Thais urged to join national reform

BANGKOK, October 14 (TNA) - Thai people have been invited to join national reform, which paves the way for true democracy in the country. Presiding over an event to mark the October 14, 1973 popular uprising on behalf of Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office ML Panadda Diskul encouraged Thai people to join national reform plans. Relatives of pro-democracy people killed on the uprising day and the Thai government jointly organized the event to remember the event at the October 14, 1973 Memorial on Khok Wua Intersection on Tuesday morning. ML Panadda laid a garland and delivered a speech to honor all heroic demonstrators in the uprising incident, calling on Thai people to praise the protesting heroes for their movements for the sake of good governance and democracy in the uprising. The minister said Thai people had experienced many crises because they were increasingly fighting to achieve constructive and participatory democracy that would finally promote unity. The minister called for the development of democracy that will not cause division and is not only verbal, but also brings about happiness, prosperity and empathy in the Thai society as intended by the October 14, 1973 heroic demonstrators. Representatives of several groups and agencies showed up in the event, including Surachai Liengboonlertchai, Vice President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Amara Pongsapich, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and relatives of the heroic demonstrators, who also called for the development of true democracy in Thailand. There are activities to mark the October 14, 1973 uprising all day long on Tuesday, namely religious ceremonies and a discussion on the uprising and ongoing national reform, held at Thammasat University's Tha Phrachan Campus. (TNA)