"measures against terrorists."" On 16 April, Prime Minister Abhisit relieved Suthep from his 'security' responsibilities and replaced him with the Commander of the Royal Thai Army, General Anupong Paochinda. In the subsequent week, several M-79 grenades were fired at government buildings, although no injuries were reported. Protesters, meanwhile, built barricades with sharpened Bamboo in the Rajaprasong tourist district. On 21 April anti-government protesters stopped a train in northeastern Thailand that was carrying military vehicles. Protesters, fearing the equipment was being moved to Bangkok, attacked the train in Khon Kaen, about 280 miles North of Bangkok. They demanded that 10 Red-Shirt"
"a pressure group that opposed the Thai military's alleged influence in the formation of Abhisit's government. It promptly organised several rounds of protests and calls for general elections. Abhisit government finally ordered the military to crack down on the Red Shirts in 2009, resulting in several deaths and hundreds of injuries on both sides. The Red Shirts launched a new round of protests in mid-2010, again demanding new elections. The 14 March protest, centered around Phan Fah bridge, were the largest in Thai history and were mostly peaceful. In April and May 2010 heavy Red Shirt protests led to violent"
"2010 Thai military crackdown On 10 April and 13–19 May 2010, the Thai military cracked down on the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protests in central Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The crackdown was the culmination of months of protests that called for the Democrat Party-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The crackdowns occurred in the vicinity of protest sites near Paan Faa bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection. More than 85 were killed, including more than 80 civilians according to the Erawan EMS Center. Two foreigners and two paramedics were killed. More than"
"Network of Citizen Volunteers Protecting the Land The Network of Citizen Volunteers Protecting the Land (), commonly known as Multicolor Shirts, is a Thai political pressure group and protest movement, directed against the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD, or ""Red Shirts""). It is led by Dr. Tul Sithisomwong, lecturer at the medical faculty of the Chulalongkorn University.<ref name=""BP 16/04""></ref> Other names under which the movement operates include """"Alliance of Patriots"""", """"Protect the Nation"""", and """"Civil Network against Thaksin's Corruption Pardon"""". The grouping has got together out of disagreement with the Red Shirts' heavy protests in 2010 which led"
"because their occupation is unlawful,"" he said. On 12 April 2010, the Election Commission called for the dissolution of the PM's Democrat Party. Meanwhile, Thai troops advanced on protesters in the early morning and used live ammunition. Protesters were repeatedly dispersed and driven back, but kept regrouping behind burning barricades, and threw numerous objects at the soldiers. By daybreak, the soldiers continued to charge on the protesters, while being pelted with petrol bombs. Anti-government protesters said on 14 April 2010, they would all congregate at a single site in a ritzy Bangkok shopping district, preparing for a ""final battleground"" with"
"government of Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. The group renamed itself the ""People's Movement to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime"" () and is a key member of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). Leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang and others were indicted on December 27, 2012 for storming the prime minister's office compound and sealing off Parliament during the massive anti-government rallies in 2008. People's Alliance for Democracy The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) (, ""Phanthamit Prachachon Pheu Prachathipatai"") also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, ""Klum Phanthamit Ku Chat"", Thai Patriots Network or more commonly the Yellow Shirts - ,"
"Third Force (Myanmar) The Third Force is an informal group name given to a collection of political parties and local non-governmental organisations operating inside Burma (also known as Myanmar). It was used mainly in relation with the 2010 general elections. Although campaigning for improvement of living conditions and for democratic change inside the country, the Third Force is seen as distinct from Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy. The political parties participated in the November 2010 General elections while Aung San Suu Kyi's party called for a general boycott. Some state that the Third Force consists"
"the nation, including Central World shopping center and the Stock Exchange of Thailand. 2010 Thai military crackdown On 10 April and 13–19 May 2010, the Thai military cracked down on the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protests in central Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The crackdown was the culmination of months of protests that called for the Democrat Party-led government of Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The crackdowns occurred in the vicinity of protest sites near Paan Faa bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection. More than 85 were killed, including more than 80 civilians according to"
