Uthenthawai students announced an end to violence with Pathumwan Technical College, requesting the Royal Thai Police to act as mediator. They insisted this is unrelated to the Chulalongkorn land dispute, pledging to stop violence even if relocated. They revealed a four-party negotiation will take place tomorrow at the Ministry of Higher Education.
On 21 Oct 2026, reporters reported that over 300 Uthenthawai students from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai area, submitted a letter to the Royal Thai Police. They requested the police act as a central agency to coordinate ending the long-running conflict between Uthenthawai and Pathumwan Technical College students. They proposed opening dialogue sessions between the two institutions, drafting a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and promoting activities to build lasting understanding and friendship, emphasizing the idea “past conflicts should not be inherited by the new generation” to foster lasting peace and friendship between the two schools.
Mr. Wiwat Yatikham, a third-year student in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and representative of Uthenthawai students, clearly stated their position on the conflict and violence between the institutions. He announced their readiness to end violence and pledged no further violent acts. He acknowledged that the conflict affects not only the students of both schools but also causes distress to the public and uninvolved parties who should not suffer from this dispute.
Wiwat emphasized that this statement does not intend to judge who is right or wrong, nor to blame any institution. Instead, it communicates that Uthenthawai students are ready to end violence and do not want such incidents to recur. He believes the issue should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation rather than retaliatory violence because ultimately, the affected parties include not only those directly involved but also the general public living amidst worry and insecurity.
At the same time, Wiwat addressed the issue of relocating the school, a concern students seek answers on. He questioned the necessity of moving from Uthenthawai, noting the institution is well-equipped for teaching, has qualified staff, and a long history of technical education. Therefore, students want to understand why they must move elsewhere.
Wiwat stated that the relocation issue remains unclear to students, who want the relevant authorities to clearly explain the reasons. Students are directly affected by potential changes impacting their studies, daily life, and educational opportunities. He affirmed that their stance on ending violence is not a bargaining tactic regarding relocation, as they believe these two issues should be considered separately.
Regarding coordination with relevant agencies, Wiwat said initial contact has been made to facilitate discussions. They are ready to bring issues into negotiation, seeing open dialogue as a positive step that could help resolve longstanding problems. Some details still require further discussion and clarity from stakeholders, especially regarding solutions and support for affected students. Tomorrow at 15:00, a four-party negotiation will be held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to reach a resolution.
When asked about future expectations, Wiwat said he hopes the situation improves and that the public will no longer suffer from violent incidents. He wishes all students to access education appropriately without facing repeated conflict consequences. He believes problem-solving should prioritize students' futures, rather than forcing those who want to study to bear the burden of conflicts they did not cause.
Regarding confidence in the police's role in preventing and resolving violence, Wiwat clarified that their statement today is not to pressure or demand the police but to clearly announce their readiness to end violence. He hopes all parties will engage in serious dialogue to prevent recurrence. He sees negotiation and cooperation as the best paths toward a better future.
Wiwat also said both Uthenthawai and the opposing institution have historical and educational significance in technical fields. Reducing conflict and collaborating on educational development would benefit the country more than confrontation. He reaffirmed hope for problem resolution and a safe learning environment, where the public feels secure and all parties coexist peacefully without violence.
When asked if they would stop fighting regardless of staying or moving, Wiwat replied, “Yes.”
Reporters described the atmosphere during the statement, noting students held signs expressing their commitment to ending violence, such as “Let actions prove promises,” “Uthenthawai asks for a chance to do good for society,” “The skill of a technician lies in ability, not force,” “Preserve roots, respect dignity,” and “Stop fighting from today.” These messages communicated their desire to change the perception of technical students and their readiness to end the conflict.
