October 14 Memorial

Lonely Planet review

A peaceful amphitheatre commemorates the civilian demonstrators who were killed on 14 October 1973 by the military during a rally. Over 200,000 people assembled at the Democracy Monument and along the length of Th Ratchadamnoen to protest against the arrest of political campaigners & continuing military dictatorship. More than 70 demonstrators were killed when the tanks met the crowd. The complex is an interesting adaptation of Thai temple architecture for a secular & political purpose.

A central chedi is dedicated to the fallen and a gallery of historic photographs lines the interior wall. The stalled redevelopment of Th Ratchadamnoen Klang called for a museum to be created in the underground portion of the amphitheatre.