People's Democratic Reform Committee Explained

People's Democratic Reform Committee
Native Name:คณะกรรมการประชาชนเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็นประชาธิปไตยที่สมบูรณ์ อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข
Native Name Lang:th
Size:200px
Abbreviation:PDRC; Thai: กปปส.
Formation:
(formed officially)[1]
Status:Defunct
Purpose:Removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence on Thai politics
Political reform (before election)
Location:Bangkok
Region Served:Thailand
Membership:
  • Former members of the Democrat Party[2]
  • Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NPRST)
  • The PAD rebranded as the "People's Movement to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime" (PMOTR)
  • Dharma Army [3]
Leader Title:Secretary-General
Leader Name:Suthep Thaugsuban
Budget:>10 million Thai Baht daily (January 2014 estimate)[4]

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) or People's Committee for Absolute Democracy with the King as Head of State (PCAD) was a reactionary umbrella political pressure group in Thailand.[5] Its aim was to remove the influence of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from Thai politics by deposing the incumbent Pheu Thai government of Yingluck Shinawatra and creating an unelected "People's Council" to oversee political reforms.[6] The group played a key role in the 2013–14 Thai political crisis and the lead up to the 2014 Thai coup d'état, organising large-scale protests within Bangkok and disrupting voting in the 2014 Thai general election in order to prevent a predicted victory by Pheu Thai.

The group was formed on 29 November 2013 by Suthep Thaugsuban, who resigned from his post as Democrat Party secretary-general and MP, and appointed himself as PDRC secretary-general.[7] Although much of the movement's message revolved around anti-politics,[8] the PDRC was a diverse coalition united by little more than opposition to the government of Yingluck Shinawatra;[9] it was made up of members of the opposition Democrat Party, the People's Alliance for Democracy (a coalition opposed to Thaksin known as "Yellow Shirts"), student activist groups, state workers' unions and pro-military groups.[10] The PDRC's support stemmed mostly from affluent Bangkokians and Southerners.[11] Whistle-blowing was a central symbol of the protests.[12]

By accusing the government of lacking legitimacy, Suthep Thaugsuban announced the intention of the People's Democratic Reform Committee to take back power from the government and proceed with national reform through a non-elected royalist council, in order to "eradicate" the "Thaksin regime".[13] [14] Suthep outlined plans for the council to "act as a legislative body, amend laws and regulations, as well as carry out a reform plan in the country".[15] He also explained the council would have 400 members, 300 of whom would be representatives from various professions. The remaining 100 would be selected by the PDRC from scholars and well-respected senior citizens.[16] [17]

The ultimate goal of the PDRC was to have the prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign as the head of the caretaker government[18] in order to create a power vacuum,[19] then invoke articles 3 and article 7 of the 2007 Constitution.[20] This would have allowed the head of the senate to appoint a new premier. Yingluck and nine other senior ministers were removed from office by Constitutional Court on 7 May 2014. The military then seized power in a coup d'état on 22 May, a move which was applauded by many PDRC protesters.[21] The PDRC was disbanded shortly after the coup.[22]

Formation and role in 2013-14 political crisis

See main article: 2013–14 Thai political crisis. Thai politics has been characterized since the 1950s by periodic shows of popular force; mass Yellow Shirt protests immediately preceded the 2006 coup, and a pro-Thaksin Red Shirt rally that engulfed central Bangkok in 2010 was violently crushed with more than 80 civilians killed and around 2,000 injured.

After three consecutive election victories for various Thaksin-backed political parties, the newly formed People's Democratic Reform Committee, a coalition of Yellow Shirt groups fiercely opposed to the ruling Pheu Thai party, decided to begin street protests in Bangkok.[23] The direct precursor of the protests was a proposed amnesty bill which aimed to reconcile differences between supporters and opponents of Thaksin; it would have pardoned Thai politicians from various crimes since the 2006 coup, including murder charges against Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban, politicians opposed to Thaksin, for their role in the 2010 crackdown.[24] PDRC protesters accused the proposed bill of being a backdoor attempt to allow Thaksin Shinawatra to return home from self-imposed exile without facing a corruption conviction.[25] After opposition from both the Democrat Party and parts of the pro-government Red Shirt movement, the bill was rejected unanimously by the Senate of Thailand on 11 November.[26] On 20 November the Constitutional Court also ruled that a government-proposed amendment to the 2007 constitution that would have made the Senate a fully elected body was invalid.[27] [28]

PDRC protests in Bangkok continued, disrupting economic life and government functioning with a series of rallies at 11 key sites across the city. The protests reached their height in mid-January 2014, at which point they involved nearly 500,000 people. By late-April they had declined significantly and involved no more than several thousand protestors.

