Commemorating Hok Tulaa Massacre

On this anniversary of Thailand's student uprising on 6 October 1976 and the subsequent violent crackdown, I am paying homage to student movements whose idealism and passion for change and social justice have continuously been subjected to suppression (often violent) by the government, in the name of fighting communism, terrorism or whatever the reason of the day to legitimise force against youth.

The right wing government and elites at the time supported the violence conducted towards the students, which not only included beatings and shootings but also public lynching of "communists" and setting fire to their bodies.

The student groups are absent in this current political crisis which pins one right-wing group against another right-wing group. Individual students are now joining the existing factions, either choosing to side with the pro-Crown PAD or the pro-Thaksin PPP instead of being that cohesive, organised and crucial 3rd voice, the voice of resistance calling for reform.

Here are some clips of former PM Samak and his complete lunacy, both in general and when discussing the massacre specifically. Samak recently had to give up his PM post as his cooking show on national television was in breach of the constitution. Nevertheless, the frightening statements which he makes exemplify that there is still a fight to be fought.