The daughter of the man who led the Khanarassadorn has called on the coup-makers to provide justice and love for the people, and restore peace.
Political activists lay flowers at the commemorative plate of the 1932 revolution at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok yesterday to mark 82 years since Thailand changed from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. Pattarachai Preechapanich
The Khanarassadorn was the movement that staged the revolution that changed Thailand from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy 82 years ago.
Talking yesterday at a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the revolution, Puangkeo Satraprung offered advice to the leaders of the National Council for Peace and Order when asked to comment on the May 22 military coup.
"Be kind to the people as if they were your own children. Give them justice and love," said the daughter of Phrayapahol Pholpayuhasena, leader of the Khanarassadorn.
Ms Puangkeo criticised the United States and the European Union for condemning the coup. She said the EU's decision to curtail diplomatic ties with Thailand would hurt the kingdom's economy and its people.
Ms Puangkeo was among hundreds of Khanarassadorn relatives who gathered at Wat Phra Sri Rattanamahathat in Bang Khen yesterday to perform religious rites to mark the 1932 overthrow of the absolute monarchy.
She said people who sincerely do good things for the country deserve blessings.
"Those with dhamma will be protected. Naturally, those who are oppressed will struggle," she said.
Attempts by people to stir up opposition to the junta from abroad would have little impact, Ms Puangkeo said.
"Thailand's move towards change will require a gradual process. We might need time. People will see how [the coup-makers] will serve the country. Justice, transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of a sustainable society," she said.
However, Prajak Kongkirati, a Thammasat University political science lecturer, said many people in this country have yet to agree on what they think equality means.
"Equality is a key principle of democracy. The current crisis in Thailand is deep-rooted because of differences over the concept of equality and inequality," said Mr Prajak, at a discussion panel at the Pridi Institute.
The discussion was also held to mark the 82nd anniversary of the revolution.
He said the Khanarassadorn had successfully changed how the country was run but failed to change the profoundly hierarchical structure of Thai society which was the main obstacle to sustainable democratisation.
The mindset of the people has been shaped to comply, conform and refrain from questioning their rulers through cultural and political education. Meanwhile, the middle class has adopted a royalist and elite hierarchical attitude to claim legitimacy in governing others.
Thailand would never be able to achieve true reconciliation if this structure remains, Mr Prajak said.
Elsewhere a group of poets read a pro-democracy statement at the Royal Plaza to mark the 1932 revolution.
Large numbers of police were on hand to closely monitor all three events.