On 18 May 2008, the Democratic Heroes Foundation together with the Confederation for Democracy held a forum entitled “16 years after Black May1992: Anti-Dictatorship Movement toward Democracy” at the Rattanakosin hotel, attended by around 400 people. At 1.00 pm, the leader of the Confederation for Democracy held a press briefing in response to remarks made by General Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on 17 May at Santiporn Park. Gen Chamlong had said that the current political situation is in crisis and that the amendment of the 2007 Constitution is one of the factors that will lead to another coup d’état. 

Dr. Weng Tojirakarn stated that the remarks coming from Gen Chamlong showed that he is pro-dictatorship and a person who lacks idealism. He also called on Chamlong to stop agitating for a coup d’état to happen because the people will not allow it and will counter it to the same extent as in May 1992. It was illegitimate for the PAD or those involved in the 19 September 2006 coup d’état to hold commemorations of the May 1992 or October 1972/1976 incidents. If they are involved in supporting the 19 September coup, it means that they stand opposite to the spirit and ideals of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to end dictatorship’s rule. Dr. Weng also called for an end to the abuse of using democratic spirit as a tool.   

The leader of the Confederation for Democracy asked Gen Chamlong, as a member of the defunct National Legislative Assembly, if he knows that article 291 of the 2007 Constitution mentions that the constitution can be amended through the collection of 50,000 signatures from the people. Therefore the claim that an amendment to the constitution will lead to a coup is a similar to the boy who cried wolf. Constitutional amendment can happen as it is a legitimate right. The People’s Committee for Reforming the 2007 Constitution does not have the goal of tearing up the constitution since sections 1 and 2 will remain the same, whereas sections 3-15 will have to be amended as they are undemocratic. This amendment will be based on parliamentary procedure. However the amendment is an urgent matter as the constitution is the highest law of the country, which it is important that it is democratic.

Dr. Sant Hateerat, as the first leader of the Confederation for Democracy, said that the Confederation was established during the 1992 Black May incident to fight against military dictators at the time. It is a confederation of regular people. It is a pity according to him that only four remaining Committee members of the Confederation are still firm in fighting against dictatorship. The remaining three have transformed and revealed themselves as pro-dictatorship and they are currently agitating for a coup d’état to happen. The people cannot let this happen. He will not allow the Black May martyrs to sacrifice their lives for nothing.

Dr. Sant said that Mr. Chamlong took part in tearing up the 1997 constitution and supporting the dictatorial 2007 Constitution which wants to weaken democracy. Past coups d’état also show that the economic system of the country has been greatly damaged. The livelihood of the people is affected. This can mean that Mr. Chamlong does not want the country to progress.

Professor Prateep Ung-songtham Hata, the current Confederation leader said that 16 years after the Black May incident, the people’s struggle for democracy has created a strong government which can solve the problems of the poor. The action by Gen Chamlong to stir up the situation to call for another coup reveals his true self as pro-dictatorship. Chamlong is protecting the constitution which is full of traps such as illegitimate appointment process of the independent agencies and senators.

Professor Prateep said “This group of people wants to protect the interest of their own cliques so that they can be powerful politically, by using the monarchy as their tool to overthrow this government”.

Dr. Weng, the former Confederation leader, also stated that the action of Gen Chamlong shows his support for bureaucratic polity dictatorship. He would like to counter that while Gen Chamlong said the Thai people are not strong, it is Mr. Chamlong that is not strong. Currently the vast majority of the people have called for democracy, including an end to the 2007 constitution and the reinstatement of the 1997 constitution. The remarks by Gen Chamlong are disrespectful to the people and disrespectful to the sacrifice made by the May martyrs who died while fighting for democracy.

During the commemoration event, a group of participants brought documents outlining ways to counter the coup to distribute in the forum. Leaflets were also distributed which included information on “the Molotov cocktail against the revolutionaries”, which explains the features of a Molotov cocktail. However, the organizer of the panel said that they were not in anyway related to the leaflet.

Translated by Pokpong Lawansiri