Pravit Rojanaphruk talks to Kotchawan Chaiyabutr, the SFT secretary-general and a new face in the newly created People’s Alliance for Democracy, whose goal is to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Before she entered the limelight by addressing anti-Thaksin protesters at Saturday’s rally, Kotchawan was a little-known fourth-year law student at Chulalongkorn University.

Before it resurfaced earlier this month, critics were saying there was no longer a student movement to talk of. How true was that?

Actually the commitment to activism has been there all along. We met three weeks before the February 4 [anti-Thaksin] rally and the situation wasn’t quite clear. Sondhi [Limthongkul]’s stance [at that time] was also not clear. Historical lessons have taught us to be cautious. Not that we were worried about ourselves, but we were worried about society.

But how politically inclined are students nowadays?

They’re quite informed and there are several independent groups that are now politically mobilised. About 2,000 to 3,000 students around the country can be described as politically active, though they may not necessarily make themselves visible. At times they join gatherings that are not solely for students, but we intend to create more space for student activism.

Why are you personally involved in political activism?

It has been imbued in me by my family who were students during the October 1973 [uprising]. They taught me about justice, egalitarianism, liberty – and how to distinguish right from wrong.

Why do you think Thaksin should no longer be prime minister?

I think Thaksin no longer has the legitimacy to administer the country because of the huge conflicts of interests. He has used his power to benefit himself and his cronies.

How will students convince the public, as well as their peers, that Thaksin must go?

We won’t bombard them with propaganda, but we will provide them with information, which will allow students and the public to analyse the situation

for themselves.

Are your parents aware of your anti-Thaksin activities? Aren’t they worried?

They are aware and [worried]. But they think that this is something people must do to help one another. They’re not worrying for my safety or fearing that their child will die to the point of prohibiting me from doing what I’m doing. If we act with good intentions towards society, society will not hurt us.

Has there been any pressure from university administrators for students not to oppose Thaksin?

There’s no clear evidence, but the pressure – be it on private or public university students – exists. There have been no written orders [not to move against Thaksin].

Thirty-one member organisations [of SFT] are coordinating their efforts all the time and [anti-Thaksin] activism will be wide ranging. We’re also reaching out to new independent [student] groups.

How much can society rely on university students to play a key role in ousting Thaksin?

I think student power will be crucial in successfully ousting the tyrant. This is because students can never be accused of being politically motivated [unlike opposition parties]. We shall fight for social justice.