The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD; ; commonly known as "Yellow Shirts") was a Thai reactionary, monarchist political movement and pressure group. It was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand.
Its leaders included media-mogul Sondhi Limthongkul and Major General Chamlong Srimuang. The PAD was a chief player in the political crisis of 2005–2006, the 2008 crisis, and the Cambodian–Thai border stand-off. Its membership consisted mainly of ultra-royalist middle-class and working-class Bangkok residents and anti-Thaksin Southerners, supported by some factions of the Thai Army, some leaders of Democrat Party, and the members of the state-enterprise labor unions.IHT, Protesters face police in Thailand, 28 August 2008Asian Times, Thai protests turn nasty, 27 August 2008
People's Alliance for Democracy announced to end the political role on August 23, 2013.ก้าวข้าม ปล่อยวางสุธาชัย ยิ้มประเสริฐ: ปิดฉากบทบาทกลุ่มพันธมิตร
Name The movement is also called the National Liberation Alliance (กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Klum Phanthamit Ku Chat), the Thai Patriots Network, or more commonly the Yellow Shirts (, Suea Lueang).
General information The PAD was formed to lead demonstrations against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, whom they accused of being anti-monarchy. Two days after a military junta's 2006 military coup overthrew Thaksin's interim government (between elections), the PAD voluntarily dissolved after announcing its goals had been accomplished.People's Daily, Anti-Thaksin alliance dissolved, 21 September 2006 The PAD re-established itself after Thaksin-affiliated parties, led by Samak Sundaravej's People's Power Party (PPP), won a plurality in the 2007 general election. In May 2008, PAD again began street protests and in August seized Government House to pressure Samak's coalition government to resign. PAD supporters also seized airports in Phuket, Krabi, and Hat Yai and blocked major roads and highways. Sympathetic state-enterprise labour unions assisted by stopping train services across the kingdom and threatened to shut off electricity and water services to non-PAD supporters.Associated Press, Strike by Thai anti-government forces falls flat, 3 September 2008Bangkok Post, Airports still shut, trains not running Armed PAD forces "Srivichai Warriors" seized a government television broadcaster as well as several government ministries.The Irrawaddy, PAD Protesters, Police in Tense Standoff, 27 August 2008CNN, Thai judges issue warrants to arrest protesters, 27 August 2008The Nation, Tolerance winning the day at Government House - for now , 29 August 2008CNN, Thai judges issue warrants to arrest protest leaders on the request of the police, which were later nullified by the higher courts, 27 August 2008 Violence between PAD supporters and anti-PAD protesters left dozens injured and one PAD protester dead.The Star, Thailand democracy at risk, 3 September 2008 Wealthy PAD supporters threatened a bank run that could destabilize the Thai financial system if the Samak government did not resign.The Straits Times, I won't quit: Samak, 31 August 2008
PAD's protests escalated after the Constitutional Court found Samak guilty of violating a law which prohibits government ministers from receiving a salary from another job. PAD forces surrounded Parliament and used razor wire barricades to prevent the legislature from meeting to hear Samak's replacement, Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, formally announce his policies. Police used force to disperse the protesters, resulting in hundreds of serious injuries and the death of a young woman, all caused by the explosions of Chinese-made tear gas grenades, which the poorly trained police fired directly at the protesters.Nation, Angkhana killed by tear gas canister explosion: Pornthip As a result, the PAD formally renounced non-violence and vowed bloody revenge.Matichon, ตร.ถูก"รถชน"บอกเสียใจยันทำหน้าที่โดยไร้อาวุธ ผบ.ตร.พร้อมให้คนกลางสอบเหตุปะทะ ยันตชด.ฝึกมาอย่างดี Thai protest leaders vow revenge after deadly clashes , 7 October 2008 In November, the PAD blockaded Parliament prior to a crucial legislative session, used hijacked public buses to take control of the government's provisional offices at Don Mueang International Airport, and seized control of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.Reuters, Thai protesters storm airport control tower, 26 November 2008AFP, https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hGVXtxYudgtTWJRXywyzD_SY2VZQ, 26 November 2006Time, Thailand's Political Crisis Becomes a Global One, 26 November 2008 The PAD also threatened to lay siege to the seaports of the Eastern Seaboard.The Nation, Tension may worsen with pro-govt rally , 30 November 2008 The PAD's sieges and protests ended after the Constitutional Court dissolved the PPP, banned its leaders from politics, and Army Commander Anuphong Phaochinda pressured many PPP MPs to defect to the Democrat Party and elect Abhisit Vejjajiva as Premier.The Telegraph, Thai army to 'help voters love' the government, 18 December 2008 PAD activist Kasit Piromya was appointed Foreign Minister in the new government.