"People's Alliance for Democracy The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) (, ""Phanthamit Prachachon Pheu Prachathipatai"") also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, ""Klum Phanthamit Ku Chat"", Thai Patriots Network or more commonly the Yellow Shirts - , ""Suea Lueang"" - is a Thai political movement and pressure group. It was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders included media-mogul Sondhi Limthongkul and Major General Chamlong Srimuang. The PAD was a chief player in the Thailand political crisis of 2005 to 2006, the 2008 crisis, and the Cambodian–Thai border stand-off. Its"
"and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD, or ""Yellow Shirts""), the network's adherents wear shirts in various colors. The network's supporters, predominantly originating from the Bangkok middle-classes, customarily wave masses of tricolour Thai national flags. The first major public action of the ""Multicolor Shirt"" group was a gathering in front of the Victory Monument in Bangkok, on 13 April 2010. Since this day, the movement has held demonstrations nearly every day. In September 2010, the network started a signature collection against a bill granting amnesty to anyone prosecuted for actions connected to the 2010 political protests. In addition to rallies"
"to the crisis. 2013–2014 Thai political crisis The 2013–2014 Thai political crisis was a period of political instability in Thailand. Anti-government protests took place between November 2013 and May 2014, organised by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), a political pressure group led by former Democrat Party parliamentary representative (MP) Suthep Thaugsuban. The protests eventually resulted in the removal of incumbent Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a coup d'état, and the establishment of the military junta. The primary aim of the protests was the removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence on Thai politics and the creation of an unelected"
"lead demonstrations, calling for the general populace to strike and undertake civil disobedience. The protests gradually shifted towards an anti-government agenda, criticising Yingluck and her government for being proxies for Thaksin and being an elective dictatorship. Several groups protested, including Suthep's Civil Movement for Democracy, the Green Politics group, the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), PEFOT, the Dhamma Army, and the State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation. Whistle blowing became a symbol of the protests. On 20 November 2013, the Constitutional Court invalidated a government-proposed amendment to the 2007 constitution, which would have restored elements of"
"2009 Thai political unrest A series of political demonstrations and following unrest occurred in Thailand from 26 March to 14 April 2009 in Bangkok and Pattaya against the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva and the military crackdown that followed. Up to 100,000 people demonstrated in central Bangkok at the height of the protests. On 17 December 2008, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, was named Prime Minister, after the Constitutional Court of Thailand banned then-Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five years. In March 2009, Thaksin Shinawatra claimed via video broadcast that Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda had masterminded"
"UDD leaders surrendered to police and told protesters to give themselves up. Dozens of arson attacks soon broke out nationwide. A curfew was declared and troops were authorized to shoot on sight anybody inciting unrest. In Thailand, a series of political protests against the Democrat Party-led government occurred in March to May 2010 as a result of an ongoing political crisis. Anger against Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government was high throughout 2009, due to the controversial legal and military maneuvering that led to the formation of the government. In February 2010, Abhisit tightened security in anticipation of a controversial"
"2013–2014 Thai political crisis The 2013–2014 Thai political crisis was a period of political instability in Thailand. Anti-government protests took place between November 2013 and May 2014, organised by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), a political pressure group led by former Democrat Party parliamentary representative (MP) Suthep Thaugsuban. The protests eventually resulted in the removal of incumbent Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a coup d'état, and the establishment of the military junta. The primary aim of the protests was the removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence on Thai politics and the creation of an unelected ""people's council"" to"
"Amnesty International Thailand Amnesty International Thailand (also known as Amnesty Thailand and AI Thailand) is a non-governmental organisation focused on the protection of human rights in Thailand and worldwide with more than 1,000 members across Thailand. Amnesty Thailand is one of more than 50 sections that make up Amnesty International worldwide. Amnesty International, as a whole, is an organization of more than 7 million supporters, activists and volunteers in over 150 countries, with complete independence from government, corporate and any interest group. It works to mobilise public opinion to put pressure on governments that let abuse take place. The organisation"
