Page 93 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Article 18

“A temple or a religious organization should have the
right to participate in providing education services”

Voice

Rev. Brother Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas, a 75-year-old Catholic priest, has a diverse
religious background as he was born to a Catholic father and Buddhist mother. He too Rev. Brother Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas,
age 75
claims that he has not experienced any act of violation of the right to free religion in Catholic priest and President Emeritus,
Assumption University
Thailand.

According to the 1909 act stating the characteristic and state of Catholic churches in
Thailand, the church was allowed to establish or transfer a school in accordance with the
Private Sector Act. After 1982, the act decreed that Catholic missionaries cannot establish
a school. Later on, the National Education Act (1999) stipulated the right to organize
education by all sectors of Thai society, including religious organizations. Still,
government officials do not allow Catholic missions to establish
new schools.

As a member of the education reform committee, the priest emphasizes that all sectors in
society have a role to play in providing education. “This means a temple or a religious
organization should have the right to participate in providing education services. Still,
the Christian School cannot be established due to the Decree’s definition.” Apart from this
issue, he believes that “Christianity is at peace in Thai society.”

The priest says that on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, he wishes to see human rights issues promoted and included in school
curriculum. He also emphasizes that “Article 26 of the Universal Declaration states that
parents have a right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children,
reflecting freedom with regards to the choice of school. The government should also
support religious organizations, including private religious schools, in their role as
providers of education.”

Our Voices are Heard in Thailand 81