1973 uprising not just about martyrdom

[Lite Beer]

1973 uprising not just about martyrdom
Wannasiri Sirivarna
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising, which celebrated the ousting of the dictatorial regime led by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, has generated renewed interest in the tumultuous events, especially in the only remaining film footage to be captured at the time.

Chin Klaipan and Thaweesak Viriyasiri are the only-known people to have captured on film what went on - and while both may no longer be alive - the footage has been much scrutinised and repeatedly used in films and documentaries. And yet, most people watching it, will have no idea who risked their lives to record it.

Independent documentary director Panu Aree is the latest to have utilised the historical footage in order to produce a documentary called "The Shadow of History".

The 45-minute-long film enables audiences to get close to the so-called "little people" or ordinary folk and records what some of them were doing as citizens and how they defined democracy at that time.

Panu said that although four decades have passed, Thai politics is still divisive and stuck in the past. Memories of what happened are focused mostly on the glorification of the martyrs, while opportunities to learn from past political mistakes have been overlooked.

Independent political scientist Sirote Klampaiboon says many Thai films include subtle references to the October 14, 1973 uprising. He cited a film in which one of the main characters flees to Sweden and lives in exile. This, said Sirote, reflected the reality of Thai politics at that time and questions why some of those involved in the uprising were forced to live in exile.

Sirote also adds that some novels like that of author Prapassorn Sevikul have been reprinted as many as 30 times, suggesting that the uprising still has a strong influence on people today.

Panu acknowledged, however, that most film producers are reluctant to produce films specifically about the uprising for fear they wouldn't be commercially successful. Panu said his film was not trying to teach audiences about the past, but he hoped the film would demonstrate that the uprising should not just be remembered for its martyrs, but also as an important step in Thailand's political development.

-- The Nation 2013-10-13

[tomross46]

The 1973 uprising was due to the corrupt policies of politicians during the dictatorship of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. Today it has not changed, we still have corrupt politicians, but now they are under the control of the Shin Dynasty. I still remember the happenings at the Ratanagosin Hotel. Even though PM Samak said only one person died, where did all the bodies go, Kanchanoburi?

[siampolee]

where did all the bodies go, Kanchanoburi?

I have been told by a pretty reliable family source ( he was conscripted military at the time 1973) that many of the bodies were dumped into the ocean, some were so decomposed that they were fed to scavengers many were also mutilated to destroy any chance of later identification, there were also burials however he was not involved in the burial activities but his comrades told him that they were and they had themselves been sworn to secrecy and any leaking of information would indeed bring about dire retribution upon them and their whole family. .

This source is not a dedicated Buddhist, however every October 14th he goes to the temple laden with offerings to offer his condolences for the massacre victims, from what he says he wasn't involved in the actually blood bath but he like a good many others was ordered to clean up the area, assist in body disposal and destroy evidence.

I see no reason for him to lie and he is indeed a very peaceful person who abhors violence possibly that is due to his past experiences in 1973.

I was trusted by him and still am am as i am a farang thus of course there would be no connection to me concerning the matter nor any notice taken of any comment I may make or have made.

I informed him I was going to make this post his comment was along the lines of ''good the truth must be known and such an terrible slaughter should never be allowed to happen ever again.''

[Lite Beer]

People commemorate 40th anniversary of Oct 14 uprising
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 13--- Survivors and relatives of deceased demonstrators and politicians who were involved in the historical demonstration on Sunday gathered at Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to mark the 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising.

The event began in the early morning with religious rites and merit-making for victims who lost their lives in the student-led political demonstration on Oct 14, 1973.

Wreaths were then laid at the monument while tributes were read for those killed in the pro-democracy protest 40 years ago.

After a wreath-laying ceremony, the people marched to Thammasat University's main auditorium where a number of activities were being held.

One of the activities scheduled was that Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang would deliver a speech and a lecture on this occasion.

Regarding the October 14, 1973 uprising, a survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll among 1,408 persons found that 82.72 per cent of poll respondents knew about the incident as it was a major pro-democracy demonstration in the country’s history and always pointed out as a lesson for the country.

Meanwhile, 51.82 per cent of respondents indicated they were quite interested in the incident and wanted to learn more about facts, explaining that the uprising is always referred to and compared to other political protests. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-10-13

[clockman]

And what has changed since then? Nobody was held responsible then! And the same now!

[JoeThePoster]

Google search "May 2009", "freight containers", "skeletons", "Sattahip".

[indyuk]

It was Kittikachorn himself that er ordered the ending of the protest by using military force and lethal fire. I believe his grand daughter still lives in Bangkok but not in the old Kittikachorn family compound where she was raised. I believe she is a reporter and definitely a writer because I have read some of her work. The whole Kittikachorn family suffered from the patriarch's disgrace. However she has never disclosed anything of that terrible day.

After becoming prime Minister once more Kitticachorn retreated to a Buddhist Temple to put himself out of reach of the scorn that the family suffered as it became clear that the small numbers of victims that the government of the day admitted to were thought to be in the thousands of dead, not dozens. In time the estimate of the people settled at a claim of 3,000 dead or disappeared.

As for what became of Kitticachorn he seems to have spent the rest of his life in the Buddhist temple in disgrace. However it seems that after his death it he was given a state funeral.

Whether the truth, if it is actually known, will ever be entered in Thai history books of Thailand would seem to be unlikely. We have to settle for the beat of the drum of the Thai peoples Babel, or accept the government's own statement.

[Hawkman]

Google search "May 2009", "freight containers", "skeletons", "Sattahip".

I remember one night here in 2009 there was a TV documentary about those bodies found in the containers, some way through, the program suddenly disappeared and on came a movie instead. I went online to read more and those containers had made news but quickly fell off the news radar. Quite scary and obviously a cover up.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Hawkman