Students were credited with leading the 1973 uprising against a dictatorial government, and they have been involved in street protests from time to time since that momentous occasion, most notably in 1976 and 1992.
A large group of university and college students are now taking part in the anti-government rally by the red shirts - and they have their reasons for doing so.
They want to see the perceived double standards in society done away with and want to join a fight for "true democracy" in the Kingdom.
"I hope one day the dark influence will disappear from Thai society and then there will be true democracy,'' said Suphang Rattanasathean, 17.
Vissarut Bunya, from Ramkhamhaeng University, said he had joined the red shirts' rally because he wanted to see genuine democracy in Thailand.
He blamed political dominance by the elite - called ammart by the red shirts - for the lack of knowledge that grass-roots' people have about some aspects of democracy.
Vissarut also expressed opposition to the heavy presence of soldiers in Bangkok, which he said was "not necessary" for a generally peaceful demonstration. ''Many groups call for peace, but that should apply to the authorities, too. I think there far more military officers than is necessary.''
Tee, a student from Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science who also works for the Students Federation of Thailand, blasted what he viewed as political intervention by the ammart, which he said had led to the voice of grass-roots people being ignored.
"Students have different political views. But now the majority of the Students Federation of Thailand agrees with the red shirts' way," he said.
A Thai Youth Democracy Organisation (TYDO) has been set up by a group of students from Ramkhamhaeng and Rajabhat universities who share the same political opinions.
The new student group's representatives take turns to appear at the red shirts' main protest site to express their opinions about how Thailand can attain genuine democracy and social justice.
Ramkhamhaeng University student Surat Kaewnetre, 21, who is a TYDO member, called for dissolution of the House of Representatives. He said the red shirts would respect the result of the ensuing general election and would not hold further protests, whichever political party emerged victorious.
Amarin Sutas na Ayudhya, an 18-year-old student, said he believed students were an important force in politics that could bring about social change.
"The power of students is very important for the political system. We are a new generation that can help improve our society. So we have to keep abreast of current affairs, especially political news," he said.
