The “October spirit” and Thailand’s slow democratic transition

Every October in Thailand, public events are held to remember the two massacres of anti-dictatorship protesters by state forces that took place half a century ago.

Experts say that, while the spirit of the “October Movement” remains strong, it has not succeeded in changing social and political structures that led to the bloody events of October 14^th, 1973, and October 6^th, 1976.

“I have hardly seen any change in Thailand’s political structure … The military still wields strong political influence. It also seems ready to intervene in politics at any time,” said Somchai Homlaor, advisor to the Cross-Cultural Foundation, which seeks justice for victims of human rights abuses at the hands of authorities.

Somchai is a veteran of the student activities which led to the October 14^th popular uprising and crackdown and the October 6^th massacre.

The lack of structural changes in…