Activities from 50 years ago, according to important government statistics, highlight the significance of true democracy.
Published on October 14, 2023, at 20:05
The state has urged Thais to take lessons from the student revolt on October 14, 1973, about the value of true democracy and to help shape the political system.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at a meeting at the October 14 Memorial page on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Saturday, which coincided with the uprising’s 50th anniversary.
You and I and every other Thai would not have had the chance to have politics the way they are now if those kids and citizens had no rebelled against tyranny and started fighting for genuine democracy at the time, he said.
The second peaceful mass uprising against tyranny occurred on October 14, 1973, and its effects have persisted for five decades, according to him.
Despite numerous military coups, he added that the compromise made by those pro-democracy protesters marked the beginning of Thai society’s political development. The country has learned a great deal about politics from the 1973 rising over the past decades.
While the peaceful 1973 demonstrations against Thanom Kittikachorn’s tyranny got under way, on October 14, tensions rose and eventually got out of hand, leading to 77 fatalities and more than 800 injuries. That night, Thanom announced his resignation.
At the 14 October 1973 Memorial honoring those who died during the student uprising fifty years ago, a person hangs an ornament on the walls. ( Image: Apichart Jinakul )
Mr. Wan stated that he thought the true goal of those who started fighting for democracy fifty years ago was for all Thais to learn from what transpired in the nation’s elections at the time and continue to advance politics.
According to public health minister Cholnan Srikaew, despite the fact that five decades have passed, the uprising’s training continue to serve as a constant reminder to all Thais of the value of politics.
” They gave their lives in the pursuit of establishing true politics in Thailand.” And I’m confident that their devotion will be rewarded. We will be guiding Thailand toward total politics, he declared.
Wasan Paileeklee, a regional human rights commissioner, Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, members of various pro-democracy organizations, and the kin of those who passed away in 1973 were also present at the memorial service.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker, speaks on behalf of the government and attends the meeting on Saturday, October 14, 1973. ( Image: Apichart Jinakul )