 

The Prime Minister urged the Navy commander to take responsibility and clarify how Navy SEALs were involved as security guards in the PDRC protest. 

 

Two officers from the Navy’s Special Warfare Group were arrested on Wednesday in Thonburi, Bangkok, and found with 9mm. guns and bullets, knives, No Vote campaign stickers and PDRC guard ID cards. 

 

They later admitted that they were hired to protect the security of protest leaders in Lumpini Park. The Police Deputy Commissioner who interrogated the suspects said a number of army officers were actually hired to guard the PDRC protests due to increasing violence in recent weeks.