Students across the nation have said they want the original schedule for the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Professional and Academic Aptitude Test (PAT) reinstated if the Feb 24 election date is to be deferred as reported this week.
Their call comes after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Thursday the poll would likely be delayed to avoid a potential clash with His Majesty the King's coronation ceremony, set for May 4-6.
On Nov 1 the Education Ministry and Council of University Presidents of Thailand met and decided to change the dates of the two tests from Feb 23 and 26 to Feb 16 and 19 so students could vote without having to worry about their exams.
About 450,000 students are due to take the GAT and PAT this year.
Social media, particularly Twitter, has been awash with #wantbackexamdates. A campaign on www.change.org calling for the original date has garnered more than 5,000 supporters.
Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said the public must wait for the Election Commission to announce an official poll date. However, he told ministry officials to keep the EC updated.
Dr Teerakiat said students preferred the original schedule as it gives them more time to prepare.
Test-sitters must be studying in Mathayom 6 or higher. Most are already 18 and are therefore eligible to cast votes.
However, many young voters were expected to skip the ballot due to the exams.
