Red Shirt / Yellow Shirt Protect and Insurrection in Thailand 2005-2014

Description

In 2005-2006, widespread public anger with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resulted in a crisis that formed the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD, so-called ‘Yellow Shirts’). On 19 September 2006, the crisis culminated in the overthrow of the Shinawatra’s government by the coup d’etat of the Royal Thai Army, and the establishment of the junta led by Surayud Chulanont. Two days later, the PAD voluntarily dissolved after announcing its goals had been accomplished. However, when Thaksin-affiliated parties won the 2007 general election, in August 2008 the PAD regrouped and launched a new wave of protests, between others sizing the Government House, airports of Phuket, Krabi, and Hat Yai, and blocking major highways. Reinforced by sympathetic labor units that stopped train services and threatened to shut off electricity and water services to non-PAD supporters.