Red-yellow divide besets events to mark Oct 14

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SPECIAL REPORT
Red-yellow divide besets events to mark Oct 14
Anapat Deechuay,
Satien Viriyapanpongsa
The Nation


A number of people placed flowers at the October 6, 1976, Memorial yesterday over the bloody incident at Thammasat University 37 years ago. Although victims of the violence are long gone, they have never been forgotten.

BANGKOK: -- This the first part in a series commemorating the 40th anniversary of the October Uprising. The series will run until October 14, the anniversary of the day students and the public stood up against a dictatorship in 1973.

The participants in the student-led October 14, 1973 uprising, known as the "October Generation", might have fought side-by-side against military dictatorship. But when it comes to organising an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the protest, they are now divided into two camps going their separate ways.

One group is called "14 October Foundation". It has been the organiser in the past, but now it is seen as part of the yellow shirts, as it is under Dr Wichai Chokwiwat. The other group is new. Called "The Committee of October 14 for the Absolute Democracy", it is under one of the red-shirt leaders, Jaran Ditapichai.

The formats of the two events are similar. Both feature a speech by ex-student leader Seksan Prasertkul. So why do they need separate events?

Wichai says that while October 14 contributed greatly to society, capitalists have played a bigger role in Thai politics. "Since the ... uprising, people have become more aware of their rights. They fought [for] elections. But elections...are not the answer ... as the representatives do not aim to solve the country's problems, [they aim] to maintain their power and benefits. This is...not a real democracy," he said.

However, there was still a chance for both groups to join hands if they share the goal of bringing prosperity to the country, he said.

Jaran said the uprising was a fight against dictatorship. Before that, Parliament was under technocrats, lawyers and teachers. Afterwards, capitalists played a bigger role. "Without October 14, I wonder how people like Banharn Silapa-archa...would be able to have their present roles," he said.

"Pridi Banomyong [founder of Thammasat University] told us ... absolute democracy ... means democracy in all aspects - political, economic and social. The only will that remains today is freedom," he said.

Both the red shirts and the yellow shirts enjoy freedom, but they interpret it differently. "One group says democracy is serving capitalism, the other says the current democracy is better than bureaucratic polity in many ways," he said.

The organisers of the October 14 events cannot join forces, as the rifts of the October Generation are too deep and their ideologies too different, he added.


-- The Nation 2013-10-07

[worgeordie]

It seems like no one in Thailand knows what true Democracy is,

each faction has their own view on it ,and theirs is what they see

as Democracy, and view all others as the enemy to there cause.

It needs someone ,something to united the Country, as the current

state of affairs is ripping the Country and the people apart,the problem

is there is no foreseeable solution.and that is a crying shame.

regards Worgeordie

[Guest Gandtee]

I am amazed that the Red and Yellow shirts could not bury their differences to commemorate an event which gave all Thais the chance to come together and make Thailand a place the envy of SE Asia. The place to settle their differences is at the ballot box. Not to behave like mindless robots, as was the case in the Chinese Communist period and now in N. Korea. Yes, campaign for change, but to bring mindless mobs onto the streets to achieve it is not the answer. In fact it reinforces the opposition and alienates would be sympathisers to their cause. Both sides need to follow the so called Thai tradition and compromise. Without compromise Thailand, sadly,will be forever divided. What a shame.

[hammered]

Hopefully they all without exception still at least oppose all coups, or they will have abandoned their principles along the way. Political differences can be sorted out in the political/democratic arena and they can have different opinions on that. Interestingly the other English language organ with strong links to the Democrat party takes a very different view from this report. Always interesting to see how the propaganda machines spin things.

On a separate note it was excellent to see that it is reported in the Nation of all places that Anand has joined the Banharn reform council. That is by far and awau the biggest news of today of the Nation have got it right.

[Siripon]

Hopefully they all without exception still at least oppose all coups, or they will have abandoned their principles along the way. Political differences can be sorted out in the political/democratic arena and they can have different opinions on that. Interestingly the other English language organ with strong links to the Democrat party takes a very different view from this report. Always interesting to see how the propaganda machines spin things.

On a separate note it was excellent to see that it is reported in the Nation of all places that Anand has joined the Banharn reform council. That is by far and awau the biggest news of today of the Nation have got it right.

I don't think Anand has joined the 'reform' council. He is just being polite to Banharn in not turning him down outright.

Banharn, one of the most notorious politicians of the last 25 years,a man who runs his party as it is his own company, a man who has diverted vast sums of taxpayers' money to Supanburi to boost his own personal esteem at the taxpayers' expense,a man who openly said being in the Opposition meant a 'dry mouth', ie no chance for corruption.

Banharn in charge of reform. What a farce!

[Guest Gandtee]

Maybe this is an example of Thainess. You cannot have a disagreement with a Thai or even tell him off, even in the work place. My wife advised me many years ago to put my orders/requests through a Thai foreman to avoid friction. Unlike the UK where after a good rollicking you can go down to the pub and have beer together. Here, the relationship is destroyed and it festers forever.I read a Thai parable where a monk carried an old woman across a river. His alms carrying boy sulked that the monk had touched a woman. The monk said "I put my burden a long time ago. Why are you still carrying yours"? Maybe the Thais should heed his advice.