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The
ceremonies, at which the monarch personally hands out degrees,
are a rite of passage for graduates and their families with
photographs of the moment displayed with pride in many Thai
homes.
But protests since mid-July have brought open criticism of the
monarchy and calls to curb its power, defying a longstanding
taboo and lese majeste laws that set a jail term of up to 15
years for criticism of the king or his family.
Suppanat Kingkaew, 23, said he was boycotting the ceremonies
being held on Friday and Saturday at Thammasat University, long
viewed as a hotbed of radicalism and scene of a massacre of
pro-democracy protesters by royalist state forces in 1976.
"Whatever it takes so that the hall is left with the smallest
number of people," Suppanat told Reuters. "This is to send an
indirect message that some of us are unhappy with the monarchy
and we want change."
The university did not respond to a request for comment.
The Palace did not comment, as it has not done since protests
began in mid-July.
Protests initially called for a new constitution and the
resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta
leader, but then demands evolved to include reducing the
monarchy's power.
It was unclear how many Thammasat students would follow the
boycott.
Papangkorn Asavapanichakul, 24, said he would attend.
"I want the photograph. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event," he
said.
Degree ceremonies presided over by the king began before the end
of absolute monarchy in 1932 at a time the palace sought to
strengthen its relationship with a growing middle class.
They gained greater importance under the king's late father,
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who spent decades working to strengthen
the prestige of the monarchy - which according to the
constitution must be revered.
Protesters say the king's powers should be reduced and changes
that gave him personal control of some army units and the palace
fortune should be reversed. They also want the prime minister
removed, accusing him of foul play in 2019 elections - an
accusation he denies.
Of those students planning to attend the ceremonies, some said
family pressure had outweighed politics.
"My mother asked me to come," said one 24-year-old student who
gave his name only as Japan. "I didn't really want to join it,
honestly."
(Additional reporting by Chayut Setboonsaarng and Jit Phokaew;
Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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