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Published on January 30, 2008

Former student leaders and academics affected by the October 6, 1976, massacre feel uneasy about the ap-pointment of Samak Sundaravej as the new prime minister.

In the mid-to-late 70s, Samak was a rightist conservative and an overt supporter of the violent suppression measures that led to the death of at least 41 left-wing students and activists in arguably the darkest chapter in modern Thai history.

In those days, Samak adhered to the idea that democracy led to chaos.

"I must be frank and say that Samak hasn't changed that much. What has changed is the situation," said Chulalongkorn University historian Suthachai Yimprasert, co-author of a fact-finding book on the 1976 incident and a former student activist. "Over the past year or so, there was a coup and Samak ended up standing against it. It's unbelievable."

The brutal crackdown in 1976 led to the lynching of left-leaning students and activists and eventually caused thousands to flee to the jungle to join the now-defunct Communist Party of Thailand.

However, despite his misgivings, Suthachai said he was willing to wait and see if Samak restores democracy or becomes a threat to it.

The academic, then a Thammasat University undergraduate student, fled into the jungles shortly after scores of his friends were killed. He suggested that Samak annul the junta-sponsored 2007 Constitution along with many of the laws passed by the outgoing Surayud regime.

"Samak's duty now is to revive democracy. It's impossible for me to say I trust him, but I hope he will remove all signs of the military junta."

Others like Vipa Daomanee, another former student activist turned academic, are convinced that Samak is bad news for democracy. She accused Samak of inciting violence and being responsible for the deaths in 1976.

"He won't change," Vipa said. "Sometimes the elite have problems amongst themselves. But they do not believe in equality for all."

Even more disillusioned by the latest political twist is Thammasat University historian Thanet Apornsuwan, who said he did not trust either side in the ongoing political struggle.

"[Samak] didn't change. But the definition of 'democracy' is now extended to protect the interests of capitalist groups. Surely, Samak is defending this kind of democracy," Thanet said, adding that the military ought to realise that Samak was not against it.

"I don't feel anything [about Samak as the new premier]. After the September 19 coup, much of my belief in the democratic process was destroyed. We're being forced down a narrow path with no exit or choice," Thanet said. "I don't like any of the groups [both pro or anti-Thaksin] and so I don't know who to cry for."

Pravit Rojanaphruk

 The Nation