Former students and activists say they remain determined to win justice for victims of the Oct 6, 1976, student massacre despite the current stark political climate and fewer people attending the annual commemoration ceremony yesterday.
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the massacre in which more than 40 people were killed at a protest at Thammasat University in Bangkok.
Around 150 people gathered Tuesday for a religious ceremony near the university's main gate where a monument depicting the political violence is located.
Other political activities were held throughout the day, including one by the New Democracy Movement which gathered at parliament to submit a protest letter against the new charter drafters appointed by National Council for Peace and Order leader Prayut Chan-o-cha. A forum on the subject was also held at Thammasat University's Rangsit campus.
The morning ritual at the Tha Prachan campus was a solemn affair and was not attended by any figures from any of the main political parties.
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After alms were given to monks, there were short speeches by relatives of the dead and survivors.
In an emotional speech, Thongchai Winichakul, an academic and student leader at the time of the massacre, said the events on Oct 6, 1976, should be widely discussed in society.
"Some of the powers-that-be are too narrow-minded and do not want anyone talking about this bitter chapter in history.
"What kind of society do we have in Thailand that allows people to get away with their wrongdoings," said Mr Thongchai, who was jailed for nearly two years following the student massacre.
It was his first appearance in decades at a commemoration to mark what is sometimes called the "Thammasat University massacre" in which at least 46 people were killed, with some being raped, hung, or burned to death.
A brother of victim Jarupong Thongsint, who asked not to be named, said Thongsint's family would continue to support the survivors and those who stay on the democratic path.
"The spirit of Oct 6 is to fight any tyranny, against the privilege system, and preserve democracy," said Sopon Pornchokchai, who represented the Dome Ruamjai activist group.
Mr Thongchai later led dozens of people on a sombre walk from the university to a nearby tamarind tree on Sanam Luang in front of Wat Mahachat to wrap a black cloth and lay flowers to remember Chulalongkorn University student, Wichitchai Amornkul, who was beaten to death there.
Photos of Wichitchai being dragged and then hanged from the tree with people taking turns beating him with a chair has become a tragic symbol of Thailand's recent dark history.
The mother of Ramkhamhaeng University student, Manu Vithayaporn, who was also killed in the Oct 6 clash, said she was saddened by what she called an increasingly repressive atmosphere in Thai society.
"I prepare a speech every year, but this time they [the authorities] didn't let me speak," said the 86-year old woman, who called herself Pa Lek (Auntie Lek).
"It's my son who was killed, how can I rest in peace when truth is not yet out," she said.
The history of Oct 6, 1976, is labelled as student terrorism. No one talks about the killers and the casualties, she said.