Krittapas Chedjaroenrat

Political Science Student Union of Chulalongkorn University (Academic Year 2021)

Activities. Projects. That's Lit Even Online!

Welcoming Singhdam 74 to
the Faculty of Political Science!

Participants
Students, New Students, Professors, Activists

Project Duration
July – August 2021

We had divided the project into three main sessions.

Firstly, the student union created groups for Singhdam 74 that used for a space that is just for Freshmen students in 2021, and more groups distinguished to departments in the Faculty – Government, International Relations, Public Administrations, Sociology and Anthropology, including Politics and Global Studies. During this time, our team was working closely with new students to inform them of news and information about the faculty and the university – facilities, studying, registration, and activities to participate in.

Secondly, our team had a week of activity online, online talks – for great inspiration and movements, discussion with professors, and free space – regarding specific topics according to one's interests. During that, we had promoted the clubs and activities information for students to join.

Lastly, our team continued with senior-partner for students to join. This aimed to help a student to have a partner to discuss or ask for studying advice or even course suggestions.

The event was all held online due to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic lockdowns. Though we aimed to put our best efforts into students to connect with politics and local communities.

Main Poster of the Event

91st Anniversary of Chit Phumisak

Participants
Students, Professors, Activists, Musicians

Project Duration
September – October 2021

The Commemoration of the 91st of the Birth of Chit Phumisak was the event that I collaborated with the Arts Student Committee, aiming to focus on Chit's dedicated works – especially art and music.

We had a panel talk and discussion during these two months of September and October, and also an online concert event from the Commoners and Singhdam Music Club.

This was an online event – both preparation and operation – regarding the serious situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangkok.

Remembering 6th Oct Massacre and 14th Oct Uprising

The Portrait of Wichitchai Amonkun, a political science student who died in 6th Oct Massacre at Sanam Luang close to Thammsat University; His portrait set in the Student Activities Building

In front of the Faculty of Economics Student Union Office, where the portrait of Somdej Wirunhapol set on the wall. Somdej died in the 14th Oct Uprising at Thammasat University.

Participants
The Political Science Student Union,
The Student Government,
The Student Council,
The Arts Student Committee,
... and other student committees/unions/councils/clubs in Chulalongkorn University

Activities Duration
6 and 14 October 2021

Remembering 6th Oct Massacre and 14th Oct Uprising was the event I proposed in the student union to hold as an internal event due to COVID-19 pandemic and the university's regulations that restricted holding events physically.

We aimed to maintain the awareness, pain, and lesson learnt from the 6 October 1976 (aka Thammasat University Massacre) and 14 October 1973 Student Uprising. We have lost students from this event such as Wichitchai Amonkun, and Somdet Wirunhapon.

Go GAT/PAT Together Season 2

Participants: University Students, High Schools Student Nationwide

Project Duration: February 2022

Facebook Group used as the main communication between the team and students

Go GAT/PAT Together Season 2 was not planned to be in charge by my team, but no one in the student union at that time would do it. Therefore, my team decided to succeed it. This event was held all online – preparation and operation – due to COVID-19 and the University's Regulations.

This Project was a space to connect university students and high school students together, and it is a chance for university students to practice their learnt skills to benefit our society. In the meantime, nationwide high school students can study and learn their skills and knowledge anywhere or watch it later on YouTube for free!

See the Playlist and watch it on YouTube here!

The courses which are now available on the Student Union's Channel on YouTube.

Bangkok Metropolitan Council Pathum Wan District Candidates Debate

The Event of Bangkok Metropolitan Council Pathum Wan District Candidates Debate on 25 April 2022

Participants
Students, BMC Candidates, Political Party Members, Journalists

Project Duration
25 April 2022

As Bangkok had a gubernatorial election on 22 May 2022, political science, indeed, must have something to do about it. Plus, Chulalongkorn University has a story of gentrification and removing locals from their land. Therefore, this project was created and proposed in the student union.

