Assessing the legacy of Thailand’s first people power uprising

[snoop1130]

 

50 years ago this week, growing discontent with the Thai ruling elite’s corruption and abuse of power boiled over into a major campus protest at Thammasat University, one of Thailand’s oldest universities and a hotbed of political activism, before escalating into widespread street demonstrations.

 

They culminated in an unprecedented popular uprising that saw hundreds of thousands of people rally on Rajadamnern Avenue in Bangkok on October 14th, to demand an end to dictatorship under the Thanom government. Hundreds, including university students, were gunned down by security forces, but the pro-democracy protesters won the day.

 

On that day, the corrupt regime, led by Prime Minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and his military cohorts, crumbled after more than 10 years in power. It was, without a doubt, a triumph for people power, but it came with a heavy price in terms of human lives.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-11

 

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[Tropicalevo]

The PBS article is quite good but I wonder how true their observations are. eg

Quote

On that fateful day, October 6^th, 1976, the military took power again, perpetuating the vicious cycle of civilian government and military rule, which persisted until very recently.

Do we really believe that the military are not in control?

The military appointed senators changed the election outcome against the will of the majority and they are still in place.

There are quite a few 'military' still pulling strings.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

On that day, the corrupt regime, led by Prime Minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and his military cohorts, crumbled after more than 10 years in power. It was, without a doubt, a triumph for people power, but it came with a heavy price in terms of human lives.

So what's changed?

[Srikcir]

22 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

So what's changed?

PTP that seemed to fight for democracy finally gave up to stay politically in power. What I call, 'How a legacy became a myth.'

[mikebell]

 From the article;

'Hundreds, including university students, were gunned down by security forces,'

'Only three years after the people’s revolt, another tragedy struck, with dozens of students massacred at the hands of militarily-supported rightwing extremists on the campus of Thammasat University'

'Thai politics is entering a new phase, which sees a democratically-elected government replacing the old administration, which was a legacy of the military dictatorship that reigned for almost nine years.'

 

An old French saying.  'plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. '

[Purdey]

1976 was a period of atrocities. Students raped, hung on Thamasart university trees and bayoneted.

I just don't want students to use violence to overthrow any government.

Why aren't people power politicians willing to gain power without showing their hand until it is too late and then change things quickly?