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Published on February 22, 2008

The Democrats will submit an interpolation during the next House meeting to demand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej explain his role in the October 1976 student massacre, MP Thepthai Senpong said yesterday.

Thepthai said although Samak insisted he was not involved, evidence had shown otherwise.

He said Samak met the late dictator Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, who was then a novice monk in Singapore, before Thanom returned to Thailand and prompted student activists to protest, according to the testimony of a lawyer to a court.

The lawyer, Charn Kaewchoosai, worked for Sutham Saengprathum, former secretary-general of the Centre of Students of Thailand, he said.

"I will file an interpolation for Samak to prove himself in the next House meeting," Thepthai said.

Samak swore in Parliament yesterday that if he was involved in the 1976 fatal crackdown on protesters at Thammasat University, he would be damned.

Thepthai said he also had a photograph to prove Samak was involved.

He said Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung should not have distorted the incident from an ideological battle by saying it was an accident, and that Samak should apologise to the people to prevent causing more conflicts in the country.

Thepthai tried to ask Samak about the issue before the end of the session on the government's policies on Wednesday night, causing chaos in the meeting.

House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat then asked Thepthai to submit the interpolation next week. Samak said he would answer the motion by himself.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said the October 6 incident should not have been used as political tool -

no matter how many people died.

Discussion of the issue now should focus on the lessons and prevention of rifts in society, Surapong said.

He and Samak welcomed a fresh educational approach to the history that led to October 6 1976 - but from all angles.

"We don't want to see such hurt and wounds in Thailand anymore," Surapong said.

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation