- Title: Thai survivors "still haunted" by university massacre 44 years ago
- Date: 6th October 2020
- Summary: 23-YEAR-OLD STUDENT TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 23-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, THANTARA SRISERM, SAYING: "Now we are repeating history. This coming October 14 is likely to be the same as in 1976. I'm worried that it might turn violent like it did (in 1976), but it might also be less (violent) as these days, we (the people) have smartphones that we can film and share things quickly. H
- Embargoed: 20th October 2020 08:56
- Keywords: Bangkok Thailand Thammasat anniversary crackdown history massacre politics student protests university
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA005CYZN8ZR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thais on Tuesday (October 6) paid respect to victims of a 1976 massacre of pro-democracy students by state forces as the recent surge in student-led protests gave new resonance to memories of that bloody day.
As people laid flowers at the Thammasat University monument, 64-year-old survivor Wichian Visutanakon recalled the bloodshed.
"The woman I helped had cheeks that had fallen off. The bloodstains on my pants, the pain my friends and I felt when we were beaten up still haunt me," he said. "The worst is those people who commit those crimes are still proud and don't regret their actions."
On October 6, 1976, state forces and royalist mobs attacked a group of about 2,000 students inside Thammasat University in Bangkok and hanged, shot or beat to death dozens, accusing them of sympathizing with revolutions sweeping through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos at the time.
This year's memorial ceremony drew younger sympathisers after nearly three months of street protests against the government, with some protesters also calling for reforms to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
"I'm worried that it might turn violent like it did (in 1976), but it might also be less (violent) as these days, we (the people) have smartphones that we can film and share things quickly," said 23-year-old student Thantara Sriserm.
The anti-government protests are the biggest challenge in years to a ruling establishment long dominated by the army and the powerful monarchy. As the protests gather pace, campaigners who seek reforms have planned a major demonstration on Oct. 14.
(Production: Artorn Pookasook, Jiraporn Kuhakan) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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