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 claims that he has not experienced any act of violation of the right to free religion in Thailand. Rev. Brother Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas, age 75 Catholic priest and President Emeritus, Assumption University 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