2400104 Politics and Government of Thailand

Political Massacre

14 October 1973

This was the violent suppression of protestors by the government of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn

Timeline

People were unsatisfied with the coup of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn’s government where the 1972 constitution gave full power to the government and how they delay the drafting of the permanent constitution.
The Tung Yai hunting incident (29 April 1973), where there was a discovered animal remains from the national park in the military’s helicopter. This made the National Student Center of Thailand (ศนท.) published a book called “บันทึกลับจากทุ่งใหญ่” to expose what happened in this incident, followed by a book called “มหาวิทยาลัยที่ไม่มีคำตอบ” which made some students got expelled, leading to the student protest.
The professors, students, and civilians (12 people) were calling out for the implementation of the constitution and were arrested (8 October 1973).
(9 October 1973) A black flag was raised, exams were cancelled, and a sign was shown saying “give us the citizens back” and “We called for a constitution, are we rebels?” at Thammasat University.
More people were active and willing to protest against the government, leading to more protests for the release of the people who had been arrested. The protesters insisted on the government releasing the people on 13 October 1973, yet the government didn’t do as promised.
The students (ศนท.) then kept protesting until 14 October 1973. The police and the military used violence against the students, causing many casualties and deaths. Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn then needed to resign and flee out of the country (with Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien and Narong Kittikachorn.)
Sanya Dharmasakti was appointed to be the new prime minister.

6 October 1976

Factors leading to this event

The rise of socialism

After 14 October 1973, people were given more intellectual freedom and were more politically active. The idea of socialism, which used to be forbidden, attracted a lot of attention.

The emergence of socialist ideas came from the rise of China studies, leading to a boom in publications like the analysis like "The Face of Thai Feudalism" and the "Red China Exhibition." These socialist ideas help students analyze Thai society as a class-based system, inspiring the formation of socialist political parties. Furthermore, the shift in ideology also influenced foreign policy, leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations with China.

The struggle for justice of labors, farmers, and various group of people

The 14 October incident allows more in freedom for the people who demand changes. Overall, the trend of fighting for democracy and justice was widespread.

Student movements

The main force of the movement was the students that were highly aware of the situation. Many student organizations emerged, which are believed to be supported by the National Student Center of Thailand.

After the 14 October incident, student movements shifted their focuses from demanding democracy to independence. The students also connected with the labors and the farmers, creating a stronger movement and was the main support of the fight for justice.

Cultural change

The influence of socialism made students criticize the existing art and culture as the culture that supports feudalism and capitalism. They argued that the new art should depict the suffering of the people and offer solutions for their struggles, leading to the idea of "Art for life, art for the people."

This idea impacted many cultural fields:

Literature: It led to the re-publication of "literature for life," which reflected the oppression of the people, and the "Burning Literature Exhibition" that criticized classic novels as corrupting the people. This period also established many translations of Chinese novels and new local writers.
Education: Students viewed the old system as backward. They organized exhibitions to criticize the old curriculum like "The Face of Education" and promote "Education for the Masses." Eventually, this led to the establishment of a committee for fundamental educational reform.
Music: Students pioneered the "Songs for life" genre (เพลงเพื่อชีวิต) that depicts people's hardship. Some music bands use their song to spread ideology and raise awareness. However, the ruling class restricted these songs from being broadcast.
Performing Arts: The "Theatre for Life" movement staged performances, being the core of student rallies and protests.
Visual Arts: The Thai Artists' United Front was formed and held the "Slave Art Culture" exhibition to criticize oppressive art and offer the new art that serves people.

The adjustment of student movement

The critiques of the student movements after the October 14 incident triggered an internal restructuring across many universities.

Rise of progressive student parties that won control of university student organizations: This led to the dominance of progressive parties, the decline of SOTUS, and the activities shifted to service-oriented work.
Ideological conflicts: More independent and more radical groups of student organizations emerged, weakening the leadership of the National Student Center. Fortunately, after appointing Krienkamon Laohapairoj as the secretary-general of the National Student Center, the movement's unity was restored. Additionally, there was a debate on which strategy they should utilize for revolution. Phin Bua-on advocated an urban-based uprising, which was rejected. As a result, the Communist Party of Thailand's (CPT) strategy of armed struggle based in rural areas was accepted instead.
The CPT's expanded influence: Students increasingly adopted socialism as the solution for the country. Additionally, there was a cultivation of the Revolutionary Cadre (Chiwathat) that aims to create a new revolutionary worldview. The life of Jit Phumisak was being studied, new ethics of self-sacrifice were promoted, and personal matters like love were politicized.
Cultural reinvention: There were newer traditions created as a result of the new worldview. For example, Loy Krathong Rak Thai with no beauty pageants, and the Thammasat-Chulalongkorn traditional football match with the theme of public service.

