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| Yellow Shirts (People's Alliance for Democracy) | |
|---|---|
| Name | People's Alliance for Democracy |
| Native name | สโมสรพันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Ideology | Royalism; Conservatism; Anti-corruption |
| Headquarters | Bangkok |
Yellow Shirts (People's Alliance for Democracy)
The People's Alliance for Democracy emerged in Thailand in 2005 as a political movement committed to opposing the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra, critiquing institutions associated with Thaksin Shinawatra such as Thai Rak Thai and later movements like United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, while aligning with monarchist figures linked to the Monarchy of Thailand and institutions like the Privy Council of Thailand. The movement mobilized urban elites, Bangkok middle classes, and provincial elites, staging high-profile occupations and alliances that intersected with events involving Constitution of Thailand (1997), Council for National Security (Thailand), and episodes connected to the 2006 Thai coup d'état and 2014 Thai coup d'état.
The movement traces roots to protests against Thaksin Shinawatra after controversies involving conglomerates such as Advanced Info Service and alleged conflicts linked to policies impacting Sirindhorn, drawing criticism from outlets like The Nation (Thailand) and Bangkok Post. Early formations included civic groups and political networks connected to actors from Social Action for Thailand, Palang Dharma Party veterans, business figures associated with Stock Exchange of Thailand, and local elites from provinces such as Chiang Mai and Songkhla. Influences included demonstrations surrounding the Constitution of Thailand (1997) reforms, public debates tied to the Erawan Shrine incidents, and alignments with royalist institutions like the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Leadership comprised public figures from media, business, and activist circles, with outspoken leaders interacting with personalities tied to Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, and other civic activists who had links to parties like Democrat Party (Thailand). Organizational structure was a coalition model uniting networks from Thai media, civil society organizations in Thailand, former Thai military officers, and provincial patronage networks. Coordination occurred through forums that involved representatives associated with institutions such as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, regional chambers of commerce represented at Ministry of Commerce (Thailand), and royalist elites with connections to the Privy Council of Thailand.
The movement articulated demands framed around anti-corruption narratives, opposition to perceived populist policies of Thaksin Shinawatra, and defense of the Monarchy of Thailand against what they portrayed as threats from populist politics. Ideological touchstones referenced constitutional mechanisms like the Constitution of Thailand (2007), appeals to institutions such as the Constitutional Court of Thailand, and calls for reforms echoing critics from Sapha Kan Plaeng Chart and activist groups aligned with conservative interpretations of Thai identity involving figures like Bhumibol Adulyadej and Maha Vajiralongkorn. Participants mobilized around policy disputes involving entities such as State-owned enterprises of Thailand, Telecommunications Authority of Thailand, and controversies over media ownership involving Thai Rath and Manager Daily.
Major actions included the 2006 rallies leading to the 2006 Thai coup d'état, the 2008 seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and sustained occupations of sites in central Bangkok that drew responses from institutions like the Royal Thai Police and the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Demonstrations engaged with national debates linked to the Constitutional Court of Thailand rulings that impacted parties like People's Power Party and Palang Pracharath Party; actors from the movement confronted opponents such as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship in street politics that recalled earlier episodes like protests surrounding 1992 Black May and later political crises including the 2010 Thai protests. International observers compared tactics to other protest movements involving occupations akin to those in Gezi Park protests or Occupy movement actions, while local responses involved interventions by institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.
The coalition maintained adversarial relations with Thai Rak Thai successors and fluctuating accommodations with parties such as the Democrat Party (Thailand), and at times coordinated indirectly with factions within the Royal Thai Armed Forces and constitutional actors including the Constitutional Court of Thailand and Senate of Thailand. The movement's interventions influenced judicial and parliamentary processes, intersecting with cases involving elected entities like People's Power Party and legislative episodes tied to the National Legislative Assembly (Thailand). Their actions prompted responses from executive actors including cabinets under leaders like Surayud Chulanont and affected policymaking in ministries such as the Ministry of Interior (Thailand).
Media portrayal varied across outlets: conservative newspapers such as Manager Daily and broadcasters sympathetic to royalist positions often provided favorable coverage, while outlets like The Nation (Thailand) and Bangkok Post presented mixed accounts; progressive commentators in platforms linked to Same Sky Publications criticized the movement's tactics. International press, including coverage referencing BBC News, The New York Times, and The Guardian, framed events in the context of Thai political instability, while civil society organizations like Human Rights Watch and the Asia Foundation documented clashes and rights concerns. Public opinion polls conducted by institutions like National Institute of Development Administration reflected polarized attitudes across urban constituencies in Bangkok and rural strongholds for Thaksin Shinawatra.
The movement reshaped Thailand's political landscape by contributing to cycles of protest, judicial intervention, and military involvement, influencing constitutional redesigns such as the Constitution of Thailand (2007) and subsequent charter debates culminating in the Constitution of Thailand (2017). Its legacy includes impacts on party realignments involving People's Power Party, the emergence of new coalitions like Palang Pracharath Party, and long-term polarization between royalist-aligned networks and populist factions associated with Pheu Thai Party and United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship. Scholars referencing analyses from universities like Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University examine the movement's role in debates about institutional checks involving the Constitutional Court of Thailand and the Privy Council of Thailand, and its influence endures in ongoing contestations over Thai political reform, civil liberties, and the balance among political actors.
Category:Politics of Thailand Category:Protests in Thailand