one of Thailand's darkest days

The 6 October 1976 massacre, known as the 6 October event in Thailand, was a violent crackdown by Thai police and lynching by right-wing paramilitaries and bystanders against leftist protesters who had occupied Bangkok's Thammasat University and the adjacent Sanam Luang, on 6 October 1976

Prior to the massacre, thousands of leftists, including students, workers and others, had been holding ongoing demonstrations against the return of former dictator Thanom Kittikachorn to Thailand since mid-September. Official reports state that 46 were killed (on both sides) and 167 were wounded, while unofficial reports state that more than 100 demonstrators were killed. In the "Documentation of Oct 6" project, Thongchai Winichakul argued that official death toll should be 45, including 40 demonstrators and 5 perpetrators, because one demonstrator died in jail after the incident.

In the aftermath of the events of 14 October 1973, the military dictatorship which had ruled Thailand for more than a decade was overthrown. Political, economic and ideological factors caused the society to polarize into socialist-minded left, and conservative and royalist right camps. The unstable political climate which was exacerbated by the existence of fragile coalition governments, frequent strikes and protests, and the rise of communist governments in neighboring countries led at least two factions of the armed forces to conclude that they needed to launch another coup in order to restore order; one faction plotted to bring Thanom back in order to provoke turmoil which could be used to justify a coup. On 19 September 1976, Thanom returned to Thailand, was instantly ordained at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, and was visited by the King and the Queen, resulting in anti-Thanom protests and demonstrations. On 5 October, the protesters were accused of lese-majeste following a mock play which led to right-wing allegations that its actor looked like the Crown Prince; the police and rightist paramilitary groups then gathered outside the university.

At 5.30–11.00 a.m. on the morning of 6 October, the police used war-grade weapons, including assault rifles, grenade launchers, anti-armor rounds and grenades, to wage the crackdown against the surrounded protesters. The protesters briefly tried to defend themselves, but they were quickly defeated. Right-wing paramilitaries also lynched fleeing protesters; they were assaulted, robbed, sexually abused, shot, burned alive, and beaten to death, even some who had already surrendered. Bodies were also desecrated. 3,094 protesters were arrested on that day, while none of the perpetrators were brought to justice to date. On 6.00 p.m. that same evening, a coup was launched citing lèse-majesté and heavily armed protesters.

canucklhead wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 12:06 pm The second photo down was used as album cover art for the Dead Kennedys album Holiday in Cambodia. Kind of ironic but the image fit.

It wasn't, a crop of this photo by Neal Ulevich was used for the 12" single Holiday in Cambodia.

Sadly the country hasn't really progressed a lot if at all since then, well other than economically obviously.

Alex wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 12:52 pm Sadly the country hasn't really progressed a lot if at all since then, well other than economically obviously.

the last election showed ur wrong, the people are waking up and the writing is on the walls for the dinosaurs
Things are coming out now that 10, even 5 years ago never would have.
figure next election will bring changes.

Never forget

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:03 pm

Alex wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 12:52 pm Sadly the country hasn't really progressed a lot if at all since then, well other than economically obviously.

the last election showed ur wrong, the people are waking up and the writing is on the walls for the dinosaurs
Things are coming out now that 10, even 5 years ago never would have.

I would probably agree with you if the party that won the election had succeeded in actually forming a government. On several occasions, there was reason to be hopeful, but it always ended in tears. I admire your unbroken optimism, but cannot join in. Hopefully you'll be proven right.

Alex wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:20 pm

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:03 pm

Alex wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2023 12:52 pm Sadly the country hasn't really progressed a lot if at all since then, well other than economically obviously.

the last election showed ur wrong, the people are waking up and the writing is on the walls for the dinosaurs
Things are coming out now that 10, even 5 years ago never would have.

I would probably agree with you if the party that won the election had succeeded in actually forming a government. On several occasions, there was reason to be hopeful, but it always ended in tears. I admire your unbroken optimism, but cannot join in. Hopefully you'll be proven right.

That's exactly the point and why I said Next time>
Those in power were shocked that the move forward party won<
Its no longer just university students, but many middle class are looking for change. Move forward took all but one seat in Bangkok!
Unless the government makes changes, they will be out on their ass soon

Yes, i am hopeful