Today, there is much dissent about the goals of the movement, with some simply wanting him to not accept the Premiership, others stating their intention to send him into permanent exile, while extremists have stated their intention to see him dead.
PAD's escalation of attacks against Thaksin Shinawatra As political tensions escalated in March 2006, PAD attacks against Thaksin increased in intensity. * Senator Karoon Sai-ngam of Buriram Province told women to pass photos of Thaksin between their legs and curse Thaksin three times to flee to Singapore. * Social critic Sulak Sivaraksa claimed that Thaksin Shinawatra had committed adultery and had fathered an illegitimate child. However, he has never cited any evidence for his claims. * Sondhi Limthongkul claimed that Thaksin had masterminded the destruction of Erawan Shrine in order to replace Brahma with a "dark force" aligned to Thaksin. Sondhi claimed that Thaksin hired the destroyer of the shrine through a Khmer black magic shaman. Sondhi also claimed "I have in-depth information about someone who is deeply obsessed with superstition . He wants to destroy Thao Maha Phrom so that he can rebuild it by himself and then bury "his stuff" in the statue. This is a way to avert ill omens". Thaksin called Sondhi's accusations "insane". To date, Sondhi has refused to make public any details about his "in-depth information" regarding his accusations.
Protest Strategy In a single protest in late February 2006, Buddhist leader Sulak Sivaraksa called Thaksin a pitiful dog, chairman of a northeastern teachers' group Auychai Watha called for Thaksin's children to "become whores infected with venereal disease." The behavior of the protesters was condemned by the Chairperson of Amnesty International's Thailand office. Protestors often harassed journalists and newscrews.
The "Finland Plan" In May 2006, allegations against Thaksin reached a new peak when, on the eve of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's , the Manager newspaper and website published several articles on the "Finland Plan". The "Finland Plan" was an alleged conspiracy designed by Thaksin and other Thai Rak Thai co-founders aimed at overthrowing the King and seizing control of the country. Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senniam commented that the Finland Plan was "obviously true". In retaliation, Thaksin and TRT sued the owner of the Manager daily Sondhi Limthongkul, its editor, a columnist and two executives for libel.
Impact of the protests * Sanoh Tientong created Pracharat Party (King's People Party). * Privatization of EGAT was blocked. * Election Committee were jailed. * Internal Revenue Service top officials are under investigation. * Kularb Kaew (Glass Roses) is under investigated for being a foreign corporation's norminee. * Nationa Auditing Office Director, Kunying Jaruwan Menthaka was placed back in the position. * Legal Dream team starts to resign. Wisanuu Kruangam, Bawornsak Uwanno. Pokin never shows up in News Media again. * Legal Suits ahead - One crimical case against Thaksin - * Administration Court received the suit by Consumer Protection Group to investigate the privatization of PTT, the same group that filed the suit to block EGAT from being privatized. * Military Commanders were transferred to positions out side of Bangkok - * Protesters around the globe * Escalation of Turmoil at the Southern 3 Provinces * Internal Pressure from Thai Rak Thai Party - Pongpol Adireksarn, the top member of TRT speaks out clearly that who ever succeed Thaksin has to set up the investigation towards Thaksin and his past activities while in premiership, in order to decrease the pressure from public towards TRT (http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/13/national/national_30013480.php)
The Country Split Since the election of February 2005 that Thai Rak Thai Party of Thaksin obtained 377 seats from total 500 seats in the House of Representative (Congress), Thaksin’s Government has been the first government that was formed with single party and also, for the first time in Thai History, can maintain the full 4 year term. He was considerably having an absolute control of the country. However, after a year of Anti-Thaksin campaign organized by PAD, his popularity was sharply decreased. Many people who use to support him (Including PAD leaders; Sondhi Limthongkul who use to put all the good words for him in the past and Chamlong Srimuang who brought Thaksin into political world) are now joined PAD and protest against him.
