Oct 14, 1973 uprising remembered

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Oct 14, 1973 uprising remembered

Published: 14 Oct 2012 at 14.08
Online news: Politics

Representatives of the government, opposition and relatives of the dead turned up at the October 14 Memorial at Khok Wua intersection Sunday morning to attend a ceremony to mark the 39th anniversary of the student uprising on Oct 14, 1973.

A ceremony involving three religions - Buddhism, Christianity and Islam - began at 7am.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul represented the prime minister at the ceremony. Other well-known figures attending the ceremony included Surachai Liangboonlertchai, first deputy Senate speaker, and Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, Ong-art Klampaiboon and Chamni Sakdiset of the Democrat Party.

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ringmaster
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Discussion 8 : 15 Oct 2012 at 22.168
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"Student uprising" or "massacre of students" - The spin doctors are still at it after all these years.

And one more thing: "The military was called in and took over Ratchadamnoen Avenue, while helicopters fired at Thammasat University."? How about "The military was called in to kill unarmed protesters, while helicopters fired at unarmed protesters."?

Oct 14, 1973 was just a start of a pattern of massacres of innocent pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok with subsequent impunity for those responsible and whitewashing of the tragedies.
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heartie
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Discussion 7 : 14 Oct 2012 at 22.267
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Those purporting democracy in Thailand today should stand united with those purporting democracy in other countries such as Vietnam, China, Burma and Cambodia, but do they? No, they do NOT! They are insular, are they not? Were they different in 1973? If not, they have no business telling the younger generation what to do with regards to democracy!
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jacksprat
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Discussion 6 : 14 Oct 2012 at 22.146
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"Years of protests by students demanding democracy culminated in clashes . . . " What actually happened was the government of FM Thanom dissolved Parliament in 1971 and ruled by decree. Students of virtually all level began protests demanding a return to constitutional government. In October 1973 everything came to a head. The violence was unexpected and its sudden end even more so. The students at my university had barricaded the entrances to the campus, fearing the fighting might spread. Most memorable was the late HRH Princess Mother opening Chitlada Palace to the protestors to take shelter from the violence. That endeared her even more to the people.
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SouthPhil
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Discussion 5 : 14 Oct 2012 at 21.305
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This summary "The military was called in and took over Ratchadamnoen Avenue, while helicopters fired at Thammasat University" is a disgrace.
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Lazarisbk
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Discussion 4 : 14 Oct 2012 at 20.204
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So whats the point? The only way to force democracy here is to become an armed insurgency with a cause.
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franklin
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Discussion 3 : 14 Oct 2012 at 16.593
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"Years of protests by students demanding democracy culminated in clashes . . . " And look at the progress towards a true democracy that has taken place since then. It's not even taught in the Thai school system nor is it any closer to existence. Truly saddening and disheartening to put it mildly.
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upena
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Discussion 2 : 14 Oct 2012 at 15.082
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"Then prime minister Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn was forced from power, but not before at least 77 people were killed and more than 800 wounded."

Numbers of dead had to be higher than 77. Picture 10's of thousands of people being fired upon by helicopters with m-60 machine guns.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 1 : 14 Oct 2012 at 14.521
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I remember it well and can't believe it is 39 years now.
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Oct 14, 1973 uprising remembered | Bangkok Post: news