Dear friends,

From A Thai friend in Norway to remind us about the upraising of students and Thai peoples on 14 October 1973.

Thai labour movement led by the Thai Labour Solidarity Working Committee will have a rally tonight to follow up on the demand submitted to Thai government on the May Day.

Salute to the workers' struggle and people struggle for rights and justice.

In solidarity,

Lek....

14 October
1973: Thai army shoots protesters
Dozens of people have been killed in the Thai capital of Bangkok in street battles between government troops and demonstrators. Most of the victims were students from Thammasat University, who had gathered in large numbers for a second day of protests against the Thai military regime. Violence broke out when several thousand students took to the streets demanding the military government step down. They are also calling for an early introduction of a constitution.


Confrontation

Today demonstrators barricaded streets leading to government offices. Witnesses say protesters threw stones and petrol bombs but were driven back by police and troops using live rounds. Several people fell after shots were fired - reportedly the work of snipers. There have also been reports of fire engines and buses being commandeered and driven into tanks.

Clashes between troops and students also occurred at Thammasat University after students began returning from the street demonstrations. The students are angry with Field Marshal Thanom and his regime - successive military governments have ruled Thailand since 1947. The field marshal abolished the existing constitution in a coup in November 1971, and less than 10 days ago 13 pro-democracy campaigners were arrested for calling for a permanent constitution.

After a peaceful protest march of about 200,000 people yesterday, the government pledged to introduce a new constitution within 12 months. But there is considerable public scepticism about the government's promises - the last constitution took 10 years to be introduced.

Bangkok is now under a state of emergency. Newspaper censorship and curfews have been imposed, and schools in the capital will remain closed until the situation calms down.
In Context
- Numerous testimonies indicate the regime opened fire on unarmed civilians.
- The official death toll was 77. Over 800 were wounded.
- Later that day, Marshal Thanom resigned along with two other senior officers. The three were temporarily exiled.
- Dr Sanya Dhammasak, rector of Thammasat University, became the new Prime Minister.
- Civilian government survived until October 1976, when a military regime took over again.
- The last military coup occurred in 1991. Elections in 1992 returned democracy to Thailand.
- Democracy activists continue to campaign for the event's recognition in official Thai history. It is still not taught in Thai schools.
- Most Thais celebrate the 'October 14 Uprising' anniversary as Thai People's Rights and Freedom Day.




Country profile
Thailand - key facts and figures

Web Links
Asiaweek.Com - The Murky Events of October 1973
Asiaweek.Com - 'I didn't order the shooting'
Bangkok Post - Activists say put event in curriculum
Bangkok Post - October 14 named Rights and Freedom Day
Bangkok Post - Put aside differences, pleads PM
Bangkok Post - Old heroes fail to do much as politicians
Bangkok Post - The fight continues
CIA World Factbook - Thailand

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Junya Lek Yimprasert
Thai Labour Campaign
P.O. Box 219, Ladprao Post Office
Bangkok 10310

Tel: + 66 1 617 5491
Fax: + 66 2 933 1951

www.thailabour.org