Peaceful Protesters Commemorate 88th anniversary of the bloodless revolution

Dozens of pro-democracy activists gathered at the Democracy Monument last week to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the bloodless June 24 revolution by re-enacting one of Thailand’s most decisive moments.

Police officers had Royal Plaza under close watch as protester began to arrive at the symbolic roundabout on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

as peaceful protesters started to arrive they set up the stage to recreate the reading done  88 years ago called the Promoters’ manifesto.

Some protestors wore period costumes of the Khana Ratsadon, or People’s Party, which led the revolt.

In February of 1927, a group of seven Siamese students, later known as the “promoters”, met at a hotel on the Rue Du Sommerard in Paris and founded what would become Khana Ratsadon. For five days they met and proposed arguments for and against various aspects of the movement, the men were:

1. Lieutenant Prayoon Pamornmontri, Army officer, formerly of King Vajiravudh’s Royal Guards

2. Lieutenant Plaek Khittasangkha, later Luang Phibulsonggram, Army officer, student, School of Applied Artillery, France

3. Lieutenant Thatsanai Mitphakdi, Army officer, student, French Cavalry Academy

4. Tua Lophanukrom, a scientist studying in Switzerland

5. Luang Siriratchamaitri, diplomat, an officer at the Siamese Embassy in Paris

6. Naep Phahonyothin, a law student studying in England

7. Pridi Banomyong, a law student studying at the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris

They followed these Six principles:

The revolutionaries made Pridi Panomyong their president and termed themselves the “promoters” (Thai: ผู้ก่อการ; RTGS: Phu Ko Kan). The party determined a sixfold objective which was later called the “Six Principles” (Thai: หลักหกประการ; RTGS: Lak Hok Prakan), as follows:

1. To maintain the supreme power of the Thai people.

2. To maintain national security.

3. To maintain the economic welfare of the Thai people in accordance with the National Economic Project.

4. To protect the equality of the Thai people.

5. To maintain the people’s rights and liberties, insofar as they are not inconsistent with any of the above-mentioned principles.

6. To provide public education for all citizens.

Legacy

The party was eventually successful in their goal of revolution by a bloodless coup. By 1933 they had turned Siam into a single-party state. However, the party itself was short-lived, due to infighting as the party had too many factions, conflicting interests, and political beliefs. The party eventually divided into two factions, a civilian faction led by Pridi Bhanomyong, and a military faction led by Marshal Pibulsongkram.

They would dominate Thai politics for the next two decades, producing six Prime Ministers of Thailand from their ranks. The party declined at about the time the Second World War ended.

“On June 24th, 88 years ago was the last day of the absolute monarchy, the dawn of democracy,” rights lawyer Arnon Nampa noted of the event.

The protesters in the end were allowed to project a hologram of the 1932 declaration onto a raised canvas. It included a scene portraying Khana Ratsadon leader Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena reading the statement.

Later, police warned attendees they would be arrested if they violated the law – this was most likely due to the Emergency decree and not for any other reason, they peacefully left as instructed by police.

source: Coconuts Bangkok, Wikipedia, Democracy Group Facebook

Photo: Democracy Restoration Group / Facebook, Wiki

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