Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol. 40 Number 4. March 21 1977

Participation in politics. Fight for Democracy

Participation in politics. Fight for Democracy.

Along with the development of Vietnam war, the American furthered their invasion in Thailand and the military junta also tightened their oppressive control. In their social practice, they have experienced many discontents and under the influence of western education and American democratic ideas, they opened fire on the tyrannical order.

In Oct. 1973, the National Students Centre of Thailand, NSCT, organised a "Constitutional Group". They went into the masses to publicize democractic thinking and demanded the three dictators headed by Thanom to set up a permanent constitution immediately. On 6th Oct. twelve active members of the constitutional group (including students, professors, reporters and ex-senators of parliament) were arrested under the accusation of "violating public security and attempting to overthrow the government". The protests from NSCT were given no effective answers. The NSCT then organised large-scale rallies and demonstrations in the campuses and demanded the government should release the arrested without conditions immediately. On 14 Oct. 400,000 students and masses all over the country gathered in Bangkok to demonstrate. Yet the military government replied with bullets. The military government mobilized tanks and slaughtered more than 70 persons. Yet in the roars of the people, there were serious splits within the ruling elite. At last, Thanom, Praprass and Narong were ousted from Thailand.

The victories gained in this "Fight for democracy and constitution campaign" made the Thai students deepen their concerns with the country and nurtured a sense of responsibility to society. The victories gained further encouraged them to participate more actively in politics and to probe for an ideal in their social practices.