Dark days in October

The elderly man frowns in concentration as he studies the black-and-white photos depicting the student revolt of October 14, 1973. He walks slowly, going from wall to wall, and gallery to gallery, nodding occasionally as an image sparks a memory.
His 10-year-old granddaughter is also examining the photographs, looking in amazement at groups of angry students and lines of soldiers.
“These student leaders-cum-heroes are now important figures, laying down the rules in today’s democracy,” the old man tells us.
The show “40th Year of 14 October 1973, Thai Popular Uprising”, is at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. It’s a collaboration between Thai PBS, Thammasat University, the Pridi Banomyong Institute, King Prajadhipok’s Institute, BACC and the 14 October Foundation.
More than an exhibition, it is a record of history, with the 41 images, most of them from the media, underlining the power of the people as they marched along Rajdamnoen Avenue, demanding “democracy”. There have, of course, been several uprisings since that 1973 event, yet this is the one that remains etched in the collective memory.
The photos of the biggest uprising in the history of Thailand have been collated from the libraries of many newspapers including Thai Rath, The Nation and the Bangkok Post as well as the 14 October Foundation. Among the highlights is a series of never-before-seen images by ABC photographer Sathan Pairor.
Displayed in chronological order from October 6 to October 15, they recount the story of the demand for democracy by university students through rallies at Thammasat to the gathering of students and the public around Rajdamnoen Avenue and the Democracy Monument. Other photos show the attack by police and the army on the crowds in front of Suan Chitralada Palace on the morning of October 14, and the aftermath of the event, which led to the deaths of 77 protesters and saw another 857 injured.
Sathan’s previously unpublished shots paints another side of the picture, showing a row of monks walking along Rajdamnoen Avenue past burned out vehicles the day after the uprising.
According to the 14 October Foundation, more than 500,000 students under the leadership of student activist Thirayuth Boonmee and his team took part in the demonstrations.
The exhibition also features quotes from key figures including Thirayuth and fellow activist Seksan Prasertkul, and Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, son of former premier Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and a socio-political critic.
Thai PBS will air an interview with all three on October 17.
 

DEMANDING DEMOCRACY
“40th Year of 14 October 1973, Thai Popular Uprising” is at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre until Sunday.
The exhibition then moves to the Learning Centre at Thai PBS on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
Thai PBS is broadcasting a special series on October 1973. For details, see www.ThaiPBS.or.th/14Tula.