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.
Parinya Thewanarumitkul, deputy dean of Thammasat University, said the new generation should take this occasion to pursue the intentions of the Oct 14 heroes to bring about true democracy to the people.
Years of protests by students demanding democracy culminated in clashes with police on Oct 14, 1973 around Democracy Monument. Unable to control the large crowd attempting leave via Ratchawithi Road, police opened fire on them with tear gas and gunfire.
The military was called in and took over Ratchadamnoen Avenue, while helicopters fired at Thammasat University.
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.