Minister demands tighter security after student clash at MBK Centre
The minister for higher education urged for enhanced security measures, particularly in shopping malls, following a confrontation at MBK Centre in central Bangkok at the weekend.
Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, yesterday, March 24, announced her intention to request the Royal Thai Police Office to bolster security in high-risk locations. She also emphasised monitoring students with a history of rivalry to avert further conflicts.
“The incident (on Saturday, March 22) is unacceptable. It exhibited aggression and inconvenienced the public. It is essential to implement measures to prevent such incidents and hold wrongdoers accountable, not only from the two involved institutions but across all higher education institutions.
“Educational institutions should be centres of learning, not violence. I am committed to resolving this issue seriously and sustainably.”
The incident involved a clash between students from Rajamangala University of Technology’s Uthenthawai Campus and the Pathumwan Institute of Technology. Both campuses are situated near the Pathum Wan intersection, with MBK Shopping Centre located centrally at this intersection.
Students from these institutions have previously clashed in local areas, including MBK Centre, disrupting passers-by in this busy downtown area of Bangkok.
The altercation at MBK Centre occurred at the sixth-floor food court at 7.15pm on March 22, causing alarm among other visitors. Five students sustained injuries.
According to Pathum Wan police, two students suffered severe stab wounds and were admitted to the intensive care unit at Police General Hospital.
Four students from both institutions were taken into custody. They informed police that the meeting with their adversaries at the food court was coincidental. Police believe that at least 10 students from each institution were involved in the confrontation.
Police sources suggested that students from each institution may have initially arrived in small groups, eventually congregating inside the shopping centre. As a preventive measure, police will request MBK Centre security staff to meticulously search visitors for weapons, reported Bangkok Post.
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