Prime Minister Yingluck dissolved the Thai parliament following the recommencement of protests and announced a new election in accordance with the Thai constitution. The constitution stated that elections must be held 45 to 60 days from the date that parliament is dissolved. The PDRC opposed the election announcement and stated that it would boycott the process. The election was held on 2 February and the PDRC disrupted polling in parts of Bangkok and southern Thailand, causing the result to be annulled by the Thai courts.

Despite attempts by the private sector,[29] military[30] and caretaker government[31] to find a solution to the crisis, PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he would not negotiate with the government, the military or any other mediator, but would fight until the PDRC achieved its goal of having a royally-appointed people council conduct reforms before any election to eradicate the "Thaksin regime".[32] [33] Yingluck Shinawatra continued as caretaker prime minister for three months after the annulled election until she was controversially removed from office by the Constitutional Court on 7 May over the transfer of a senior security officer in 2011. The military then launched a coup later in May. In 2021, political scientists Duncan McCargo and Naruemon Thabchumpon wrote that the PDRC "bears a significant degree of responsibility for the fact that Thailand remains under a hybrid form of military rule today."

Organizations aligned with the PDRC

Leaders

Major allies

Many Thai artists, actors, singers and celebrities expressed support for the PDRC, including Yong Lookyee, Jetrin Wattanasin, Jirayut Wattanasin, Pongpat Wachirabunjong, Sinjai Plengpanich, Chatchai Plengpanich, Sattawat "Tae" Sethakorn,[61] Pongsak "Aof" Rattanapong, Pakin "Tono" Khamwilaisak, Pattaratida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong,[62] Thep Po-ngam, Rang Rockestra, Caravan, Chintara Sukapatana,[63] Jarunee Suksawat,[64] Sarawit "Mor Kong" Subun,[65] Atom Samphanthapab,[66] Sakchai Guy, Pornthip Rojanasunand, Krisana Kraisintu, Kamron Pramoj na Ayudhya, Achita Pramoj na Ayudhya, Nussaba Punnakanta, ML Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, the Chirathivat family, Chai Rachwat, Kanok Ratwongsakul, Teera Tanyapaibul, Suthipong Thamawuit, Santisuk Promsiri, Rattanaballang Tohssawat, Lalita "Mew" Panyopas, Kijmanoch "Kru Lilly" Rojanasupya, Treechada "Nong Poy" Petcharat.[67]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thairath. thai. 'สุเทพ'เปิดตัว กปปส. ดีเดย์ 1ธ.ค. ยึดทำเนียบ-ทุกส่วนราชการ. 2013-11-29. 2017-06-11.
  2. News: Thai Opposition Party Supports Protests Seeking PM Ouster. https://web.archive.org/web/20131129045127/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-28/thai-democrat-party-throws-support-behind-anti-yingluck-protests. dead. 29 November 2013. 11 April 2014. Bloomberg News. 28 November 2013.
  3. News: Suthep declares 'people's revolt'. 11 April 2014. Bangkok Post. 30 November 2013.
  4. News: Hataikarn. Treesuwan. PDRC spending more than Bt10 million a day. 21 January 2014. The Nation. 17 January 2014.
  5. von Feigenblatt . Dr. Otto F. . The Thai Political Paradox . Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences . 4 March 2014 . 5 . 4 . 782 . 10.2139/ssrn.2435900 . SSRN Electronic Journal . [The PDRC is] a coalition of reactionary elements attempting to stop socio-economic progress so as to protect their interests..
  6. News: The show must go on . The Economist . 29 January 2014.
  7. News: Suthep declares 'people's revolt'. 14 January 2014. Bangkok Post. 30 November 2013.
  8. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2106795/can-thailand-ever-move-forward- Can Thailand ever move forward?
