Thai Activists Commemorate Brutal Student Massacre

On Wednesday, October 6th, Thai activists gathered together in Bangkok to commemorate the 45th anniversary of a brutal student massacre that took place in 1976, when Thai police and right-wing paramilitaries lynched leftist students who had occupied Bangkok’s Thammasat University to protest the return of former dictator Thanom Kittikachorn to Thailand. The Thailand authorities and royalist militias were never held accountable for their actions and the event has been largely censored by the local government. Efforts to create a national holiday to remember those who passed away have been declined by university authorities repeatedly. This year, local activists decided to hold an event to commemorate the fearless protestors who had passed away during the massacre. The event drew hundreds of people, including very prominent opposition figures like Thanathorn Juangroonggruangkit, a member of the Future Forward party.

I think this event is especially significant because it is an incredibly symbolic way for activists to show collective power and keep alive the memory of an important part of Thailand’s political history. I also wonder whether this event will be a critical turning point for Thailand’s political system, especially as pro-democracy movements are on the rise. It seems that many activists and local community members remain optimistic about the future as they fight for a more democratic political system for the next generation, which is both hopeful and empowering.

Sources

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-activists-commemorate-brutal-student-massacre