“Ajarn Chen” sat down with Uthenthawai students to hear their proposal to continue using the original campus, emphasizing that education, safety, and students’ futures are paramount. He affirmed that relocating is aimed at enhancing educational quality and ensuring long-term stability.
On 23 September 2026, Mr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), along with Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI, and Dr. Sriyada Parimaphan, Ministerial Advisor, met with student representatives from Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok (RMUTT) Uthenthawai Campus to discuss the management of educational spaces and the relocation plan at the MHESI Office of the Permanent Secretary (Yothi). This followed over 100 students gathering and studying online at MHESI for the third consecutive day.
Mr. Yotsanan stated that education is MHESI’s top priority. The ministry is fully committed to supporting educational resources so that all students can study in appropriate, quality, and safe environments. The consideration to change the educational site aims to elevate education quality and establish long-term stability, ensuring Uthenthawai remains a respected and quality institution. Currently, MHESI has identified several suitable and accessible alternative locations.
Student representatives reaffirmed their intention to continue using the original educational site. They believe the main issue prompting the relocation is ongoing conflicts and violence. They consider relocation a superficial solution that does not guarantee such incidents will not recur. The students stressed that current students, unrelated to the violent events, are most affected. They proposed improving the physical environment and security measures at the current location, as well as strict law enforcement.
In response to these concerns, Mr. Yotsanan said MHESI understands students’ attachment to their original campus and welcomes their proposals. However, the violence has impacted society and caused continuous losses over recent years. The ministry has collaborated with police and implemented various measures at the original site, including CCTV installation, enhanced security protocols, and staggered class schedules, but these have not resolved the issues sustainably.
"The consideration of a new site is not merely about relocation but about creating an environment conducive to learning, where students can study and live safely, minimizing risks of violence and maximizing their potential," Mr. Yotsanan said. He emphasized that MHESI is open to ongoing discussions with student representatives to gather input and jointly consider suitable locations and approaches, prioritizing students’ benefits and futures.
Over the past two days, after RMUTT Uthenthawai students used the MHESI Office of the Permanent Secretary (Yothi) as an online learning space, the office has facilitated by opening various meeting rooms as temporary classrooms. However, due to space limitations and unsuitability for prolonged teaching, MHESI has arranged a larger, more appropriate venue at the “Professor Prasert Na Nakorn” meeting room on the 3rd floor of Higher Education Building 1, MHESI (Sri Ayutthaya Road), equipped with internet and necessary equipment. Despite this, students continue to insist on using their original site.
However, from 23 to 25 September 2026, activities are scheduled at the Phra Chomklao Building and the National Science and Technology Development Agency under MHESI. Therefore, MHESI requests students intending to come to the ministry to use the prepared space at the “Professor Prasert Na Nakorn” meeting room, which is spacious and well-equipped, better suited for continuous online learning to ensure uninterrupted education.