[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THAILAND, A BEACON OF HOPE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago today the people of Thailand 
stood up and threw out a military dictatorship and created a nation 
built on the rule of laws and not of men.
  It was a painful turning point in Thai history. Seventy-three people 
were killed and nearly a thousand were injured calling for their God 
given rights, demonstrating for democracy, political pluralism and the 
rule of law. The people of Thailand led the way in a region that was, 
and to this day still is, ruled by corrupt dictatorships.
  Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma have not changed much. Most of 
these nation's dictators are linked to illicit drug production and all 
of them have no intention of permitting the expression of any political 
pluralism or the rule of law. To this day, Thailand is still a beacon 
of hope for thousands who flee from these repressive rulers.
  The Karen and the Karenni whose nations were absorbed into Burma, the 
Hmong who are repressed by the Pathet Lao, the Montagards and other 
ethnic minorities and hill tribes pursued by the Vietnamese, all of 
them have taken refuge at one time or another in the free and 
democratic Kingdom of Thailand.
  Thailand's People's Constitution was adopted in 1997 but was born 
from the blood that was shed in demonstrations 25 years ago today in 
Bangkok and all across the country involving some 500,000 people. Today 
we mourn and pay respect for Thailand's heroes who gave their lives for 
their nation and the greater good of all it people.
  The United States remembers you, your nation loves you and the 
repressed people of the region who take refuge within your borders 
thank you from the bottom of their hearts.

                          ____________________