1973 uprising not just about martyrdom

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.