Yotsanan Wongsawat deploys to Nan for flood relief and addresses academic freedom

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, has redirected his mission to provide flood relief in Pua District, Nan Province. This follows urgent directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, issued while the latter was in Australia, to assist areas declared as disaster zones.

In Nan, Yotsanan is coordinating with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Royal Irrigation Department to deploy water pumps and heavy machinery to clear water obstructions. Efforts are focused on evacuating vulnerable groups and managing flash floods that have cut off local transportation routes.

Additionally, during an academic event at Prince of Songkla University in Surat Thani, Yotsanan addressed public concerns regarding academic freedom. He clarified that the Ministry of Higher Education has no intention of interfering with academic expression or political discussions at universities. He stated that the Ministry’s only interest is ensuring that the process for awarding student activity hours complies with university regulations.