RIOTS IN BANGKOK Thai Government resigns

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33356, 15 October 1973, Page 15

RIOTS IN BANGKOK Thai Government resigns

< N.Z . P 4 -Reuter— Copyright > BANGKOK, October 14. The Thai Government had submitted its resignation to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, an official announcement made over Radio Thailand said today. 1 he Government of Field-Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, which took power in a coup d’etat in November, 1971 abolished Thailand’s Constitution, and its slow progress toward a new one was the centre of protests that erupted into battles between students and police and troops today, the Associated Press reports.

The king has appointed Dr Sanya Thamsakdi. rector of Thammasat University, to form a new Government.

During the day, tens of thousands of rioting students clashed with troops and police using tanks and tear-gas in fierce battles in central Bangkok and at least four large buildings were reported to be ablaze.

Policemen armed with machine-guns cut down at least 15 students, killing three instantly, including a girl of about seven. The violence broke out after a week of peaceful demonstrations against the Government.

Student demonstrators, reacting to an earlier shooting before dawn of five students —in which three girls are reported to have died—charged

had ransacked the Government public relations building near Thammasat University, the headquarters of the protesters.

About 200 policemen armed with machine guns fired down out of windows of the tax building next door, hitting at least 15 students.

Thousands of demonstrators and onlookers surrounded the scene as about 200 student commandos, armed with clubs and petrol, tried to set fire to the tax building.

The Government broadcast pleas for blood donations ar '. told residents of the , neighbourhood to stay indoors. It imposed a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. In the midst of the crisis, King Bhumibol, aged 46, has retained support and loyalty from all sides. Students carried his portrait and sang hymns in his praise as they marched more than 100,000

strong through Bangkok yesterday, joined by as many adults.

Treason charges The violence grew out of a week-long campaign for the immediate implementation of a new Constitution and the release of 13 dissidents imprisoned on charges of treason eight days ago. Local newspapers reported similar demonstrations in cities across the country.

Yesterday’s mass march through Bangkok drew more than 200,000 students and onlookers, and the Government reacted by freeing' the 13 unconditionally and promising a new Constitution next October, instead of February, U 76.

Some students ignored their leaders orders to disperse after the announcement of the Government concessions, saying that one year was too long to wait. Thailand has been without a Constitution since November, 1971, when the present military Government took power.