The Rise of Conservative and the Decline of Liberal Fractions in the Anti-Thaksin Movement

Abstract

This article discusses findings from the author’s research on the dynamics of anti-Thaksin movement from 2005-2014. It draws from narratives of “liberal” and “conservative” proponents and illustrates how their practices are intertwined with the movement’s ideologies and strategies. During its initial stage, the movement’s inclusive campaign issues and strategies had drawn support from “liberal” proponents who then played crucial roles in mass mobilisation at local levels. However, the more conservative-oriented campaigns had later succeeded in engaging proponents of royalism, nationalism and religious moralism. The author discusses how these conservative groups have gradually developed from rank-and-file participants to becoming a majority and dominant fraction within the movement. Although the “liberals” might have shown resentment against “conservative” strategies, including those advocating militant confrontations, anti-electoral democracy and military rule, with a number decided to withdraw from the movement, some chose to compromise or eventually reconciled under the “Threat-Mega Crisis-Action Now” campaigns.