Liberalism is poorly represented in the mainstream politics of Thailand. Although Thailand became a constitutional monarchy after the abolishment of absolute monarchy in 1932, it has since mostly been ruled by authoritarian leaders. Liberalism surfaced in the form of Pridi Banomyong's government (1946), the period following the 1973 student uprising, and the democratically elected governments of the 1990s which followed the Black May events of 1992.
Following the which ousted the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, many liberal scholars and activists have identified with the Red Shirt movement, which opposes the military dictatorship. The movement supports Thaksin, although his rule was highly illiberal and authoritarian.
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