Background
Since the overthrow of the Siam monarchy in 1932, the Thai military has dominated
Thailand's unstable government. On October 14, 1973, more than one hundred students
protesting military rule at Thammasat University were killed by government forces, resulting
in the appointment of a prime minister and a brief period of parliamentary democracy. In
October 1976, the military forcefully regained control of the government, polarizing the
country politically and strengthening the Thai democratic movement which protested elitist
military rule, U.S. government and military involvement in Thailand, and human rights
violations.
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