"for Democracy (PAD), ended with a coup d'état in 2006. In 2007, a civilian government led by the Thaksin-allied People's Power Party (PPP) was elected. Another protest led by PAD ended with the dissolution of PPP, and the Democrat Party led a coalition government in its place. The pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protested both in 2009 and in 2010. After the general election of 2011, the populist Pheu Thai Party won a majority and Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger sister, became Prime Minister. The People's Democratic Reform Committee organized another anti-Shinawatra protest, which ended with another coup"
"National Council for Peace and Order The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO; ; ; abbreviated (; ) ) is the military junta that has ruled Thailand since its 2014 Thai coup d'état on 22 May 2014. On 20 May 2014, the military had declared martial law nationwide in an attempt to stop the country's escalating political crisis, and to force the democratically elected government out. On 22 May, the military ousted the Yingluck Shinawatra government and formed the NCPO to take control of the country. The junta censored the broadcasting system in Thailand, suspended the constitution, and detained"
"Village Scouts Village Scouts (, ) is the common name of a right-wing, ultranationalist social movement and paramilitary militia of volunteers from rural Thailand. It is a countrywide organization that the King and Queen of Thailand have sponsored since 1972 in order to promote national unity. It was first founded by the Thai Border Patrol Police (BPP) under the aegis of the Ministry of Interior. The Village Scouts were mustered from 1971 on to fight the communist insurgency and the pro-democracy movement in Thailand as well as the progressive Farmers' Federation of Thailand. They were modelled on the ""grass roots"""
"including veterans of the Soviet war in Afghanistan. The BRN-Koordinasi is acknowledged as the group currently spearheading the insurgency in southern Thailand and is at the origin of the group known as Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) to which most violent attacks have been attributed in the last decade. The BRN-C sees no reason for negotiations and is against talks with other insurgent groups. The BRN-C has the vision of becoming a mass-organisation. It has as its immediate aim to make southern Thailand ungovernable, having largely been successful at it. The Pejuang Kemerdekaan Patani (Patani Independence Fighters) are the paramilitary wing"
"off parliament during the massive anti-government rallies in 2008. Critics and opponents inside and outside Thailand often express the suspicion that UDD's socially progressive platform and the organization as an independent NGO are only feigned to actually pursue the agenda of Thaksin and his entourage. The red shirt movement also publicly displays close and regular relations with Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, severely criticized for his political history (former Khmer Rouge captain, leader of the violent 1997 clashes in Cambodia) and accused by several NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, of antidemocratic, corrupt, and nepotistic practices during his reign. United Front"
"and the criminal justice system of Thailand. Abhisit's rise to power was controversial and opposed from the beginning. In April 2009, anti-government protesters, known as ""red shirts"", began a demonstration aimed at the resignation of the prime minister and fresh elections. The major site of the demonstration was Bangkok. From 8 April, the demonstrators spread their activities to significant locations such as major intersections. Streets were blocked and barricaded. The demonstration took place at the same time as the ASEAN summit in Pattaya. Demonstrators moved there to protest, aiming at disrupting the summit. Protesters stormed the site of the summit,"
"to serve Thaksinocracy in order to overthrow the Royal Family. In July 2015, a board member of Amnesty International Thailand was summoned from the police as a result of showing his support for 14 young activists in their rally against the junta. According to the police, he contravened against Article 116 of Thailand’s Criminal Code. In November 2016, Amnesty Thailand organized an event to screen a documentary ""White Shadow"" in collaboration with students from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University. Despite the local military's permission, the event was barred from the faculty’s Deputy Dean informing that the"
"as high as 200 billion Baht and resulting in 257,000 jobs lost. 2009 Thai political unrest A series of political demonstrations and following unrest occurred in Thailand from 26 March to 14 April 2009 in Bangkok and Pattaya against the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva and the military crackdown that followed. Up to 100,000 people demonstrated in central Bangkok at the height of the protests. On 17 December 2008, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, was named Prime Minister, after the Constitutional Court of Thailand banned then-Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five years. In March 2009, Thaksin Shinawatra"
"in politics, Pheu Thai campaigning for her with the slogan 'Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts'. Yingluck is the nation's first female prime minister and her role was officially endorsed in a ceremony presided over by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Pheu Thai Party is a continuation of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party. Protests recommenced in late 2013, as a broad alliance of protestors, led by former opposition deputy leader Suthep Thaugsuban, demanded an end to the so-called Thaksin regime. A blanket amnesty for people involved in the 2010 protests, altered at the last minute to include all political crimes – including"
