Academics sound alarm ahead of poll

Group makes urgent reform demands

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

A group calling itself Academics for Society are urging voters to impose an “electoral boycott” on political parties it says are hostile to Thailand’s long-term development, warning that the country is nearing a critical breaking point ahead of the Feb 8 general election.

In a statement released yesterday, the group, led by Vicha Mahakun, Dean of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Law and a former member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, said Thailand is facing what it described as a deep “structural recession” spanning the economy, society and the justice system.