Other social movements

Women's rights movement

This was fueled by the opposition to the 1972 Miss Thailand contest. It was seen as inappropriate in time of economic hardship. The success of this protest led to the formation of women's groups.

The movement was radicalized by socialist ideas, criticizing sexual oppression under feudalism and capitalism. It demanded legal equality for women and rights for marginalized women.

Environmental Movement

The movement began after the river pollution crisis caused by the industrial wastewater. Students formed environmental and nature conservation clubs in many universities. They concluded that the people behind these environmental problems were capitalists, leading to more protests against development projects.

Timeline

June 1976

Sutham Sangprathum was elected as the secretary of the National Student Center of Thailand. The situation was serious.
27 June 1976: Kittiwuttho Bhikkhu (monk) gave an interview saying “killing people for nation, religion, and the monarchy is the same kind of merit as killing a fish for a monk.”

2 July 1976

The staff of the National Student Center of Thailand called for an assembly. During this assembly, many people were attacked. Around this time, someone asked the National Student Center of Thailand to flee from the country, claiming that they don’t want the students to protest against the possible coup d'etat but the National Student Center of Thailand refused to do so.

6 August 1976

The cabinet held a meeting on whether they should allow Marshall Thanom to enter the country. One side thinks that they shouldn’t let him in because it will cause a protest but the other side thinks that he has the right to enter the country.

10 August 1976

There’s a rumor that Marshall Thanom entered Thailand but there’s a news that he’s actually in Singapore the next day.

16 August 1976

It was reported that Field Marshal Prabhas, who fled out of the country from the 14 October incident, returned to Thailand.

19 August 1976

A group of students organized a parade with images of the October 14 martyrs to the police station to file charges against Field Marshal Prabhas.

3 PM: students gathered at Sanam Luang
5 PM: the National Student Center of Thailand held a protest
10 PM: about 10,000 students move from Sanam Luang to Thammasat University’s football field and protest all night

21 August 1976

The Red Gaurs surrounded the university

2 PM: Ramkhamhaeng university students joined the protest. The Red Gaurs attacked the crowds and one person was killed.
8.30 PM: The students were still protesting

22 August 1976

Field Marshal Prabhas fled outside Thailand, the students and the people disassembled.

28-29 August 1976

Marshall Thanom’s family entered Thailand. His daughters came to negotiate with the prime minister and requested him to bring the matter of allowing Marshall Thanom to become a monk into the cabinet.

31 August 1976

The cabinet agreed that they shouldn’t let Marshall Thanom in.

1 September 1976

The prime minister summoned the Director-General of the Police Department and the Deputy Director-General for Special Affairs for a meeting to prepare measures to prevent Field Marshal Thanom from entering the country, and considered Thanom’s offenses related to the events of October 14.

5 September 1976

Groups of students and workers announced that they are opposed to the return of Marshall Thanom.

19 September 1976

Marshall Thanom returned to Thailand, became a monk and visited his father. This news was spread and Thanom asked the protesters to stop for the sake of the religion.

The National Student Center of Thailand insisted on being opposed to the return of Thanom. Since religion was brought up, they thought that it’s better to wait for the government's decision. However, the decision to wait enraged many people.
The government was skeptical that Thanom’s return may be a part of someone’s plan to stage a coup.

20 September 1976

Seni Pramoj, the Prime Minister, had invited the leaders of the Chat Thai, Tham Sangkhom, and Sangkhom Chatniyom parties, as well as Mr. Saweet Piamphongsarn, to a meeting. The conclusions were:

Field Marshal Thanom has entered the monkhood as requested by the government.
Since Field Marshal Thanom is both a military marshal and a monk, he should be able to reflect on his own behavior if any chaos occurs.

Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj proposed passing a special law to expel Thanom from the country.
Mr. Damrong Luttapipat suggested that Thanom should go abroad.
The military announced that they would not intervene and would not stage a coup.
Major General Pramarn Adireksarn said that if Thanom became a monk in accordance with the constitution isn’t wrong because the students are fighting for the constitution
Phra Kittiwuttho said that only communists would expel a monk.
The Yan Kra Ra radio station and the Dao Siam newspaper broadcast attacks against the students to discourage the public from joining the protest. The National Student Center then used door-to-door visits and asked people about Thanom’s issue, which created more understanding and raised more awareness among the people.

21 September 1976

A bomb attack occurred with 5 casualties, which a radio station claimed that this was caused by The National Student Center.

