So Thailand is in the news again right now, and many leftist and or communist/anarchist commentators or twitters are posting about the protests. However, there isn't much in the way of meaningful analysis. Most of the protestors or Yellow Shirts as I understand it, who are in general supporters of the King and Military (It is, I believe, a constitutional monarchy). What they're calling for is the ouster of Yingluck Shinawtra, therelative of Thaksin Shinawtra. Thaksin was, again, as I understand it, a prominent businessman who became the prime minister and oversaw some degree of land reform and investment in infrastructure. For this reason, many red shirts, poor farmers and the like, or very supportive of Thaksin.
Upon being exiled to Dubai a few years ago, the red shirts protested and about 90 people died. They did some pretty intense stuff, like standing up to tanks and pooring blood on some gov't buildings.
So while Thaksin is a telecommunications "tycoon", bourgeois opportunist soliciting the support of the rural working class, the current protests seem to be in opposition to any reform at all, even if making claims to setting up "People's Councils."
Can anyone offer any better informed analysis? I'm checking out The King Never Smiles over winter break to try and get a better historical background, and will try and familiarize myself with the class composition and economic and political breakdown in Thailand. Anyone have any good places to start?
Thanks a lot!
as far as I know, to be anti-monarchist can still get you to prison immediately in Thailand ... some leftwing stuff is here: http://redthaisocialist.com/ ... but don't know, how good it is