Anniversary of democracy

[Rinrada]

All a little bit sad but is this just part of the smile?

ANNIVERSARY OF DEMOCRACY

Politicians neglect ceremony

Few beyond the faithful turn out for service

(Onnucha Hutasingh-Bangkok Post)

QUOTE "These are people who can not think of others, only of themselves. These are selfish people.''

Khunying Poonsuk Banomyong arrives at Wat Phra Srimahathat in Bang Khen for a religious ceremony to remember those who took part in the struggle for democracy, leading to a change of the country's administrative system on June 24, 1932. - Pattanapong Hurundard

Not a single representative of the government, the parliament or any political party attended yesterday's commemorative service for Khana Rassadorn (the People's party), which engineered the change from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy 71 years ago.

Chumpol Promyong, 62, son of key party member Chaem Promyong, said Thai people easily forget their history, and that was one of the greatest flaws in the national personality.

``That is an `underdeveloped' character. Thai people do not give importance to historical events,'' he said.

``They do not care to learn about the past, about their own roots. These are people who can not think of others, only of themselves. These are selfish people.''

The service at Wat Pra Sri Mahathat in Bang Khen was attended by about 50 family members of the 99 civilians and army and navy personnel who staged a bloodless coup on June 24, 1932, the day the first chapter of Thailand's democratic history was written.

Khana Rassadorn's only living member Krajang Tulalak, 91, said he was proud to be part of the group that made the change, although it was not widely remembered today.

Lt Krajang said it would be a high recognition of Khana Rassadorn and its bravery if the government honoured key figure Pridi Banomyong, who had been embroiled in a power struggle and was forced into exile, where he died.

Pridi's son Sukpreeda Banomyong, 67, noted some development in Thai democracy but the system was still not a ``true democracy''.

He said Thai society was plagued with inequality and injustice.

Mr Sukpreeda said facts about Khana Rassadorn had been twisted to portray its members as people who wanted to overthrow the monarchy.

``That is not true. Thailand is now under a constitutional monarchy and still has His Majesty the King as head of state,'' he said.

``That was the intention of Khana Rassadorn from the beginning.''

Chulalongkorn University historian Surachai Yimprasert said that in addition to the 99 Khana Rassadorn members, another 400 civilians and non-commissioned soldiers had taken part in the bloodless revolution.