The PAD called en masse for the resignations of Thaksin, Samak Sundaravej, and Somchai Wongsawat, whom the PAD accused of being proxies for Thaksin. Sondhi originally proposed Somchai as an acceptable alternative to Samak.Bangkok Post, Sondhi gives first hint of compromise, 3 September 2008 However, when Somchai replaced Samak, the PAD refused to stop its protests, noting that Somchai is Thaksin's brother-in-law.The Nation, PAD proposes "People Revolution Government" , 15 September 2008 At the height of the sieges, the PAD openly stated that the only person they would accept as premier was Abhisit.Bloomberg, Oxford Graduate Abhisit Elected in Thai Power Shift, 19 December 2008 PAD leader Khamnoon Sitthisamarn called Abhisit's premiership a "genuine PAD victory" and a "Anuphong-style coup d'état".The Nation, Question loom over new Prime Minister's legitimacy , 17 December 2008
Citing the claimed failure of popular democracy in Thailand, the PAD has suggested constitutional amendments that would make parliament a largely royally appointed body.IHT, On 5th day of Thai protests, a carnival atmosphere, 30 August 2008BBC, Rifts behind Thailand's political crisis, 27 August 2008 It was strongly opposed to Thaksin's populist economic policies and attempts to decentralize political power. The Asian Human Rights Commission has noted of the PAD and their agenda that, "although they may not describe themselves as fascist, have fascist qualities."Asian Human Rights Committee, THAILAND: Watershed moment for democracy and rule of law , 26 November 2008 The PAD is largely composed of royalists, has regularly invoked king Bhumibol Adulyadej in its protests, and has claimed that its enemies are disloyal to the monarchy.ABC, Thai PM threatens protestors over slogans, 5 August 2008Al Jazeera, Thai PM: 'I will never resign', 31 August 2008The Financial Times, Protesters besiege Thai state buildings , 27 August 2008 It has openly called for the military and Thailand's traditional elite to take a greater role in politics.AFP Thai PM consults king over escalating protests , 20 August 2008 The PAD is fiercely anti-Cambodian, with PAD leader and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya calling Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen a "gangster" or "tramp", "deranged", and speculated that he was a "slave" of Thaksin.Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Glorifying the Inglorious Past: Historical Overhangs in Thai-Cambodian Relations, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung-funded workshop on "Historical Overhangs in East Asian International Relations", 21–22 April 2010
Origins and leadership
The People's Alliance for Democracy had its source in weekly public tapings of Sondhi Limthongkul's weekly political talk show 'Muang Thai Rai Sapda' (Thailand Weekly). Attendance grew after the talkshow was dropped by MCOT Channel 9 and Sondhi started webcasting the show on his website. As the tone grew more controversial, the tapings gradually turned into protests against the government. The PAD was formally established on February 8, 2006, after Thaksin's family sold shares in Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings. The PAD saw the transactions as a proof of a conflict of interest.
The central committee of the PAD consisted of:
Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul Major General Chamlong Srimuang, former governor of Bangkok, leader of the Palang Dharma Party, spokesman of the Confederation for Democracy (1992 oppositional movement) Activist Phiphob Thongchai (Campaign for Popular Democracy) State enterprise labor union leader Somsak Kosaisuuk, former spokesman of the Confederation for Democracy University lecturer Somkiat Pongpaiboon, activist of the Assembly of the Poor
Besides the five leaders, ten others form the PAD management committee: Pitaya Wongkul, Rewadee Prasertcharoensuuk, Rosana Tositrakul, Chaiwat Sindhuwong, Preeda Tiasuwan, Sirichai Maingam, Suwit Watnuu, Kochawan Chaiyabut, Weerapol Sopa, Ouychai Wata.
Other leaders include famous entertainer Sarunyoo Wongkrachang and Campaign for Popular Democracy leader Suriyasai Katasila. Several current and former employees of Sondhi played a role, including Panthep Puapongbhant, Khamnoon Sitthisaman, Samran Rodpetch, Sarocha Pornudomsak, Anchalee Paireerak, Yuthayong Limlertwatee, and Torpong Sewatarm.
Supporters
PAD protesters initially consisted mostly of middle to upper-class residents of Bangkok. These included prominent socialites (dubbed the "Blue Blood Jet Set" by the Bangkok Post) and some little known minor members of the Thai royal family. The PAD's support base has since expanded to include civil servants, state enterprise labor unions, the urban middle-class of other cities, conservative Buddhist groups, Southerners and the so-called "elite". Except for the South, PAD has mainly urban support in contrast to Thaksin, whose base has been essentially rural.
Buddhist groups supporting the PAD include the Santi Asoke sect and their "Dharma Army" (led by Thaksin's former mentor Chamlong Srimuang).
General Pathompong Kesornsuk, a close aid of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, appeared in full uniform at PAD protests and urged his fellow soldiers to follow suit.Bangkok Post, Inquiry ordered into general at PAD rally, 12 July 2008Prachatai, Bail still denied for lèse majesté detainee after 24 days , 16 August 2008 The Army openly ignored government orders to evict the PAD from Government House, Don Muang Airport, and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Former Army Commander Anupong Paochinda publicly called for the government to resign several times, though he also asked the PAD to leave the airports.
The PAD dress in yellow, the royal color, and claim they are defending King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the monarchy against the alleged disloyalty of Thaksin. Bhumibol has remained completely neutral, though Queen Sirikit did attend the cremation of a young PAD woman killed by a police grenade at a protest and described her as a "good girl" and a "protector of the monarchy and the country".The Nation, Queen attends slain protester's cremation , 14 October 2008 However, HRH Princess Sirindhorn, when asked at a US press conference if she thought the PAD was acting on behalf of the monarchy, replied: "I don't think so. They do things for themselves."The Economist, Fuelling the pyre, 16 October 2008
In the past, many PAD members received financial support from their leader, Sondhi Limthongkul.
Political proposals