Black May or Bloody May ( Thai : พฤษภา ทมิฬ) - the tragic events of May 17-20, 1992 in Thailand , when a crowd of thousands gathered in the streets of Bangkok , demanding to remove the self-proclaimed Prime Minister Suchindu Kraprayun from the government. In clashes with the police, more than 50 people died, more than 200 were injured [1] .
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The overthrow of Junhavan and the creation of NPKC
On February 23, 1991, after a decade of relatively calm development of the country under civilian governments (during the premiership of Prem Tinsulanon (1980–1988) and Chatchai Chunkhavan (1988–1991)), another coup was put under the command of General Sunton Kongsompong in Thailand . The military announced the creation of a special council for "peacekeeping" - the National Peace Keeping Council or NPKC. After a short time, the power in the council passed into the hands of General Sucinda Kraprayun . At first, the majority of the urban population was optimistic about the news of the coup, hoping for a quick curbing of government corrupt officials (during the premiership of Chatchay Chunghavan, Thailand was shaken by numerous corruption scandals). About half of the print media also appreciated the military’s plan to eradicate corrupt officials.
Immediately after the proclamation of the NPKC, an investigation was launched about the origin of the inexplicable wealth of a number of prominent politicians. At the same time, the NPKC began to prepare its own version of the Constitution, in which it established an election procedure in which only 45% of the deputies were to be elected by the people, and the rest were appointed by the government, actually ruled by Suchinda. This was the reason for the start of mass demonstrations against the next junta and dictatorship [2] .
Thai intellectuals discontent and new elections
On March 2, 1991, the junta, under pressure from a public protest, appointed a civilian as prime minister - Anand Panyarachuna. However, this only for a short time softened the mood of the urban intelligentsia and students. As soon as the holidays ended, the political life in the university environment began to seethe with a new force. On November 19, 1991, a 50,000-strong crowd gathered on the royal field of Sanam Luang , demanding the return of the Constitution to action. On December 4, in his annual televised address to the nation, King Rama IX, Phumipon Adulyadej, asked not to allow violence, and also not to provoke military authority to violence. But the nation after the premiership Prema no longer wanted the power of the military junta. Suchinda was forced to announce the general election, which took place on March 22, 1992 [3] .
Suchinda Kraprayun’s Power Capture
On April 7, 1992, Suchinda announced himself a new prime minister. On May 4, 1992, the mayor of Bangkok, despite the introduction of censorship by Sukindoi, published an article in which he stated in a polemical form of address to Suchinda that until his death he would fight against dictatorship and achieve the removal of Sucinda, who had usurped power. This appeal, in spite of the urgent censure of censorship, reprinted 4 more editions, including the leading Thai-language publication Tai Rath, which had previously supported Suchindu. Evening news releases, despite these events, did not even mention this fact. Indignant Thais came out with protests on the streets of Bangkok [2] .
In Bangkok, mass demonstrations began, led by the mayor of Bangkok, popular among citizens. Further events on May 17-24 in Bangkok were called “black May” or “bloody May”. During the clashes, part of the army and police refused to obey an order to shoot at a 200-thousand crowd, the other part obeyed. 52 people were killed, several hundred were injured. This was preceded by the actions of democratic youth: in the middle of May, student activists announced a concert rally in defense of democracy in Bangkok, but Suchchinda banned the concert. The mayor of Bangkok supported the youth. Then Suchinda declared a curfew and forbade the gathering of more than 10 people. This led to the fact that on May 17 a crowd of many thousands began to fill the center of the city. The rally did not stop all night. On the buildings of the city appeared graffiti with curses to the new prime minister. Suchinda sent 700 soldiers to the center of Bangkok to disperse the rally. By the end of the day on May 18, over 50 thousand people remained at the rally. The mayor of Bangkok was arrested. Protesters confronted the police: threw bottles at barricades. At the Monument of Democracy, the police opened fire on the crowd of protesters [4] .
Results of the Bloody May 1992
On May 18 and 20, members of the royal family appealed to the population on television, asked the protesters to disperse, and the police to stop shooting. Rama IX was forced to hold an audience of Suchinda and the mayor of Bangkok live, during which the king demanded that Suchinda release the mayor from arrest, release 3,500 arrested protesters and resign himself. On June 10, 1992, Anand Panyarachun was elected Prime Minister. Despite the huge number of victims, Suchinda did not bear any responsibility other than political [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 A. Kulikov. Thailand: an essay on the political history of modern time. - Moscow: IGUMO and IT, 2011.
- ↑ 1 2 David van Praagh. Thailand's Struggle for Democracy. - UK: Holmes & Meier, 1996.
- ↑ McCargo D. Chamlong Srimuang and the New Thai Politics. - Hurst & Co, 1997.
- ↑ Murray D. Angels and Devils. - UK: White Orchid Press, 1996.