Flashermac Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Touching memorials today at TU on the 30th anniversary of the murders of the student protestors in 1976. It says something about the current government that they were allowed to be held. p.s. I was here then and the photos still tear me up if I look at them. Amazing brutality of Thais against other Thais. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Today's Bangkok Post: OCT 6 - 30 YEARS ON SPIRIT OF OCTOBER LIVES ON TODAY Thirty years after the bloody slaughter of left-wing activists, 'October people' are divided Story by WASANT TECHAWONGTHAM and SURASAK GLAHAN The 30th anniversary of a significant event often calls for a grand celebration or commemoration. But not the events of Oct 6, 1976. Since the bloody slaughter of left-leaning students and activists who were congregating in Thammasat University 30 years ago today, most Thais look warily towards its anniversary each year. It reminds them of an event they would rather forget, even though it is undeniably an important part of the development of democracy in Thailand. They have been reminded of the event again this year, more so than in others, not because it is the 30th anniversary but because recent political developments raised concerns of another possible bloodbath, as a result of the political polarisation between supporters and opponents of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. A serious rift has also emerged among those who identify themselves as the 'October people'. They are those who profess to share a common ideal for a just society that has arisen from their shared experience of witnessing and participating in the birth of Thai democracy on Oct 14, 1973, and its subsequent suppression 3 years later. Now they often find themselves standing on opposite sides of the political divide. Those who opposed the rule of the Thaksin administration called on their October brothers in the government to examine their roles, realise their mistakes and denounce what they said was a demonic system perpetuated by the billionaire-turned-prime minister. The prime targets included the prime minister's secretary-general Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, government spokesman Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, deputy transport minister Phumtham Wechayachai, education minister Chaturon Chaisaeng, public health minister Phinij Jarusombat, deputy party leader Sutham Saengprathum and party adviser Kriangkamol Laohapairoj. Amorn Amornrattananont, who left the Thai Rak Thai party after spending time as a staff member, resorted to writing two open letters addressed to Dr Prommin, to remind him of "the ideal of October" and ask him to leave the government. Mr Amorn was then secretary-general of the Students Centre of Thailand, the leading organ of the student movement. The response was negative. Those in the Thaksin camp insisted they remained committed to the October ideals. Indeed, they said, they stayed in the government to promote and protect the very ideal they all cherish _ democracy _ because the government was democratically elected and played by the rules. Mr Sutham, secretary-general of the Students Centre at the time of the slaughter, whose arrest together with 17 others led to a worldwide campaign to free them, denied he has changed his colours. He said he behaved differently now because of the different role he was in. As a politician he could not freely express himself and act the way he wanted to, but he must conform to the policies and principles established by his party. Had he been an academic like Oct 14, 1973 student leader Thirayuth Boonmi, he probably would have taken up the role of social critic, Mr Sutham said. By staying with Thai Rak Thai, he could better influence the party's direction. He also said his age has forced change on him. "I'm 50 years old. I'm not sure if people in my generation who fought together would still have the same spirit. They may have already forgotten it," he said. The different interpretations of the October ideal raise the question of whether there is a single definition that defines the political commitment of the generation during the twin events of Oct 14, 1973 and Oct 6, 1976. An independent scholar who has been a keen observer of the twin events insisted on calling the shared values and political commitment of that generation 'the spirit of October', explaining that the term better reflects the dynamism of the values and the people who share them. Observers and significant players in the two events agree that there are two closely related components of the October ideal. It was the spirit of democracy that led the students to rise up and topple the military dictatorship of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and Field Marshal Prapass Charusathien on Oct 14, 1973. For the first time in Thai history, the common people enjoyed the freedom they never had before. The new-found freedom ushered in a time of activism, student activism in particular. As the young people spread out to the rest of the country, what they found shocked them as they realised that people at the grassroots _ farmers and workers _ continued to suffer widespread misery under the yoke of the old capitalism controlled by a handful of oligarchs. "The students were naive. They thought that having democracy was the end of it. But as they went on field work, they found that the structure of exploitation of farmers and workers remained sound while the US still had great influence over the country," said Somchai Homlaor, chairman of the human rights committee of the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Radicalisation of society followed. The desire for social justice drove Thai students and the intelligentsia further to the left. In concert with developments in other parts of the world, they looked to socialism, which offered a rational explanation of the people's misery as well as a way to solve it. Demonstrations and protests then became almost daily events, which inevitably drew backlashes. Right-wing elements formed groups to counter the leftist movement, eventually leading to the tragedy on Oct 6, 1976. The Oct 6 coup might have suppressed the growth of socialism in Thailand but the spirit of October lives on. Many of the 'October people' pursued their desire for social justice by forming non-governmental organisations to work for social development and to counter the global domination of capitalism. While others took up different professions in business, science and politics, they professed to commit themselves to helping society at large, whenever and in whatever capacity they could. Mr Somchai, who spent eight months in jail after the Thammasat massacre and two years with the Communist Party of Thailand in the jungle after being freed, said the twin events have left a lasting legacy for Thai society _ the commitment to democracy and social justice and opposition to authoritarianism. The spirit of October manifested itself in the middle-class revolt against the military dictatorship in the Black May of 1992, he said. And it manifested itself again in the opposition to the Thaksin regime, which was considered a dictatorship in a civilian cloak. The latest military coup which toppled the Thaksin regime ironically presents the October people with a similar dilemma, with some opposing and others supporting it. "We have to admit that the [now defunct] Council for Democratic Reform was much more gentle than past coup makers, so much so that many of us think democracy could grow out of the barrel of a gun," Mr Somchai said. "This coup is a much more difficult challenge for the October people than the Thaksin regime, and it will be a much more difficult and complex nut to chew." He believes the coup will result in the much reduced influence of politicians, paving the way for the rise of the bureaucracy. "The question is whether civil society can have a checks-and-balance role? If not, we could see the emergence of protests like those we saw in May, 1992," he said. http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/06Oct2006_news03.