Thailand marks October 14 Revolt

BANGKOK, October 14 (TNA) - Thailand marks the 39th anniversary of an anti-junta revolt led by students in 1973, which ended in one of the deadliest bloodsheds in the country's history. Thousands mourned at the 14 October Memorial Sunday in Bangkok’s Rajchadamnoen Avenue. Buddhist alms-giving were held in tribute of the victims of the uprising, which helped topple the government of military strongman Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. Woravat Auapinyakul, minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, attended on behalf of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, while Kalaya Sophonphanit represented the main opposition Democrat Party. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, vice rector of Bangkok’s Thammasat University, said the October 14, 1973 incident had killed the most number of people demanding for democracy in Thai history. He said the bloodshed had won the people rights to political freedom, giving the country a democratic system on a sustainable basis. However, he said efforts were still needed to prevent similar bloodsheds in future, citing the May 2010 incident. (TNA)