This Friday will be the 47th anniversary of the gruesome October 6, 1976 massacre, remembered for the violent, inhumane killings authorized by the ruling government against the pro-democratic movement, mostly made up of university students. 

 

Despite the human rights violations, the perpetrators have gone unpunished and the incident itself is barely covered in Thai history books. Tomorrow is a chance to remember and learn more about the realities of the massacre through exhibitions and stories told by witnesses.

 

 

From 7am onwards in front of the Grand Auditorium Hall at Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan campus), visitors can place flowers in remembrance of the lost lives from the October 6,1976 massacre. To minimize the waste, the university urges attendees to use flowers and other small plants instead of large wreaths and bouquets.

 

 

 

 

Moving on from the Grand Auditorium, Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan campus) is also screening a documentary, “Tang Kwam Kit Pid Tueng Tai,” meaning “Difference in Opinion Leads to Death.” The film will be shown at Sri Burapha Auditorium at 12:30 pm. 

 

 

 

Since Thammasat was where most of the killings took place, this year the university will host an immersive “Walking Tour '' recounting what actually happened at locations around campus. The speakers are survivors of the massacre and will be sharing their firsthand stories throughout the tour. Click here to register.

 

Keeping with the line up of events at Thammasat University, from 6:10pm onwards, there will be a performance by the TU Drama club in front of the Grand Auditorium. This theatrical play will be covering the political conflicts that led up to October 6th. 

 

 

 

Organized by the Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU), the exhibition “In Memory of October 6” compiles evidence of the unpunished criminals behind this tragedy, with information courtesy of TUSU, TU Political Parody, Museum of Popular History, and iLaw. The exhibition is located at SC1 Hall, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus) and is open for viewing from today until October 14, 2023. 

 

“112 the legacy of October 6” is a poignant exhibition displaying the history and misuse of the lèse-majesté law (also known as section 112). After the October 6 massacre, punishments went from 7 years to 3-15 years. The law has been a lightning rod for protests around Bangkok in recent years. Those who want to support the organizers can purchase T-shirts with prints of the victims sanctioned by this law. 

 

 

 

In Nakhon Pathom, the Faculty of Arts (philosophy and sociology department) and the Student Organization of Silpakorn University invites those who are interested in learning about the vicious cycle of Thai politics and how a difference in opinion was demoralized and weaponized. Other discussions cover the topics of “art and politics” and “university students in relation to current political activism.”