Bangkok: "Yotchanan" moves forward to resolve the "Uthenthawai-Pathumwan" dispute, ordering a ban on access to the area for at least 3 months. Prime Minister Yotsanan has implemented four decisive measures to address the ongoing dispute between Uten Thawai and Pathumwan universities. These measures include prohibiting access to the area for at least three months and accelerating plans for relocation and new learning spaces. Chulalongkorn University plans to transform the existing area into a center for innovation and education, ensuring the quality of education is maintained.
According to Thai News Agency, on September 9, 2026, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) chaired by Prof. Dr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MHESI. The meeting aimed to follow up and expedite the resolution of the dispute between Rajamangala University of Technology Eastern, Uthenthawai Campus, and Pathumwan Institute of Technology. Key figures included Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI, and executives from both institutions, as well as Prof. Dr. Vilelert Phuriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University. The 45-minute meeting focused on enforcing the implementation of agreed plans while considering legal, security, and safety issues due to the significance of Pathumwan and Siam Square as tourist landmarks.
Four measures were established to resolve the conflict: suspending classes in the disputed area for at least three months, expediting the allocation of a new area for Uten Thawai, preparing a transition plan for Pathumwan Institute of Technology, and developing the existing area into an educational and innovation hub. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation will issue an official order for both institutions to comply with these measures. Alternative teaching methods will be designed to ensure the education quality of approximately 1,000 students per institution is not compromised.
The Ministry has directed the administration to expedite the preparation of a new area outside the disputed zone within three months. Pathumwan Institute of Technology is tasked with developing a transition plan and long-term strategies in collaboration with industry partners. Chulalongkorn University will work with MHESI to establish a development committee to transform the existing area into an innovation and education hub, ensuring that it benefits all Thai people.
Professor Dr. Yoschanan emphasized the Ministry's commitment to supporting both institutions by providing tools and resources to improve educational quality. The Ministry aims to ensure that safety, dispute resolution, and educational development are prioritized, ultimately benefiting Thai education and the community.
For security during this transition period, the Metropolitan Police Command (MPD) will intensify security measures. The police, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom and other senior officers, have coordinated closely with faculty and students from both institutions to monitor the situation effectively.