Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Monday) praised students and members of the public who stood up against a military dictatorship to fight for democracy 46 years ago on the anniversary of the 1973 student-led uprising.
Representatives of the government and opposition parties, the private and government sectors, and relatives of those who were killed by troops on that fateful day, attended the ceremony at the October 14 Memorial on Bangkok’s Rajdamnoen Avenue.
The Prime Minister did not attend the event in person, but assigned Mr. Natthachai Srirungsookphinit, an advisor at the PM’s Office, to represent him.
In the Prime Minister’s message, which was read by Mr. Natthachai, he described the October 14th uprising as an important event in Thai political history, which reflected the will and power of students and the people, who recognized the value of democracy as vital for the development of the country.
Continuing, he said the event led to the development of public participation, which is the foundation of democratic rule.
The memorial event started at 8.30 am with multidenominational religious ceremonies, followed by the laying of wreaths in front of the memorial statue, erected in memory of those who died in in 1973.
Representing the Parliament President, Mr. Ong-art Klampaibul of the Democrat party said that October 14th 1973 showed that, whenever there is a misrule and widespread injustice inflicted by those in power, the people will rise up in revolt.