This project aimed at the candidate who is representative of a certain area in Bangkok and that was Pathum Wan District. We collaborated with some of Chula For All Party, and invited candidates for BMC Pathum Wan to join us for a talk at the Student Activities Building, Faculty of Political Science. On that day, the event started with opening remarks by Prof Pitch Pongsawat, Chair of the Department of Government, followed by the panel talk and ended with Q&A. There was also Auntie Tew for food and The Reporters for live on Facebook and YouTube.

The LIVE Broadcasting on The Reporter's Facebook Page

Finally, we have acknowledged the fact how these people are aware of people's rights to the city and the real problems in local communities – some didn't actually conscious about the deal and fighting journey in the case of the Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine dispute.

Mural Art for Peace in Ukraine

Just finished Berehynia mural art at the Student Activities Building, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

Department of Humanitarian and Human Rights Affairs of the Student Government of Chulalongkorn University has collaborated with the Political Science Student Union of Chulalongkorn University for the space which I had proposed as a project to the faculty's administration.

On the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, the Embassy of Ukraine held a campaign in support of Ukraine. Event participants read both in English and Thai the stories of Ukrainians, who were tortured by Russian soldiers, which is indisputable evidence of the war crimes committed by Russia.

Participants
Department of Humanitarian and Human Rights Affairs,
Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand,
Ukrainian Residents in Thailand,
Students

Project Duration
May 2022 until the war ends

The Event had held at the Student Activity Building, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

Krittapas Chedjaroenrat (left) and Mr Oleksandr Lysak, the Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine in Thailand (right)

On 8 May 2022, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand had addressed Ukrainians and Chulalongkorn University students for the new mural art represented Ukrainian identity and for #PeaceForUkraine inspired by artist, Tetiana Cherevan and the Ukrainian community in Bangkok, a mural with “Berehynia” image was brought to life at Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

Furthermore, I have published a significant translated Thai article about "Platform Crimea" on Wikipedia, which can be found here. This helps people to understand more about relations between Russia and Ukraine and how brutal Russia is.

Further Activities

Statement on the 32nd Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in China

The Political Science Student Union of Chulalongkorn University with my proposal as a standpoint of the student union regarding a significant event in China in 1989. See the full statement here.

Asking the University for Tuition Fee Deduction and Other Compensation to Local Community

As the Assembly of Singhdam had proceeded with a tuition fee strike in protest of the university's policy not to decrease the tuition fee even though students are ordered to stay home due to lockdowns, the Political Science Student Union as my proposal to join the Assembly. I wrote this letter for the President (at that time) to propose to the Dean, asking the Dean to discuss this with the University and the Ministry of Higher Education. See the full document here.

The Student's Club and Activity Subcommittee

The Subcommittee had formed to give recognition to student clubs in the faculty. This made student clubs legitimate to propose any projects to the faculty via the student union. Plus, the committee is planned to promote students to form and join more activities at the university even if it was all held online.

Collaboration with Organisations for Bangkok Governor Candidates Debate

This event was a collaboration between the Political Science Student Union of Chulalongkorn University, Amnesty International Thailand, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies of Chulalongkorn University, Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Issarachon Foundation, Faculty of Political Science of Thammasat University, AIS PLAY, The Reporters, Khao 3 Miti, Nisit Recorder, and ZENDAI.

The event had invited all 30 candidates for Bangkok Governor to explain and discuss certain issues asked by the moderator, firstly planned to hold at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, but later was suspended by the Pathum Wan Administration accused of COVID-19 Pandemic. After the suspension, the team decided to move and hold at Sukosol Hotel. Watch this press conference here, and watch the full-event online here.

Stand with the People of Ukraine

Since Russia has proceeded with a special military action or war against Ukraine. This aggressive action is totally unacceptable and this reminds us of millions of innocent people in the territory of Ukraine who have now fled their lovely homes. I asked the student union to show our standpoint and strong support for the people of Ukraine. This picture is the few photos I had done myself.