22 September 1976

The National Youth Monks’ Coalition and Buddhist Federation of Thailand asked the Supreme Sangha Council to determine if Thanom violated monastic rules. Police were deployed to Wat Bowonniwet to protect it from potential attacks by opposing groups.

23 September 1976

Four MPs (Chumphon Maneenet, Klaew Narapoti, Mana Phityaporn, Phaitoon Wongwanich) submitted an urgent motion regarding Field Marshal Thanom’s return.

Prime Minister Seni Pramoj resigned, as he could not propose a law restricting residence for certain individuals without violating the constitution, nor control the situation.
Party members were divided, with left-right conflicts, and some MPs expressed no confidence in the government.

24 September 1976

Vichai Ketsripongsa and Chumphon Thummai were beaten to death while posting protest posters against Thanom.

Their bodies were found hanged in Nakhon Pathom
Police falsely reported the cause as a workplace dispute and bribed local journalists to stay silent.
Citizens brought photos and documents of the murder to the Student Center on 25 September.

On 6 October, five police officers were arrested for complicity in the killings (Chalit Jari, Yut Tumpranian, Thanet Laddakla, Saengmuk Saengprasert, Somsak Saengkham), but all were quietly released.

25 September 1976

Royal Command reinstated Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj as Prime Minister.

Their bodies were found hanged in Nakhon Pathom

Student Center coordinators informed the media about the murders and demanded that the government:
1. Remove Phra Thanom from Thailand immediately.
2. Arrest the perpetrators of the hanging murders.

29 September 1976

The Student Center and various activist groups organized a protest

During the protest, individuals claiming to be patriots used loudspeakers to verbally attack the student center, then police had to intervene.
Violent incidents occurred in Hat Yai, including the release of a venomous snake and gunfire. Several protesters were injured, including Mr. Jare Ditsakaew (ear wound) and Mr. Somchai Ketumpornchai (head and left-hand injuries).

1 October 1976

The Sanam Luang protest ended around 9 PM, with the announcement to return on 4 October at 3:30 PM to hear the government’s response.

Five relatives of the 14 October martyrs staged a hunger strike in front of the Government House, demanding a clear answer.

2 October 1976

Members of the Nawapol group visited Wat Phra Kaew to pledge to protect nation, religion, and monarchy, then gathered at Sanam Cha and discussed anti-communism.

Late that night, gunmen fired an M79 grenade launcher at the Thai Rath newspaper office.
The Thai Rath (3 October edition) speculated that Thailand’s next prime minister would not be from the Pramoj family, possibly from the Reform Council.
Thammasat University political science students halted exams in protest; Chiang Mai University students issued a statement demanding urgent government action.
The student center, with 10 representatives of other activist groups, met the Prime Minister to request a response to their demands.
Mr. Sutham Saengpratum announced that the government’s answer was unclear, so they planned to continue their opposition, calling for a protest at Sanam Luang on 4 October.

4 October 1976

Prime Minister Seni Pramoj admitted to the press that a group of police officers were responsible for the killings in Nakhon Pathom, while Marshal Kamon Dechatungka stated there was not enough evidence to prosecute the three dictators involved in the 14 October massacre.

At midday, students gathered at Thammasat University, where most students refused to take exams. There was a play reenacting the Nakhon Pathom hangings.
At 3:30 PM, the Student Center and pro-democracy coalitions held another mass protest at Sanam Luang.
By 5:30 PM, members of right-wing groups disrupted the protest using loudspeakers to attack the student center., led by Somsak Maladi, who was later arrested.
At 7:30 PM, the protest moved peacefully into Thammasat University, and announced they would not disassemble until Phra Thanom left Thailand.
At 9:00 PM, Dr. Puey Ungphakorn issued a statement ordering Thammasat University to close.
700 Chiang Mai University students marched and protested.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, students held open-air speeches against Phra Thanom.
In Khon Kaen, students also held anti-Thanom rallies and burned an effigy of him.

5 October 1976

A royal command appointed a new cabinet with Seni Pramoj as Prime Minister. The Bangkok Post published photos of Thammasat students reenacting the Nakhon Pathom hangings.

