Thai netizens took to social media on Monday to support a school accused of distorting Thai history by the government of former dictator Prayut Chan-ocha.
Using the hashtag #สาธิตธรรมศาสตร์ (Thammasat Secondary School) Thais showed their support for Thammasat Secondary School, a charter school under the supervision of Thammasat University.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha told reporters at Government House on Friday that he has started an investigation into the curriculum of the school after accusing it of distorting the accepted version of Thai history specifically revolving around the much venerated monarchy.
Netizens say it is another attempt by the current government to rewrite history to fit its agenda.
“People who criticize the curriculum are the ones who don’t want the young generation to develop and keep up with the world,” one netizen wrote on his account.
Another citizen also wrote, “The school doesn’t distort anything. It’s only the Ministry of Education and the Thai curriculum which have distorted people’ thoughts…It’s no different from a brainwashing camp.”
The school released a statement on Sunday in response to the government’s criticism that it’s respecting the diversity of ideas and perceptions, and its focus is to prepare the students to be both Thai and global citizens.
Anuchart Puangsamlee, President of Thammasat Secondary School, spoke during his interview with press on Sunday that education must be fueled by a diversity of ideas.
