Thai Democracy Movement Is Anything But

Protests in Bangkok pit elite against fairly elected government

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2008 6:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – In Bangkok, the People's Alliance for Democracy has entered its third week of occupying the office of the Thai prime minister, who was booted from office on Tuesday by the country's supreme court. But as Seth Mydans of the New York Times observes, the PAD only looks like a "people's power" revolution. In fact, it's a counterrevolution—against a government that, good or bad, won power in a fair election by a huge majority.

The PAD wants to do away with an elected parliament and replace it with a body of appointees, thus keeping power vested in Thailand's urban, royalist elite. For the protesters, political power should run top-down and reflect traditional Thai hierarchies. "In a nutshell, it’s a kind of distrust of the people," says one professor of Asian history.

Protesters celebrate as they hear the announcement that Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had lost a crucial court case Tuesday Sept. 9, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Ed Wray)

Thailand's ousted prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, center, is surrounded by security guards and reporters as he leaves parliament Friday. (AP Photo)

Anti-government protester waves a flag inside Government House in Bangkok Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A child joins in anti-government protests. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Anti-government protesters queue up for food during the demonstration at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo)

Protesters celebrate as they hear the announcement that Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had lost a crucial court case Tuesday Sept. 9, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Ed Wray)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Bangkok Bomb Raises Stakes in Standoff

Protesters mark 7th day of occupation of Thai PM's office

(NEWSER) - A small bomb went off outside a Bangkok police station as anti-government protesters continued their occupation of the Thai prime minister's office for a seventh day. Although nobody was injured in the blast, a senior government source told Reuters that the People's Alliance for Democracy "has launched a guerrilla war with us." The PAD denied responsibility for the explosion. More»

Grenade Blast Hurts 46 Thai Protesters

PAD blames pro-government forces, says it's willing to die for cause

(NEWSER) - A grenade blast at the prime minister’s compound in Bangkok has wounded 46 anti-government protesters, at least two critically, Reuters reports. A leader of the party leading the protest blamed pro-government forces for the attack, which comes as demonstrations at the Government House and Bangkok's international airport garner worldwide attention. “If they shoot us, we'll shoot them back," said another party leader. "We will die if that makes the country better." More»

Grenade Blast Hits Thai Protesters

Anti-government group vows to topple government after fatal attack

(NEWSER) - Thai protesters vowed to step up their campaign to oust the government after a grenade thrown into their camp killed one and injured 23 this morning, Reuters reports. The government—and a renegade major-general who vowed to attack the protesters with bombs and snakes dropped from planes—denied involvement. Unions supporting the protesters are discussing strikes, and tensions are expected to remain high in the capital Bangkok. More»

Anti-Government Thais Give That Protest a Hand

Mechanical 'clappers' become vital accessory for cheering at rallies

(NEWSER) - Plastic hand-shaped clappers have become a must-have among Thais trying to bring down their government, AFP reports. Hands clapped raw by months of protesting need a break, and vendors outside the occupied Government House sell hundreds of clappers daily. The clappers—used to hound the prime minister out of a mall last month—have become a potent symbol of the movement. More»

State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok

Army steps in after clashes kill protester, injure dozes

(NEWSER) - A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok after clashes between rival groups of protesters left one dead and dozens injured, the BBC reports. Pro- and-anti-government groups battled each other with sticks, clubs and pipes after administration supporters smashed through police lines near a complex occupied for a week by protesters. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Thai Democracy Movement Is Anything But

Protests in Bangkok pit elite against fairly elected government

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Thailand • Bangkok • monarchy • Samak Sundaravej • protesters • People's Alliance for Democracy • Thai protesters

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bangkok Bomb Raises Stakes in Standoff

Protesters mark 7th day of occupation of Thai PM's office

Grenade Blast Hurts 46 Thai Protesters

PAD blames pro-government forces, says it's willing to die for cause

Grenade Blast Hits Thai Protesters

Anti-government group vows to topple government after fatal attack

Anti-Government Thais Give That Protest a Hand

Mechanical 'clappers' become vital accessory for cheering at rallies

State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok

Army steps in after clashes kill protester, injure dozes

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Thai Democracy Movement Is Anything But

Protests in Bangkok pit elite against fairly elected government

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Thailand • Bangkok • monarchy • Samak Sundaravej • protesters • People's Alliance for Democracy • Thai protesters

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Bangkok Bomb Raises Stakes in Standoff

Protesters mark 7th day of occupation of Thai PM's office

Grenade Blast Hurts 46 Thai Protesters

PAD blames pro-government forces, says it's willing to die for cause

Grenade Blast Hits Thai Protesters

Anti-government group vows to topple government after fatal attack

Anti-Government Thais Give That Protest a Hand

Mechanical 'clappers' become vital accessory for cheering at rallies

State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok

Army steps in after clashes kill protester, injure dozes

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?