Students nationwide marched toward Thammasat and cancelled exams
Around 10 AM, a woman filed a police complaint accusing the student performers of lese-majesté against the Crown Prince, based on the newspaper photos.
The Dao Siam newspaper used the stage-play photos to spread accusations that students had defamed the Crown Prince.
At 8:35 PM, the “Free Radio Club” issued a statement calling the students “insurgents” and alleging their true goal was to destroy the nation, religion, and monarchy: marking the first time these groups labeled the protesters as “subversive.” They warned that bloodshed “could occur.”
At 9:30 PM, student leader Prayoon Akkharabovor presented the two drama performers, who clarified the staging and condemned the distortions by Yankraw and Dao Siam, which falsely connected the performance to the royal family.
At 9:40 PM, the government broadcast a statement announcing an urgent police investigation into alleged lese-majesté in the Thammasat play.
Throughout the night, Yankraw and Free Radio repeatedly called on citizens and Village Scouts to gather and demand the arrest of those accused of insulting the Crown Prince.
At midnight, senior police commanders held a high-level meeting.

6 October 1976

1.40-4.00AM, tension escalated around Thammasat University.
A group burned posters, the far-right group Nawaphon issued threats demanding arrests of student leaders, and radio broadcasts continued to incite hatred throughout the night. Border Patrol Police troops arrived and surrounded the campus.
5:30 AM, Police fired the first grenade into the crowd, killing at least four people.
From 7:00 AM onwards, police launched heavy gunfire. Crowds outside attempted to ram the gate. Many protesters were killed, and students who tried to escape were beaten. Commandos and BPP units tightened the siege.
08:25 AM, Police forces successfully stormed the campus and began arresting protesters. Students were beaten, insulted, robbed, and forced to take their clothes off More than 3,000 people were detained and transported to various police stations.
By late morning, schools were ordered to be closed.The government declared it had regained control and ordered strict suppression. Right-wing groups and Village Scouts rallied, demanding action against those accused of insulting the Crown Prince.
In the afternoon, the Cabinet held an emergency meeting. Later, groups marched to Government House to demand cabinet changes.
6.00 PM, Admiral Sangad Chaloryu announced a military coup, claiming students had committed lèse-majesté and were part of a communist plot.

24 August 1977

The Bangkok Military Court’s prosecutor decided to indict 18 students and civilians as defendants in the October 6 case.

16 September 1978

All 18 defendants, along with one defendant from the Criminal Court (Boonchat Sathiarnthammani), were granted amnesty and released.

18 September 1978

The Thammasat University Student Union, with student unions from eight other institutions, organized a welcoming event for the “Innocent Victims of October 6”.

May 1992 (Black May)

Thailand's May 1992 crackdown or the "Black May," happened during 17-21 May 1992.

Causes

Protests erupted against the appointment of General Suchinda Kraprayoon, a military leader who had participated in the 1991 coup, as a Prime Minister without election.
The protests were not only against Suchinda but also the power of the military and bureaucracy in Thai politics.

Protesters

Mainly democracy activists, students, and ordinary Thai citizens.

Demands

Protesters wanted democratic reforms, including an elected government and Suchinda’s resignation.

Government Response

Military forces were deployed to suppress the protests, violent crackdowns occurred, including the use of live ammunition.

Casualties

Officials reported 52 people died and 1,728 people were injured and 48 went missing. Human rights groups believe the true number may be higher.

Media Coverage

Some Thai TV channels were censored, but international and underground media helped expose the truth.
There was a media between the press (newspapers) and the electronic media (television / radio). The press was able to overcome the government's attempt to suppress it. However, the electronic media was subject to the military control, distorting facts and spreading propaganda (which led to public anger).

Turning point

King Rama 9 intervened and summoned Suchinda and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang, urging peace.

Timeline

23 February 1991: coup d'état

The National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC) with Suchinda Kraprayoon staged a coup and overthrown Chatchai Choonhavan's government.

Suchinda Kraprayoon promised that he wouldn't become a prime minister.

9 December 1991: 1991 Constitution

The constitution that was drafted by the committee (NPKC created the constitution drafting committee) was promulgated.

22 March 1992: Election

The political party that was established by the NPKC won the most votes. The party appointed Suchinda as the prime minister without him being a member of parliament.

April 1992: Protest

The students and the people (mostly from middle class) began to protest against the NPKC, demanding the resignation of Suchinda.

17-21 May 1992: Dispersing the protest

Suchinda's government sent thousands of soldiers and police with weapons to disperse the protest on 17 May, leading to casualties, deaths, and many people were missing. On 18 May, Chamlong Srimuang, who led the protest, was captured. On 20 May, there was a curfew announcement in Bangkok and King Rama IX requested to meet both Suchinda and Chamlong. After the meeting, the chaos began to cease, and the curfew was cancelled.

Aftermath

Suchinda resigned on 24 May 1992.
There was an intense debate on media reform concerning monopolistic: state-military control over television and broadcasts.
Led to constitutional reforms, pushing Thailand more democratic rule. It marked a significant moment in Thai political history symbolizing the power of civilian and monarchy’s role.

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