Thailand’s 6 October 1976 Incident Remembered

BANGKOK, Oct 6 (TNA), Relatives and representatives of those killed during the massacre on October 6, 1976 at Bangkok’s Thammasat University campus on Sunday offered alms to 19 monks in memory of their loved ones who had lost their lives during the bloody fighting. Alms were given to monks by several groups of people inside the campus of the university where many university students died and wounded during the clash with vocational students and armed forces 37 years ago. Wreaths were also laid while farmer and labour representatives hailed those killed during the fighting to upkeep democracy in the kingdom. Thammasat University’s vice rector Udom Rathamarit said the university would continue to “restore the determination of heroes” and to also publicise to the public on freedom, solidarity and to democratise the Thai society in which everybody enjoys equal rights. The bloody fighting on October 6, 1976 occurred after students from several universities demonstrated against the return to Thailand from exile of former military dictator and prime minister Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. Field Marshal Thanom was ousted from power during the student uprising between October 13 and 14, 1973. (TNA)