Black May (1992)

Black May
Protesters and the military
Native nameพฤษภาทมิฬ
LocationBangkok, Thailand
Date17–20 May 1992 (1992-05-20)
Attack type
Crackdown and mass shooting
WeaponsM16 rifle, HK33, pistol
Deaths52 deaths and 175 disappearances (Thai officials)
100+ (medical volunteers)
Injured696
VictimThai anti-military regime protesters
Perpetrators
ConvictionsNo conviction by amnesty decree

Black May (Thai: พฤษภาทมิฬ; RTGSPhruetsapha Thamin), also known as "Bloody May", was a series of mass protests and subsequent crackdowns by security forces and police in Bangkok in May 1992. A rally of over 200,000 people led by Chamlong Srimuang was held on 17 May, caused by the extending of the military regime of Suchinda Kraprayoon, the 1991 Thai coup d'état leader. An estimated 52 to 100 protesters were killed, 696 were injured, and 175 had "disappeared" afterwards. King Bhumibol Adulyadej summoned both Chamlong and Suchinda on 20 May, and the Suchinda regime later received a sweeping amnesty along with other law reforms, signed by Bhumibol.