The Chulalongkorn-Thammasat Traditional Football Match, an annual event that kicks off this afternoon, is famous for featuring satirical effigies of government figures a rite that this year could have grave consequences given the growing watch scandal involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Even though the regime has imposed a ban on political gatherings of more than five people since it rose to power in a bloodless coup in 2014, the football game -- allegedly inspired by the Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race in England -- appears to be an exception.
However, now tension is running high over whether students could end up being penalised for going too far with their mockery. The government claims they are free to act at will but sources interviewed by the Bangkok Post say otherwise.
As such, a cat-and-mouse game is expected between a government intent on preventing the ridiculing of Gen Prawit for showing off a collection of 25 luxury watches that were not among his declared assets, and a student body apparently bent on sticking to tradition.
One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the military has already asked students not to use any effigies featuring Gen Prawit wearing a Hawaiian shirt, ring and watch -- as shown in one of the photos that later went viral.
According to the source, who is involved at a high level in organising the parade before the match, one soldier asked to review drafts of any effigies that will be featured in today's game.
"He [the soldier] asked us to fix the dummy so it does not resemble the exact posture [of General Prawit shielding his face from the sun and showing the first luxury watch and diamond ring on Dec 4]. But he didn't prohibit us from using it," he said.
The student said today's audience can expect a "surprise" from his team during the parade, without elaborating.
The 72nd Chulalongkorn-Thammasat Traditional Football Match will be held at the National Stadium in Bangkok. It was first staged in 1934.
Thammasat holds the record for most wins, beating Chula 24 times, drawing on 31 occasions and losing 16. It also ranks as the defending champ after delivering a 5-1 drubbing in 2016. The match was cancelled last year in honour of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's cremation ceremonies.
Col Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said yesterday no ban on political effigies had been issued, only a request "seeking cooperation" and asking for the political satire to be presented in a "constructive" manner to avoid ruining people's reputation.
Col Winthai said soldiers had assisted students with the logistics of the match for years.
Latthaphol Yimlamai, a Thammasat University (TU) student who is president of the university's political satire group, said yesterday no military officers have pressured or prohibited them from using Gen Prawit's luxury watches as a theme for their parade.
He said military officers have monitored preparations for the parade at TU's Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani.
As in previous years, soldiers will inspect all effigies at 9am today before the match, the third-year political science student said.
Mr Latthaphol said the parade, which will feature six effigies, will not use any politicians' or agencies' real names, as is customary. It is expected to feature over 300 students and reflect national economic and political issues.
Since this year's parade has drawn more public attention, Mr. Latthapol said TU's effigies "would not disappoint".
National Human Rights Commission Chairman What Tingsamitr voiced his support for the event, saying it was only being held in fun.
TU vice-rector Orapan Poachanukoon denied reports that military officers had asked university executives to forbid students from using certain themes in the parade.
He said students are free to express their opinion but remain within the limits of the law.
