Representatives of government and opposition parties, parliament, courts of justice, political activists and members of the public gathered at Thammasat University today (Friday) to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the October 6th massacre.
46 people, mostly students, were killed and several others injured by police, right-wing “Red Guar” extremists and village scouts, according to official statistics. Unofficial reports, however, claim that as many as 100 demonstrators may have been killed. The violence drove many students into the jungles, to join the then outlawed Communist Party of Thailand.
A merit-making ceremony, attended by 19 monks, was held on campus to pay homage to those who died. A poem, in remembrance of them, was read at the ceremony by the president of the Thammasat University Student Union.
Former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who attended the event along with other party members, said that, 47 years on, the real truth of the tragic event still remains elusive, adding that such an tragedy will not be repeated.
Other participants included acting Pheu Thai party leader Chousak Sirinil, deputy House speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan, Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, Democrat spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng, Progressive Group spokesperson Pannika Wanich and Nutthawut Saikua.
