FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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October 14 must stand out on its own

October 14 must stand out on its own

Nobody can monopolise the ideals behind that historic day in 1973

Tomorrow is the day for political reflection. Traditionally, it has always been the case, but has October 14, 1973 been “seriously” thought about lately? In other words, the anniversary of one of the most important days in Thai politics was mostly about wreath-laying, poetry reading and probably some emotional seminars but then, all the talk or reminiscences would end just as abruptly. When the commemoration becomes more serious, modern-day ideological disagreements get in the way.
Who has the right to commemorate October 14? With Thais ideologically split down the middle, the question has become resounding although nobody has actually asked it out loud. From web boards to personal Facebook postings, Thailand’s on-going political crisis has put a strange spotlight on October 14, 1973. The day is being seen somewhat differently by Thais along their ideological lines, but it’s not supposed to be like this.
We must give “October 14” the honour it deserves by allowing it to stand out on its own. It should not be brought into association with either side of the current Thai polarity. Thai politics has evolved significantly since what His Majesty the King called “the Day of Great Tragedy”, so nobody should monopolise the ideals behind the bloody uprising, not least those with stakes in the current crisis.
The day proved that Thailand as a nation always yearns for freedom and will not tolerate a corrupt government. And that should be it. What drove hundreds of thousands of Thais to Rajdamnoen Avenue seemed so simple compared with the current situation, which is a lot more complicated. October 14, 1973 has its own meaning. It reflected Thailand as a liberty-seeking teenager. That teenager has gone through a lot ever since, making the right choices or bad mistakes along the way.
October 14, 1973 marked the first popular uprising in Thailand. The uprising was successful, but the cost was a high death and injury toll. The catalyst of the upheaval was a “self-coup” by then Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn and his abolition of a charter. Democracy took a bad break, allowing corruption to infest the country. When activists protested peacefully against the corrupt and dictatorial Thanom regime, they were arrested and officially branded “traitors”. We know what happened afterwards.
Simple as the October 14, 1973 seemed, various factors and ideals contributed to it. October 14, 1973 was marked by the rise of Thailand’s student movement and simultaneous campaigns against dictatorship, corruption, America and Japan. The students themselves were split, and the still-fledgling middle class of Thailand only backed the student movement on economic grounds. Then there was the Indochinese situation: war, Western influences and fears of that the country would be taken over by communist forces.
In short, it was very different from now. The student movement today is just a part of a highly complex political landscape. America was abhorred then and some Thais still disdain Washington now but America haters and admirers of then and now must have switched camps. And in regard to Japanese goods – a major target of protest in the 1970s – we only need to look around us.
Then there is the important issue of democracy, which has evolved remarkably from the day student activists defied tanks and helicopter gunships that were blasting away at them. October 14, 1973 may be the first lesson on popular political struggle, but that first lesson was not exclusive to anyone. The day must stay in all Thais’ memories as a proof of our true selves, of a genuine national character that won’t tolerate dictatorial and corrupt leadership. This is what October 14, 1973 is supposed to mean, and is remembered for.
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