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 OCT 6 - 30 YEARS ON KEEPING THE TORCH OF DEMOCRACY ALIGHT New generation of activists sought to maintain the flame that burned so brightly in a time of political darkness The Oct 6 commemoration movement is looking to be institutionalised with young 'torch bearers' brought in to help keep the flickering light of democracy fighters from going out. Past commemorations of the bloody uprising tended to be a mix of music concerts and political symposiums. They are designed to be an annual event, meaning any mention of the movement seldom comes up during the year. In essence, commemorations have slipped into public oblivion over much of the year. With the remembrance of fallen democracy heroes losing its appeal, the organisers of the events are addressing the perceived lack of enthusiasm among people toward the Oct 6 cause. Plans are afoot to create the October Democracy Institute to ensure movements which form the bedrock of ideology behind the Oct 6, 1976 and Oct 14, 1973 fights for democracy are not punctuated. And young blood is to be scouted for to help run the institute's activities so they will can be passed the 'October torch'. Dr Poldej Pinprateep, secretary of the 30th Anniversary of the October 6 Commemoration Committee, envisioned a more contemporary movement as the institute functions as an 'arm and leg' in promoting democracy. The institute carries with it the mission to keep dictatorship at bay by nurturing pro-democracy activism. The October-related foundations will be the 'joint parents' to the institute, which is managed by full-time professionals so it can maintain momentum all year round. Dr Poldej stressed that the institute intends to be the melting pot of the October campaigns and initiatives also combine the Oct 14 activities. The foundation, he explains, acts as financial cushion for the institute as well as overseeing its legal matters. He added that although the institute is still in its blueprint stage, a memorandum of understanding on its establishment is expected to be signed some time next year. Dr Poldej said the institute will be the wind under the wings of participatory democracy, working in partnership with such independent agencies as the Election Commission in organising clean polls or with the Social Development and Human Security Ministry in spurring political awareness among certain target groups. In the co-operation, however, the institute will not settle for the role of a subordinate, but be a partner in directing the projects, said Dr Poldej, also secretary-general of the Local Development Institute. Sustaining the institute's operations, however, is impossible without an infusion of young blood and Dr Poldej insisted the next generation of Oct 6 advocates are now in the making. He agreed circumstances can sometimes be an eye-opener and this was especially true of the extent of public response to the political crisis in the past months. News of the rampant graft in state contracts on TV had reached many young viewers. "Actually, I have Khun Thaksin to thank. My children prodded me to take them to see the CTX [scanners]," he said, of the alleged shady procurement of the multi-billion-baht bomb luggage scanners secured by the previous government. Dr Poldej said the Oct 6 commemoration could use more help from young people. In future, university students will have a wider role in organising events backed by the October institute. He hopes to achieve an uninterrupted chain of enthusiastic cooperation from the new generation. Dr Poldej said the mindset of the older October generation cannot be imposed on the young. So while the substance, the philosophy underpinning the pursuit of genuine democracy, must be kept intact, the style of events marking the watershed in the country's political history can be tailored to fit the fashion and tastes of the time. http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/06Oct2006_news04.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Flash, I hate to blow my own horn (this time anyway) but I put up some photos of this in a trip report last year sometime...trip reports or Culture section...I'll see if I or maybe someone else can find and post the link. The event was sort of "their Kent State." The most amazing picture to me is this one... A guy just so pissed off at what was happening, he was willing to pit a club against an M-16...It reminds me of an incident in El Salvador, and brought back some memories...people go to extreames when they are pushed to far. Here's a few more from the memorial... Can you or anyone read this and tell us what it says/means? Thanks Sad for the people who died in this protest. I believe the guy in the photo above holding the club, went on to eventually hold a government job of some sort. Not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 Opps, wrong uprising, never mind.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 But you have unwittingly pointed something out. The 1973 rising against the "gang of three" is well publicised and mentioned in the school text books. (I got here about 8 months before that one, and my campus was barricaded since the students actually feared an attack by the Army.) But the 1976 Thammasat Massacre is still something that is scarcely ever mentioned -- except at TU each year. The textbooks skim over it. It was much worse than Kent State, with hundreds of demonstrators being murdered. But like Kent State, the ordinary Thais seemed to feel the demonstrators "got what they asked for". Partly this was the demonstrators' own fault -- they were unbelievably naive and praised folks like the Khmer Rouge leaders! But also the right wing forces made things even worse. What really touched off the killings was the alleged mock hanging of a member of the royal family. A photo showing the "event" was carried front page by a now defunct Thai language paper and by the Bangkok Post (to its everlasting shame). One of my colleagues was in his first year teaching at TU in 1976 and went to watch the demonstrations. He said none of the archans thought the "victim" in the mock hanging resembled anyone in particular. I also know a Thai archan who is friends with the student who was "hung", and the ex-student assures him that the "victim" was not meant to be anyone other than a student. In other words, the right wing factions deliberately created a lie to cause the massacre. And with the violence that resulted, the Army had an excuse to step in and overthrow the democratically elected government which had clearly lost control. http://tinyurl.com/hxh3q Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/tango/thailand1976a.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 My understanding is, this last time around, Thaksin was planning some sort of lies/aggitated situation to justify a hard slam down. Glad it got stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Thats better ...the other link didn't work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodthaigirl Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Old Hippie : I believe the guy in the photo above holding the club, went on to eventually hold a government job of some sort. Not sure. His name is "Prapat Chartpanyarak". He was a Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the first term of Taksin administration. See his pic and CV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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