Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.tu.ac.th
;
2 Th Phra Chan; Tha Phra Chan)
Much of the drama that followed Thailand's trans-
ition from monarchy to democracy has unfolded on this quiet riverside campus. Tham-
masat University was established in 1934, two years after the bloodless coup that deposed
the absolute monarchy. Its remit was to instruct students in law and political economy,
considered to be the intellectual necessities for an educated democracy.
The university was founded by Dr Pridi Phanomyong, whose statue stands in Pridi
Court at the centre of the campus. Pridi was the leader of the civilian People's Party that
successfully advocated a constitutional monarchy during the 1920s and '30s. He went on
to serve in various ministries, organised the Seri Thai movement (a Thai resistance cam-
paign against the Japanese during WWII) and was ultimately forced into exile when the
postwar government was seized by a military dictatorship in 1947.
Pridi was unable to counter the dismantling of democratic reforms, but the university he
established continued his crusade. Thammasat was a hotbed of pro-democracy activism
during the student uprising era of the 1970s. On 14 October 1973, an estimated 10,000
protesters convened on the parade grounds beside the university's Memorial Building de-
manding the government reinstate the constitution. From the university the protest grew
and moved to the Democracy Monument, where the military and police opened fire on the
crowd, killing 77 and wounding 857. The massacre prompted the king to revoke his sup-
port of the military rulers and for a brief period a civilian government was reinstated. On 6
October 1976, Thammasat itself was the scene of a bloody massacre, when at least 46 stu-
dents were shot dead while rallying against the return from exile of former dictator Field
Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. Near the southern entrance to the university is the Bodhi
Court, where a sign beneath the Bodhi tree explains more about the democracy movement
that germinated at Thammasat.
Walk north from the Tha Phra Chan pier and you'll go straight through Thammasat,
emerging near Th Phra Athit in Banglamphu.
SARANROM ROYAL GARDEN
(bounded by Th Ratchini, Th Charoen Krung & Th Sanam Chai; 5am-9pm; Tha Tien)
F
Easily mis-
taken for a European public garden, this Victorian-era green space was originally designed
as a royal residence in the time of Rama IV. After Rama VII (King Prajadhipok; r
1925-35) abdicated in 1935, the palace served as the headquarters of the People's Party,
the political organisation that orchestrated the handover of the government. The open
space remained and in 1960 was opened to the public.
PARK