  9. McCargo . Duncan . Thabchumpon . Naruemon . Plural Partisans: Thailand's People's Democratic Reform Committee Protesters . Contemporary Southeast Asia . 2021 . 43 . 1 . 125–150 . 10.1355/cs43-1c . 27035530 . 0129-797X.
  10. News: Aim Sinpeng. Who's who in Thailand's anti-government forces?. 18 January 2014. New Mandala . Australian National University (ANU). 30 November 2013.
  11. News: Galache. Carlos. No end in sight to Thailand turmoil. 25 January 2014. Al Jazeera. 17 January 2014.
  12. News: Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol . Whistle Blowers Call Time Out on Amnesty Bill. 1 December 2013. The Wall Street Journal Southeast Asia Real Time. 7 November 2013.
  13. News: Suthep again targets 'Thaksin regime'. 18 January 2014. Bangkok Post. 25 November 2013.
  14. News: Charlie. Campbell. Thailand's Democrat Party Is Hilariously Misnamed. 18 January 2014. Time. 28 November 2013.
  15. News: Thai protest leader explains demand for 'people's council'. 18 January 2014. English.news.cn. 4 December 2013.
  16. News: Special Report: A nation at the crossroads. 29 September 2018. Phuket Gazette. 5 January 2014.
  17. News: Supreme commander agrees to meet Suthep. 18 January 2014. Bangkok Post. 13 December 2013.
  18. News: The Associated Press. Thailand PM Yingluck Shinawatra won't resign before elections. 18 January 2014. CBC news. 9 December 2013.
  19. News: Thai premier dissolves parliament, protests continue. 18 January 2014. London South East. 9 December 2013.
  20. News: Pakorn. Peungnetr. Article 7 'can work'. 18 January 2014. The Nation. 6 December 2013.
  21. Web site: th:กปปส. เฮเสียงนกหวีดลั่น-แกนนำอุบเงียบรอ "สุเทพ"-ทหารคุมตัว "เหวง" ให้ม็อบ นปช. กลับบ้าน . PDRC applauds the coup - their leaders remain quiet, waiting for Suthep's orders - Weng detained by military - Red Shirts return home . http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057169 . 2014-05-22 . 2014-05-22 . Thai . Manager .
  22. News: Suthep freed, charged with rebellion. 27 May 2014. Bangkok Post. 26 May 2014.
  23. News: Thailand opposition to protest amnesty bill. BBC News. 30 October 2013. 13 January 2014.
  24. News: Ex-Thai PM Abhisit and Former Deputy Charged With Murder. 16 January 2014. Time. 29 October 2013.
  25. News: Protests as Thailand senators debate amnesty bill. 13 January 2014. The Guardian. 11 November 2013.
  26. News: Thailand: anti-Thaksin protesters set new targets after amnesty bill defeat. 13 January 2014. The Guardian. 12 November 2013.
  27. Web site: Ungpakorn. Giles. The 19th August Constitutional Referendum Process is Undemocratic. Prachatai English. 13 January 2014.
  28. News: Thailand Constitutional Court rejects Senate amendments. 12 January 2014. BBC News. 20 November 2013.
  29. News: Business wants executive decree on reform. 19 January 2014. Bangkok Post. 23 December 2013.
  30. News: James. Hookway. Thailand's Army Tries On Role of Peacemaker. 19 January 2014. The Wall Street Journal. 15 December 2013.
  31. News: Suthep rejects proposed talk on election postponement. 19 January 2014. Thai PBS. 13 January 2014.
  32. News: Carlos. Sardina Galache. No end in sight to Thailand turmoil. 19 January 2014. Aljazeera. 17 January 2014.
  33. News: Amy. Sawitta Lefevre, Reuters. 'People cannot negotiate': Anti-government protesters threaten to shut down Bangkok. 19 January 2014. NBC News. 12 January 2014.
  34. News: Thailand's main political parties. 18 January 2014. Aljazeera. 2 July 2011.
  35. News: Buranakanokthanasan. Wirat. Thai opposition party to boycott election. 18 January 2014. Reuters. 21 December 2013.
  36. News: Saiyasombut & Siam Voices. Saksith. Organized chaos: Thai anti-election protesters' hardline faction. 18 January 2014. Asiancorrespondent. 15 January 2014.