"the junta rule in the country. During these protests, police detained more than 30 students and activists in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand, belonging to student groups and political groups like the Resistant Citizen and Dao Din. Accompanying these arrests were reports of unprovoked physical attacks from the police and detained students being denied access to lawyers. On 19 June 2015, the authorities officially called on students and activists who participated in the protests to report to the police with a warning that should they fail to do so, they will be arrested for violating the ban on any"
"the Thai state. Denied recognition as a culturally separate ethnic minority, Patani leaders reacted against the Thai government policy towards them and a nationalist movement began to grow, leading to the South Thailand insurgency. Initially the goal of the nationalist movement such as the Patani United Liberation Organisation (PULO) was secession, pursuing an armed struggle towards an independent state where Patani people could live with dignity without having alien cultural values imposed on them. After 2001, the Patani insurgency was taken over by groups whose leaders are mainly Salafist religious teachers who have promoted religion, rejecting the nation-building ideology of"
"People's Democratic Reform Committee The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) or People's Committee for Absolute Democracy with the King as Head of State (PCAD) (, กปปส., literally ""people's committee for changing Thailand into a complete democracy with the king as head of state"") was an umbrella political pressure group in Thailand, aimed at removing the influence of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from Thai politics and achieve political reforms by an unelected 'People's Council'. The group played a leading role in the 2013–14 Thai political crisis, organising large-scale protests within Bangkok. The group was formed on 29 November 2013 by protest"
"content was too sensitive for the current situation in the country even though it focused on albinos body parts hunting in Malawi. Amnesty International Thailand Amnesty International Thailand (also known as Amnesty Thailand and AI Thailand) is a non-governmental organisation focused on the protection of human rights in Thailand and worldwide with more than 1,000 members across Thailand. Amnesty Thailand is one of more than 50 sections that make up Amnesty International worldwide. Amnesty International, as a whole, is an organization of more than 7 million supporters, activists and volunteers in over 150 countries, with complete independence from government, corporate"
"to the Thaksin regime. A blanket amnesty for people involved in the 2010 protests, altered at the last minute to include all political crimes, including all convictions against Thaksin, triggered a mass show of discontent, with numbers variously estimated between 98,500 (the police) and 400,000 (an aerial photo survey done by the ""Bangkok Post""), taking to the streets. The Senate was urged to reject the bill to quell the reaction, but the measure failed. A newly named group, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) along with allied groups, escalated the pressure, with the opposition Democrat party resigning en masse to"
"and international institutions. The Third Force and its supporters, especially the academics, are targets of criticism from more hardline pro-democracy activists and organisations. Their stance on engagement and sanctions have been denounced by certain prominent political players as ""naive and stupid"". Third Force (Myanmar) The Third Force is an informal group name given to a collection of political parties and local non-governmental organisations operating inside Burma (also known as Myanmar). It was used mainly in relation with the 2010 general elections. Although campaigning for improvement of living conditions and for democratic change inside the country, the Third Force is seen"
"as more recently the 2012 Southern Thailand bombings. Gerakan Mujahidin Islam Patani The Pattani Islamic Mujahideen Movement (; GMIP) is an Islamic insurgent movement that has carried out violent actions as part of the protracted insurgency in Southern Thailand. GMIP is hostile to the practices of moderate Malay Muslims, accusing them of being un-Islamic. It is one of the most extreme terrorist groups currently operating in Southern Thailand. A shadowy leader named 'Jehkumir Kuteh' or 'Abdul Rahman Ahmad', among other names, was assumed at a certain point to lead the group, and Thailand's prime minister demanded from Malaysia his extradition"
"government. The Democrats' populist platform was poorly received in the central, north, and northeastern regions. The Democrat Party became the opposition party as it was the second-largest party in the House of Representatives. The People's Alliance for Democracy resurfaced to destabilize the People's Power government, after having gone dormant following the 2006 coup. Several Democrat Party leaders allied themselves with PAD in the subsequent 2008–2010 Thai political crisis. PAD organized extended street protests and later led a months-long seizure of Government House, the seat of Thai government. In November 2008, PAD supporters seized and occupied Don Muang Airport and Suvarnabhumi"