The Change in Political Movement in Thai Politics: A Case Study of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) (B.C. 2005-2014)

Abstract

The political movements in Thailand from 2005-2014 have raised the question whether the existing theory on social movements is still valid and applicable to the Thai society. This research aimed the examine the movements of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) during 2005-2014. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants. The author conducted in-depth interviews with respondents and employed documentary research for further analysis. The author also analyzed data from historical and structural contexts, as well as from the social networks.

The study found that that various political, economic, and social conditions shaped the formation of political ideology of the two political groups to be that of nationalist-conservative, leading to their political will, organizations, and strategies in their movements. External factors that shaped the formation of these political movements included: political crises under the administrations of Thaksin Shinawatra, Somchai Wongsawat, and Yingluck Shinawatra; and the roles of Thai political and economic powers, e.g., political elites, military, judicial system, bureaucracy, economic elites, and people organizations, all of which assembled under the structure of “family network culture.” The political movements led by the two political groups had led to their negation of representative democracy, and also linked to the “deep state.” Consequences of their movements included the 2006 coup, the removals of two prime ministers in 2008, and the 2014 coup. PAD and PDRC’s rejection of representative democracy have undermined the strength of people-based politics and weakened citizens’ basic rights and freedom in the long term.