At Black May event, new hope for democracy
HIGH-PROFILE politicians and political groups yesterday attended a memorial service to remember those who lost their lives in the Black May 1992 political uprising.
The event was held by the Pracha Dharma foundation at Santiporn Park at Ratchadamnoen Avenue. It was joined by representatives of the junta-appointed agencies known as the “Five Rivers”. They included Prime Minister's Office Minister Panadda Diskul, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vice president Surachai Liengboonlertchai, Ekachai Sriwilat Prasarn Marukpitak and Rosana Tositrakul members of the National Reform Council (NRC).
Amongst attendees, there was also red-shirt co-leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Jatuporn Promphan and yellow-shirt co-leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee Pipop Thongchai.
The Democrat Party was represented by Chamni Sakdiset and Ongart Klampaiboon. Former co-leaders of Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) Phra Uthai Chiyo [Yodmani] also attended the event.
Christine Schraner Burgener, ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand was also present at the ceremony.
A religious ceremony for Buddhist, Christian and Muslims was organised along with a wreath- laying for those who lost their lives over two decades ago.
Meanwhile, a blood donation was organised as a symbolic act to give blood for life instead of losing it.
ML Panadda said that the incident which took place on May 17, 1992 marked an important change in Thailand’s political history as the people’s uprising showed the public’s will to achieve democracy.
He added that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had recognised the people of Thailand’s wish to see real democracy in the country and had urged all to help achieve this goal by uniting and through reconciliation.
Rosana Tositrakul member of the NRC and chairperson of the event said, “The May 1992 demonstration occurred because all the heroic people wanted to see reform of the political system without any influence. They hoped that the election would lead to the development of a strong democracy and that it would not result in a coup.”
She added that in contrast, people of the 1992 demonstration had similar hope when another coup occurred 20 years later – a coup that took place as a result of political divisiveness.
“Whether the current coup could led to the birth of a democracy, the ideology of ‘May people’ is not representative democracy, but an inclusive and participative democracy where people can scrutinise administrative power as well as taking part in the making of national policy,”Ekachai said.
Ekachai said that regime change had always resulted in conflict between people and the state. Violence occurred every 20 years.
“We cannot let the time pass and allow violence to take place in the next 20 years. We should find a solution to these repetitive problems for them not to occur ever again,” he said. Ekacai put emphasis on a peaceful solution that would be a sustainable way to solve conflict.
