Ceremony Held To Mark 14th Anniversary Of May 1992 Bloodshed

[Jai Dee]

Ceremony held to mark 14th anniversary of May 1992 bloodshed

Several action groups, academics and relatives of those killed in the May 1992 bloodshed attended a ceremony Wednesday to mark the 14th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising.

The ceremony was held at the Santiporn Garden near the Government Lottery Office at 8 am.

Those attending the ceremony included Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, and other leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also attended the ceremony.

Source: The Nation - 17 May 2006

[jdinasia]

An absolutely fitting tribute to people that stood up to the regime then ....

Thankfully contrary to the doom-sayers nothing like that even came CLOSE to happening this time ... when people yet again rallied for Democracy!

[Jai Dee]

Rivals stand united to honor dead

Leading politicians from rival parties yesterday set aside their differences to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the violent suppression of mass political protests in May 1992. Together they agreed that the process of political reform must be peaceful.

Fourteen years ago, the public stood up to the military-backed government of Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, forcing it to resign. The so-called ‘Black May’ protests spurred a process of political reform that ultimately produced the Constitution of 1997.

Top members of the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties, which are engaged in a protracted political battle ahead of a new election, took part in a ceremony yesterday to lay wreaths commemorating those killed during the 1992 uprisings.

Caretaker Education Minister, Chaturon Chaisang, who was a student activist during the democracy movements of the 1970s, was among those who laid a wreath. Chaturon said recent demonstrations were healthy, but warned that they should not violate constitutional law.

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, who led the protests that brought about the resignation of Gen Suchinda, pointed to similarities between the latest demonstrations and the 1992 uprisings. “The movement against Thaksin is not unlike the movement to overthrow the last military dictatorship,” said Chamlong, a core leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy. “However, it has remained peaceful because the authorities have learned from the lessons of the past.”

Pipob Thongchai, another PAD core leader, said the country is in essence seeking to complete a fourth stage of political reform following in the wake of uprisings in October 1973, October 1976 and May 1992.

“In the nine years that have passed since the inauguration of the Constitution of 1997, power has remained in the hands of the powerful,” he said. “This has caused the people to stand up and demand further political reform – in this case [they are demanding] moral politicians.”

PAD leaders agree that the fight is not over and it will continue to push until it succeeds in spurring a post-1997 wave of reform.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said all sides must cooperate to carry out the next round of political reforms. “The fight for democracy must never stop and the people must try to push for improvements,” Abhisit said.

Hundreds of relatives and representatives of pro-democracy and civic groups participated in yesterday’s memorial. They praised the opposing sides for avoiding bloodshed despite their differences of opinion over how the country should be redirected.

Source: ThaiDay - 18 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Monks chant prayers yesterday during the commemoration ceremony for victims of Black May 1992 on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, which was attended by members of rival political parties and civic organizations.

Source: ThaiDay - 18 May 2006

[elkangorito]

I hope Thailand can safely 'kiss goodbye' to the days of nasty dictators. Hopefully, there will be no backward steps from herein.