However, with the limited channel of PAD media outlet, the information that PAD provide for public regarding the negative issues of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not reach to the majority of people. Only the middle class and the people who seek for different side of news from Government’s Press can access such information. The farmers and citizens under poverty line, whom Thais called “Grass Root” which are large majority of the country, still believe in Thaksin’s Government. PAD always stated that “these grass root are not stupid, they just do not have any opportunity to access the truth. Furthermore, Thaksin’s Government continue to drug them with low-interested loan that suppose to be invested for business but these people spend it on Cell phone, Motorcycle, Alcohol and Gambling. For those who really invested, the government did not have enough resource to help them build their business. Most of them end up with larger debt than before. But they still love Thaksin because no one ever really gives them any money and Thaksin held these people hostages because they believe that if they did not vote for Thaksin, the loan will be cancelled and their asset will be liquidated”
No matter what reasons why some hates Thaksin or loves him, the country was spited into two sides in a way that never happen before. It is true that most of the people who love Thaksin are from the lower class and most of the people who hate him are from middle and upper class, but this is far away from the clash between the classes. The divisions were actually happened else where in many social sectors of the society. For example, in Medical field, majority of them hates Thaksin but there are quite a few who loves Thaksin. Among Taxi drivers which majority of them support Thaksin, there are quite a few who hate him as well. In the History of Thailand, most political clash were happen between two groups such as college students VS villages farmers on October 6 1976 or college students VS soldier on October 14 1973. However, never before that the clash of two sides was happened “within” the people who belong to the same group, same background like what is currently happening. In every website, every message boards there will be a dispute of people who supports and protest Thaksin. Not a single social sector that has the same idea regarding this issue. However, as time goes by, the people who protest Thaksin seems to get a stronger support base on the announcement that have made in the name of many professional organizations and interests group that demand Thaksin to step down. On the other hand the group that support Thaksin, which still a majority of population, hardly put and effort to coordinate their campaign to support Thaksin, especially in Bangkok.
Thaksin goes on leave On April 10 2006 Time Asia Magazine, with the experienced news personal who familiar with political climate of South East Asia, published the article name “Silk Revolution”. Time Asia truly believed that the peaceful protest on the street arranged by PAD reached its miracle success because Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a press announcement on April 4 2006 that “I will not accept any position after this election. I will only remain as a care taker until the new government is formed”. There has never been such a thing as a peaceful demonstration on the street that can successfully overtrown the government in South East Asian History. The act of PAD is the first.
Time Asia interpretated this as a “resignation” by Thaksin. However, after the election there is no formal transfer of power to anyone. Thaksin himself stated the press that he will take a “vacation” and already giving all the administrative authority to Police General Chitchai Wanasatit. However, eventually, he returned and resumed full authority in July 2006. There is no further article from Time Asia regarding this matter.
Violence On August 21 2006 at the newly-reopened Central World Plaza the first blood of the anti-thaksin campaign was sighted. Police used excessive force against men, women, and children. As of Sepmtember 12, 2006, no public apology or explanation of the events have been announced.
Establishment of the Mass Party For more information, on popular movements, see the People power in Thailand article. For more information about the PAD's political party, see
Through its televised rallies, PAD attained a great degree of political power, without becoming a political party. However, in May 2007, the PAD announced the creation of the Mass Party. The party has an unconventional political agenda, vowing not to field any MP candidates in its first five years. A party founder claimed that "If we field MP candidates, we will be trapped in vicious circles of money politics." Party co-founders included Somkeit Pongpaibul, former Palang Dharma Party leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong, and the Campaign for Popular Democracy's Pipop Thongchai.
Recent events Police State Sondhi mentioned since fourth "Muangthai Raisabdah Sunjorn" show that there is the group of "Police" that act as a "muscle" of the politician.
First Anniversary September 9 is coming. Sondhi still believe that PAD can win this war. He already have a plan to celebrate
# Exhibition of Thaksin's Thugs. # Chinese Opera
The Celebration will be at Sanam Luang
Desperation or Validation? On September 6 2006 Sondhi Limthongkul, along with his lieutenants went to submit the petition to Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, the chairman of Privy Council to seek for help in solving the nation political crisis. This Petition is certainly the message that PAD wants King Bhumibol Adulyadej to hear and intervene just like what has been happened many times in nation’s history. Gen. Prem accepted the letter but not by formal reception, he send out the Privy Council Secretary to meet Sondhi at the front gate.
PAD goes North On September 1 2006 - PAD announced that they will go to visit the heartland of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Chingmai Province. They also plan to visit Bureerum Province, which is considered the territory of Nevin Chitchob, the Vice Prime Minister and Thaksin's right-hand man. This act is quite questionable in terms of the real "purpose" of going such a place. Obviously, looking back at the timeline of PAD rally that has been taken place, there were hardly any events that was organized in the northern or north eastern region of Thailand. With the current large amount of supporters around the country, PAd might decide that it is time to expand their activities. Nobody argues that PAD has right to organized a peaceful street protest anywhere in the country. The Constitution of Thailand protects them.
Many PAD supporters believe that the trip to the North and North East is the operation to raise a spirit of local PAD members and spread the "truth" about Thaksin and his government. They stated that there is no such purpose of provoking the Thaksin supporters to physically attack them. They also believe that PAD wants to eliminate the image of trying to split the country into Thai North that support Thaksin and Thai South that condemn him.