  37. News: AeroThai and SET are in protesters' sights. 22 May 2014. nation multimedia. 22 May 2014.
  38. IHT, Protesters face police in Thailand, 28 August 2008
  39. Asian Times, Thai protests turn nasty, 27 August 2008
  40. News: Dharma Army out of the shadows. 11 April 2014. The Nation. 26 February 2006.
  41. News: Nirmal Ghosh . Militancy rising amid Thai political stalemate. 20 May 2014. Asia News Network. 24 April 2014.
  42. News: Alan Dawson. The Big Issue: Redefining Defamation. 27 April 2014. Bangkok Post. 27 April 2014 . He called his creation the Rubbish Collection Organisation, where by "rubbish" he means deviant people who do not love His Majesty the King or Thailand as much as Dr Rienthong. These people must be hunted down and eradicated - his words..
  43. News: RCO plays down militancy. 27 April 2014. Bangkok Post. 24 April 2014 . The doctor is a staunch supporter of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee led by Suthep Thaugsuban..
  44. News: Army's job to defend 'rubbish collector. 18 May 2014. bangkok post. 23 April 2014.
  45. Web site: PDRC spokesman enters monkhood. 2014-06-21. 2017-06-03. TPBS.
  46. Web site: คนร้ายปาบึ้มบ้านอิสสระ สมชัยแกนนำกปปส.กลางดึก-ป่วนหลายเวที. 2014-01-16. 2017-06-03. Thai. ryt9.com.
  47. Web site: thai. ASTV Manager. "4 คุณหนู" ฮาร์ดคอร์ สุดยอดคอนเนกชัน-ใครอย่าแตะ!. 2014-02-06. 2017-06-03.
  48. News: PDRC takes emergency law to court. 27 January 2014. Bangkokpost. 27 January 2014.
  49. News: DSI seeking arrest warrants for 33 more protesters. 27 January 2014. Pattaya Mail. 8 January 2014.
  50. Web site: Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks to his supporters.... Getty Images. en-gb. 2019-01-05.
  51. Web site: Democrat Party member and former Thai finance minister Korn.... Getty Images. en-gb. 2019-01-05.
  52. News: PDRC co-leader nabbed at airport. 27 April 2014. Bangkok Post. 26 April 2014.
  53. Web site: กปปส.ส่ง"ชัยวุฒิ"ยื่นหนังสือจี้ ตร.เร่งรัดคดีเกี่ยวเนื่องการชุมนุม. ASTV Manager. 2014-02-26. 2017-06-03. Thai.
  54. Web site: กปปส. กลับเวทีลุมพินี หลังชุมนุมหน้ากรมศุลกากรเสร็จ. Kapook.com. Thai. 2014-01-14. 2017-06-03.
  55. Web site: ฉากชีวิต'ลุงแขกรักชาติ'. แคน. สาริกา. Komchadluek. Thai. 2015-03-26. 2017-06-14.
  56. Web site: "ศรีวรา อิสสระ" ประกาศตัวเลือกข้างความถูกต้อง. ASTV Manager. Thai. 2014-01-26. 2017-06-14.
  57. Web site: Thai. Posttoday. 2014-03-19. 2017-06-14. เปิดใจไฮโซนกหวีด"ธนัตถ์ ธนากิจอำนวย" . อินทรชัย. พานิชกุล.
  58. Web site: กปปส.ใช้ขบวน 'กบฎดอกไม้บาน' เป็นทัพหน้าบุกบ้านนายกฯ. 2013-12-22. 2017-06-14. บุญญิสา . เพ็งบุญมา. Thai. Voice TV.
  59. News: B2trln Infrastructure bill ruled unconstitutional. . Bangkok Post. 2019-03-19.
  60. News: Luang Pu Buddha Issara Arrest Authorized In Thailand: Senior Buddhist Monk May Be Defrocked. 2 March 2014. Huffingtonpost. 5 February 2014.
  61. Web site: ASTV Manager. Thai. เต๊ะ ศตวรรษ : หัวใจของนาย "หล่อมาก"!. 2014-02-20. 2017-06-14.
  62. Web site: Thairath. Thai. ดาราเลือกข้างการเมือง...กระทบทั้งงานและชีวิตส่วนตัว. 2014-03-05. 2017-06-14.
  63. Web site: Nation TV. ""แหม่ม จินตหรา" เอาไอติมมาแจกมวลชนลาดพร้าว". 2014-02-02. 2017-06-14. Thai.
  64. Web site: จากใจ "เปิ้ล จารุณี" : ไม่มียุคไหนที่ดี-เลวจะชัดเท่านี้อีกแล้ว?. ASTV Manager. 2013-11-20. 2017-06-14. Thai.
  65. Web site: Thairath. 'หมอก้อง' ร่วมถอนสลากออมสิน-'แทค' ท้า 'ตู่' ฝากเงิน . 2017-02-18. Thai. 2017-06-14.
  66. Web site: 2013-11-06. 2017-06-14. "อะตอม สัมพันธภาพ" ดาราช่อง 7 ขึ้นเวที จวก "ยิ่งลักษณ์" ทำเพื่อพี่ ร้องไห้แสดงละคร. Thai. ASTV Manager.
  67. Web site: Nation TV. Thai. "ปอย ตรีชฎา" อดีตมิสทิฟฟานี่ 2004 ร่วมชุมนุมเวที กปปส.. 2014-02-10. 2017-06-14.

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