Thammasat Holds Memorial for 50th Anniversary of 1976 Violence

BANGKOK — 6 October 2026, Thammasat University held a series of memorial events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 6 October 1976 violence, including a symbolic performance and the reading of the names of 42 people who died in the events. The memorial, organized by civil society groups and the 6 October remembrance network, began at around 05:30 at the university’s Tha Phra Chan campus. The opening performance, titled Nattakam Ramluek (Memorial Performance), began at Lan Pho before moving toward the football field. Performers marched to the beat of drums and used symbolic movements, while a large white cloth was spread across the grass. Artist and Silapatorn Award recipient Teerawat Mulvilai, known as Kage, and Sriburapha Award winner Sinsawat Yodbangtoey led participants in singing Phuea Muan Chon (For the People), with the crowd joining in. Colored smoke flares were then released as performers walked past the university’s main auditorium. Some performers lay on the ground beside bags containing red liquid, symbolically recreating scenes associated with locations where people were killed during the 1976 violence. The procession later gathered in front of the memorial dedicated to Thammasat and the 6 October 1976 events, where participants sang Saeng Dao Haeng Sattha (The Light of the Stars of Faith), written by political thinker and poet Jit Phumisak, and laid flowers in remembrance. The names of 42 people who died in the events were then read aloud. The event was attended by numerous academics, activists, former students and representatives of civil society, including Prof. Dr. Thongchai Winichakul, Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Prof. Dr. Tyrell Haberkorn, professor at the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Suthep Suriyamongkol, chairman of the Dome Ruam Jai Club; Kritsadang Nutcharat, known as Lawyer Dang, a human rights lawyer; Thanee Jiriyasin, owner of "Fame Video" and a former Thammasat University student and friend of Charupong Thongsin, who died during the 6 October events; Natchanon Phairoj, People’s Network for Political Rights (Thumb Rights); and Tantawan Tuatulanon, a political activist. The organizers also distributed free copies of the book "50 Years: The Legacy of 6 October" to registered participants. At around 07:30, participants took part in a merit-making ceremony with 19 monks from Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit, dedicating the merit to those who died in the events. During the ceremony, commemorative wreaths from individuals, organizations, agencies and political parties continued to arrive, including those from Anutin Charnvirakul, prime minister; the House of Representatives; Thai Lawyers for Human Rights; the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives; Friends of Bung–Netiporn Network; Progressive Movement; People’s Party; Chaturon Chaisaeng; Pheu Thai Party; Democrat Party; Thai Liberal Party; United Thai Nation Party; and Sachatham Party.