By Chris Whitworth
Roots of uprising
The recent turmoil in Thailand’s capital can essentially be boiled down to the poor protesting for a greater say in who governs the country.
There are two main sides in the crisis. On one side there are Thailand’s rural poor, often affiliated with the “Red Shirts”. On the other are the so called ruling elite comprised of wealthy families, military and political officials based in the country’s capital – Bangkok.
While Thailand has experienced decades of unrest, the recent violence is centered on the last five years in which the current government has refused to hold democratic elections.
Who are the Red Shirts?
The Red Shirts are mainly comprised of Thailand’s poor. Despite being an electoral majority they are largely ignored in the country’s governance.
The Red Shirts movement was started by supporters of former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, but in a broader sense they have come to represent pro-democracy for Thailand. The group lacks a solid leadership structure and is made up of an eclectic mix of followers, prominent figures include an ex-military general, a former pop star and a medical doctor.
What is Thaksin Shinawatra’s role in the crisis?
The five-year crisis largely originates from the exiling of former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, though in many ways it has moved beyond him.
Thaksin was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 – 2006 and was the country’s first leader to serve a full term. He was a populist leader who brought in many poverty reducing policies until he was ousted in a 2006 government coup over allegations of corruption.
Current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power in a disputed 2008 election in which the Red Shirts accused the military of influencing the vote.
One of the central demands of the Red Shirts is a new democratic election, as they consider the current government illegitimate.
Who are the Yellow Shirts?
The Yellow Shirts represent the established power in Thailand. They were created out of opposition to former-Premier Thaksin and pledge allegiance to the monarchy – the colour yellow symbolic of Thailand’s King.
The group played an integral role in overthrowing Thaksin in 2006, who faced charges of corruption. While the current violence pits poor against the elite, The Yellow Shirts have held little presence in the standoff.
City converted to a war zone
Bangkok is the main stage for the violence, with the Red Shirts bunkering themselves at Ratchaprasong intersection, in the city’s central hub. The encampment is surrounded by office buildings, hotels and shopping malls and presents a difficult landscape for the military to move in on.
It estimated up to 5000 Red Shirt supporters are barricaded inside the encampment - including women and children who are walled up within the temporary walls of tyres, bamboo and concrete.
Despite the crude setting, the encampment is able to siphon water from city fire hydrants and power their operations through mobile generators.
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In recent days the government has surrounded the encampment, attempting to flush out the protestors. The government has also given permission for soldiers to fire live rounds at protestors who come within 36m – though unofficial reports of sniper activity have also circulated.
Earlier this week the Thai government set a deadline for the removal of women and children from the encampment, guaranteeing safe passage before the military move in. The deadline passed and no one has yet left the encampment.
Truce offers
Both sides have presented truce offers. The Red Shirts proposed UN-moderated talks if the military retreats from the group’s stronghold. The offer was quickly denounced by the Government who are weary of UN intervention.
The government in turn offered an early election for this November, but the Red Shirts would only accept under the proviso that Thailand’s deputy Prime Minister, who directs security affairs, be arrested for his hand in last week’s military assault that killed more than 20 protestors. The conditions were rejected by the government.
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