Is the appointed Senate integral to a regime of democracy? Should students enjoy the right not to wear uniforms? How about freedom of speech? Or assembly? At what point should fair criticism be taken as an insult to be punished by law, and when will street protests come to an end?
As Thailand struggles to regain political stability with a newly elected government in place following decades-long political conflict, questions about the role of democracy and individual rights loom large.
With the 50th anniversary of the Oct 14, 1973, popular uprising tomorrow, independent journalist Nualnoi Thammasathien thinks it is an opportune time to reflect on the historic event, which is considered a turning point towards democracy in Thailand.
"As a journalist, I have always been attuned to the passage of time, and 50 years -- half-a-century -- serves as a poignant milestone. The period of time ensures a continuum in the ongoing struggle for democracy ignited by that historic event -- values of democracy that continue to resonate with today's generation -- while acknowledging the fading memories and faces of those who lived through it," said Nualnoi, a former BBC reporter.
The Oct 14 uprising, led by university students and joined by hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, ended the rule of military dictatorship which had been in place from the tenure of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat in 1958 to Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn who took power in 1963 with no general election.
The government's crackdown on demonstrators resulted in 77 deaths and 857 injuries.
While the dead are hailed as heroes and most student leaders -- the so-called October Generation -- have gone on to make a name for themselves in various circles, what happened to the hundreds who were injured?
Joining hands with photojournalist Vinai Dithajohn, Nualnoi is preparing a photo exhibition to honour these unsung heroes.
A photo by Vinai Dithajohn that will be displayed at the October 14 monument. (Photos: Vinai Dithajohn)
The exhibition, to be displayed at the October 14 monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue during the commemorative event tomorrow and at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand from Tuesday to Oct 30, will bring into light the faces and stories of ordinary men and women who made the popular uprising possible.
They are people who were wounded or disabled but have seemingly been left behind in the shadows of history.
"It is a little ironic that those who were wounded or maimed are called 'victims of political events'. To me, these people who went out to demand democracy -- no matter how they viewed it -- are heroes about whom our society knows very little," Nualnoi said.
Due to the limited time and budget -- Nualnoi raised funds herself among friends to sponsor the project -- the exhibition will feature 10 everyday heroes out of 60 who are still alive.
Nualnoi said she understands that these people have remained nameless and unknown because they themselves lack the means to tell their stories.
Nualnoi Thammasathien and Vinai Dithajohn. (Photo: Nualnoi Thammasathien)
Some live in poverty. The Oct 14 "victims" were only compensated 33 years after the event during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration in 2006. Others lack an intellectual framework to make their stories compelling, or relevant, to the larger society and new generation.
"This may be the last chance for them to tell their stories as some are already in their 70s or 80s. Most of them cannot afford to join the annual commemorative event. Even if they did, they do not play a major role. They were probably given a few minutes to speak, received a wreath and then went their way," Nualnoi said.
She argued, however, that the nameless heroes are definitely part of the country's political history. It is thus a pity that their legacy will go unrecorded because they could not make themselves heard.
Photojournalist Vinai, well-known as a chronicler of Thailand's political conflicts and deep social issues, took the challenge of capturing the unsung spirit in all its complexity -- the wounds, the dignity, the suffering and the determination to push on despite the hardship -- in a series of black-and-white portraits.
"These are not realistic, news photos but photographic art to convey these people's life stories. They are tragic by all means. Some have had to endure wounds, physical as well as emotional, while others have lived with disabilities. But I don't intend the work to be sad. There is beauty in the tragedy, an unyielding heart and certain meaning in their lives which I tried to communicate via the photos," Vinai said.
When people think about the Oct 14 uprising, the pictures that usually come to mind are those that show a bird's-eye-view of the mass gathering at Democracy Monument, or faces of well-known student leaders, Vinai remarked.
"For the exhibition, we will bring the faces that appeared as little dots in historic pictures into focus. There are portraits of people who had legs amputated, who had been shot through the body, or those who lost their loved ones. I deliberately framed the portraits to emphasise their existence, their pain and sacrifice," Vinai said.
He learned to appreciate deeply the essence of humanity from the project.
Nualnoi Thammasathien and Vinai Dithajoh working with October 14 heroes for the photo exhibition.
"We humans seek freedom and equality but there are complex layers about those values, not just among people from different generations but even among those joining the same event. People who took part in the Oct 14 uprising may say they wanted democracy, but what the idea meant to each of them could differ significantly," Vinai observed.
In a nutshell, he felt that democracy or freedom are usually interpreted differently among different groups of people.
This fragmentation seems to hold true whether back in October 1973 or in the present when deep-rooted conflicts such as those about the constitution and other political apparatus are still rumbling in the background. Nualnoi also draws inspiration from the spirit of the nameless heroes who fought for what they believed was right even though the results were wounds or disabilities that they would have to carry for life.
"They were in their prime, 18 or 20, at that time. Most of them were not well-off. Some were not politically savvy even. But their spirit was magnificent. They would say they had to support the students who were leading the protest. When asked if they had any regrets, they said no. They simply had to contribute to the fight," Nualnoi said.
She wishes society would recognise the spirit of these ordinary people as part of the country's prolonged struggle for democracy.
"Some people may think there is a long distance between now and then. Some asked me why I am still interested in an event 50 years ago. I was quite startled. For me, the Oct 14 uprising set a new course for Thailand's modern politics. It marked the first time that ordinary people joined forces to show their power," Nualnoi said.
For the veteran journalist, the notion that each and every one of us can be part of this people's movement to bring change to the country's politics is empowering.
"I would like the exhibition to be food for thought. The country may not be fully democratic today but the struggle and the spirit, which has been handed down from generation to generation, will go on," she said.
