Anyone who supports Democracy or Social Justice would have little difficulty in choosing sides in the current class war being conducted in Thailand.

On one side we have the Red Shirts. They are the poor; workers and small farmers from Bangkok and the provinces. They are demanding a return to Democracy. They proudly call themselves “serfs” in the battle against the elites. They started out as supporters of Taksin Shinawat’s Thai Rak Thai Party. This party won an overall majority in democratic elections because they introduced the country’s first ever universal health care scheme and other pro-poor policies. Taksin was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. The Red Shirts formed in late 2008. During the prolonged crisis they have become more and more radicalised. They now speak the language of class struggle. Many have become republicans.

On the other side we have the military-installed Government of Abhisit Vejjajiva. Abhisit’s name actually means “privilege”. His so-called Democrat Party has never won an overall majority in any election because they are against state welfare. Behind the Government is the Military. The Thai Military has killed unarmed civilians demanding civil rights and Democracy 6 times in the last 40 years. On the 10th April 2010 they once again brought tanks and automatic weapons onto the streets of Bangkok to disperse a peaceful pro-democracy demonstration. The result was 25 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Abhisit has introduced draconian censorship of the media and internet. Siding with the Military are the fascist Yellow Shirts, a middle class movement which closed down the international airports in 2008. They all claim that they are “fighting for the King”. The Monarchy has always given legitimacy to dictators and tyrants in Thailand. As the richest man in the country and the richest monarch in the world, King Pumipon calls on the poor to be “sufficient” in their poverty. He allows people to call him “father” and crawl on the ground in front of him. Stiff lese majeste laws protect him and the Military from criticism. Yet the King is old and sick and his son is hated and despised. A recent Australian TV programme showed the prince making his wife pose naked during his dog’s birthday party.

Despite the obvious nature of the two sides, almost the entire Thai NGO movement, including Focus on Global South, and the so-called liberal academics, have sided with the Government, the Military and the Yellow Shirts.

The Red Shirts are resisting. They have been protesting in Bangkok since mid March and are surrounded by armed soldiers. The Government is stalling on a recent peace proposal with the Red Shirts. At time of writing it is impossible to predict what will happen next. The Red Shirt movement would be significantly strengthened by expanding agitation into the organised working class so that strike action could take place.

This is an historic moment in Thai history. Never before have we seen such a large mass movement based on workers and peasants and supported by millions of citizens. The elites are in panic mode. Their old world is collapsing around them. The hegemony of the Monarchy has been broken. The elites can shoot hundreds, even thousands, but they will never win over the hearts and minds of the population.

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