What Is Not Much Discussed

[aaaaaa]

somehow this matter is not much mentioned in Thai media and even Nation, newspaper which has posted a brief article about it - did it only somewhere but not on the main page.

October 6, 1976: Violent crackdown at Thammasat University

The return of former prime minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn in September 1976 caused widespread protests by students and workers. A large protest was held inside Thammasat University from October 4.

October 6, 1976: Violent crackdown at Thammasat University

In the morning of October 6, security forces and right-wing extremists stormed into the university compound.

Dozens of the protesters were killed, most of them with gunshots, during the violence in and around the university, as well as at the nearby Sanam Luang public ground. Lynching and rapes were also reported during the crackdown.

A military coup that evening overthrew the government of MR Seni Pramoj and put an end to three years of liberal democracy.

while one of the guys (Samak?) who reportedly participated in those events is now active in pre-election preparations. perhaps he is not the only one....

well, it is understandable - there is much more fun in Thaksin bashing, verbal masturbation over and over and over again....

[londonthai]

thailand is still the country where not everything can be said - there is self-censorship and for those not playing the rules of the governing class there are prisons and, in extremes, crocodile farms fodder

[rafval]

somehow this matter is not much mentioned in Thai media and even Nation, newspaper which has posted a brief article about it - did it only somewhere but not on the main page.

October 6, 1976: Violent crackdown at Thammasat University

The return of former prime minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn in September 1976 caused widespread protests by students and workers. A large protest was held inside Thammasat University from October 4.

October 6, 1976: Violent crackdown at Thammasat University

In the morning of October 6, security forces and right-wing extremists stormed into the university compound.

Dozens of the protesters were killed, most of them with gunshots, during the violence in and around the university, as well as at the nearby Sanam Luang public ground. Lynching and rapes were also reported during the crackdown.

A military coup that evening overthrew the government of MR Seni Pramoj and put an end to three years of liberal democracy.

while one of the guys (Samak?) who reportedly participated in those events is now active in pre-election preparations. perhaps he is not the only one....

well, it is understandable - there is much more fun in Thaksin bashing, verbal masturbation over and over and over again....

this had to be done to protect the nation, king and buddhism, and to keep the country unified, us westerners just dont understand apparently but it true, just ask any thai

[plachon]

Today is October 14, so it would be more appropriate for the papers to mention the Oct. 14, 1973 massacre. If they haven't then something is definitely amiss, as there is always a get together of ex-students from that era at the momument down on Ratchdamnern Avenue at this time of year to remember those who died on 14 Oct, 6 Oct and Black May. They used to get quite a few politicians along as well, but not sure these days.........

[hanuman1]

I've seen video footage shot at sanam luang on that day. it is the worst example of human atrocity i have ever seen. bodies smouldering among old tires piled up in the middle of the road as office wrokers went about their daily business. the worst acts were carried out by crazed men wearing those blue Mao suits. i don't know who the hel_l they were, but they were animals that day.

those poor people who died should be remembered for our sake as much as theirs.

[KhaoNiaw]

just ask any thai

You really haven't tried very hard, have you? There are plenty of Thais who you could talk to in depth.

For a start, try

www.2519.net

www.thaioctober.com

www.firelamtung.com

The media has sometimes given more extensive coverage to the October events but the current political situation certainly doesn't encourage it this year.

Edited October 14, 2007 by KhaoNiaw

[Thanyaburi Mac]

somehow this matter is not much mentioned in Thai media and even Nation, newspaper which has posted a brief article about it - did it only somewhere but not on the main page.

October 6, 1976: Violent crackdown at Thammasat University

[

A military coup that evening overthrew the government of MR Seni Pramoj and put an end to three years of liberal democracy.

while one of the guys (Samak?) who reportedly participated in those events is now acti

I was working and living down on Sukumvit Soi 1 while this was going on, pretty well stayed out of the news, what little there was of it.

A going away party for me that evening in a house about under where Bamrungrad Hospital is now, then the martial music came on the radio & TV, oops, another coup, no problem.

Next morning I loaded up my VW Camper van and headed up Udorn way for a months vacation prior to heading back to the U.S., same music all the way.  

Got upcountry and out to the village.  The locals there were largely saying, well, things will be safer now when visiting Bangkok, no more technical student gangs tossing bottle bombs and such at the buses.  

Then the hardliner Tanin Kraivixien came in as PM and was tossed out the next year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Thailand

Aw, well, such is life here in the LoS!

Mac

[Etrigan]

I have also seen the video of the events of that day. And I can confirm that Samak was there, pulled up in his small car and immediately started acting like he was running part of the show.

One thing I'll say about him, he hasn't changed much in 30 years. He's still a horrible little man.

[KhaoNiaw]

I have also seen the video of the events of that day. And I can confirm that Samak was there, pulled up in his small car and immediately started acting like he was running part of the show.

He was.

[sbk]

Today is October 14, so it would be more appropriate for the papers to mention the Oct. 14, 1973 massacre. If they haven't then something is definitely amiss, as there is always a get together of ex-students from that era at the momument down on Ratchdamnern Avenue at this time of year to remember those who died on 14 Oct, 6 Oct and Black May. They used to get quite a few politicians along as well, but not sure these days.........

October 14 is being discussed here On This Day

[KhaoNiaw]

Here are some songs commemorating the events from a Thai website:

http://www.9dern.com/song_pop.htm

http://www.9dern.com/song_alter.htm

http://www.9dern.com/song_life.htm

(Note: the songs on the linked pages are changed regularly, so the October song will probably be replaced in a couple of weeks).

Edited October 15, 2007 by KhaoNiaw

[kmart]

I have also seen the video of the events of that day. And I can confirm that Samak was there, pulled up in his small car and immediately started acting like he was running part of the show.

One thing I'll say about him, he hasn't changed much in 30 years. He's still a horrible little man.

Because thats what he is. And no-one has ever taken him to task for it...?

[ColPyat]

this had to be done to protect the nation, king and buddhism, and to keep the country unified, us westerners just dont understand apparently but it true, just ask any thai

Most Thais have not much idea about what happened at Oct. 6th., especially the nastier details. Still today much about what happened cannot be talked about in public.

But you will find many Thais of that generation who were there or lost friends there very angry. This day was a watershed day, and still has impacts on Thai politics. Samak was involved, and so were many others - and nobody was punished.

If you really think the brutal murder of maybe hundreds, the raping and torture, was "necessary" - then i would suggest educating yourself a bit.

[sbk]

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