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52 การประชุมวิชาการ
สถาบันพระปกเกล้า ครั้งที่ 16

Forum has a judgement on Thai higher education. It is abnormally low. – “แปลว่า
คุณภาพต่ำอย่างน่าใจหาย” When the education system does not teach people to think,

think critically, to analyze and to reason for yourself, and to make judgement for
yourself, to solve problems for yourself, it is very easy for us to fall victims to power,
to wealth, to influence. And that is our problem. Because we are not critically thinking

as democratic citizens should be thinking, as responsible citizens should be thinking,
as people in the open society should be doing. And that is, I decide on my own,

based on my own judgement with information that I have, I am not going to sacrifice
my rights, my liberty, my vote for any other reason except for the fact that I think
this is the best individual, the best party, the best policy for Thailand. And I will

remain active in the system. I will stand alert. Thomas Jefferson said “the price of
freedom is eternal vigilance.” - “สิ่งที่ท่านต้องจ่ายเพื่อที่จะรักษาเสรีภาพของท่านเอาไว้ให้ได้นั้น

คือการตื่นอยู่ตลอดเวลา ที่จะเผชิญ ที่จะต่อสู้ ที่จะลุกขึ้นมาท้วงติง ทักถาม และทวงถาม”
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We have to be vigilant from now on. - “เรา
ต้องตื่นตั้งแต่บัดนี้เป็นต้นไป” We have to be aware that our country is in a critical

situation, for each and individual of us can make a contribution and can make a
difference. And I’m glad that this congress has invited a lot of our colleagues from

the provinces, from the peripheries, from the regions, because there are more of us
living out there than here and more of us who are going to have the influence on the
direction of this country than us here in the capital. And I’m glad it was my advice

from the beginning that we certainly have a lot of goodwill, a lot of compassion from
among friends, from aboard who wish and want Thailand to succeed, to find our own

new balance. They have gone through the same struggles, problems and challenges.
So, I’m glad that our foreign friends are here, both academics and diplomatic corps
because I know for sure that they have very good intention. I know for sure they

wish us well. I know for sure they have experiences that they can share with us. I know
for sure that they have a lot of goodwill and experiences. Where they have gone

wrong, we don’t have to repeat. Where they have succeeded, we can look at their
best practices. So, thank you very much for being here and I hope you will see for
yourself that this country is free and open. We are doing our psychoanalysis in the

open. We want you to see what we are going through, and if there is any way, any
room that you can help, you can make a contribution. It will be welcome. Thank you

very much and good luck.