Investigating Thailand’s Traditional Sakdina System

[Indo-Siam]

I am extremely opposed to the orchestrated campaign of intimidation being waged by the leaders of the UDD. I understand that one cornerstone of their overall program has been a year-long political indoctrination campaign, designed to politically “awaken” rural and lower-class Thai cadres, and enlist their enthusiastic support for a populist political movement. By the words of the UDD leaders, they are specifically interested in promoting CLASS WARFARE - and I understand that their choice of words was very specific - using the wording for class WAR, not the wording for class STRUGGLE. To me, this constitutes prima facie evidence of sedition – which should clearly be illegal, and should be subject to unapologetic suppression, including by very harsh means.

Having waked down to Rajaprasong several times, and having watched many hours of Red Shirt TV and UDD TV, I have been bombarded by exposures to the UDD theme saga of the oppressed “prai” rising up against the oppressive “ammat”. The existence of this dichotomy has been relentlessly drummed into the heads of the masses of UDD supporters, as an unjust reality – a reality that they must overcome via political action – or (presumably) by violent class warfare, if that is what it takes.

So – it seemed like a good idea to go back and take a look at the historical context of the “prai” vs “ammat” characterizations.

It turns out that these terms arise from a very formal societal system that was codified in extreme detail back in what is called the Ayutthaya Period of Thai history, which lasted from 1351-1767 AD. The system persisted into the 1800’s, through the reign of King Rama II. If you spend some time Googling about the Sakdina system, what is interesting is that the term “prai” (or “phrai”) turns up everywhere, but there is almost no occurrence of the term “ammat.” Instead, what appears everywhere is the term “nai” or “mun nai” (or “munnai”). As best as I could determine from fairly shallow research, the total Thai population cir ca 1600 AD was about 2,000,000 persons, of which perhaps 2,000 were ammat (many members of Royal household?) , perhaps 200,000 were munnai, 800,000 were phrai (further subdivided into three classes), and the rest were below the phrai – as slaves. All free men between the ages of 18 and 60 were phrai. Another term for “phrai” was “lek".

Basically, the phrai were the lowest strata of free men, but each phrai had to align himself with a munnai, or “lord.” The phrai would actually be tattooed to show that they were subjects of a specific munnai – or – if they failed to do this, they would be considered renegades – who, if captured - would be sent to Ayutthaya to become direct servants of the King, and used for hard labor – such as to cut grass to feed Royal elephants..

This is all nice to know – but, so what? Well, the thing about being a phrai was that there were two big obligations that you accepted as a phrai. You either had to perform corvee labor (unpaid labor) for your munnai for six months or more per year, or you could buy your way out of such labor obligations by paying a tax in money or trade goods.

I’m not writing a sociology thesis, so I will just cut to the chase: The Sakdina system lives on today. It is the tradition that underpins all sorts of modern Thai practices - including the payment of “key money,” the concept of “bar fines” as a way of escaping labor, and the entire system of corruption that is pervasive throughout Thai government – from Police generals having to “purchase” their positions, to nightclub owners having to pay off the police, to raising political campaign contributions. These practices are all rooted in the “feudal” back-story of the sakdina system.

Which brings us back to the UDD – the former “Red Shirts” – who have been indoctrinated to think that they are the inheritors of the “phrai’ role, being oppressed by the “ammat” in Bangkok. They have been sold an illegitimate story. There are no longer forces in Bangkok that require free men to contribute their unpaid labor for six months per year, or who force them to pay tribute in cash or goods. Yes, there is income tax and VAT tax, and there is also military conscription (for two years service) – but these are common practices throughout the world, and are not specifically designed to selectively oppress the lower classes throughout their lifetimes. In the big scheme of things, the “ammat” have long ago stopped oppressing the “phrai.” But – what has persisted have been the “munnai” – the local lords, who still demand that the “phrai” show fealty, and who exploit the phrai.

The evidence is down at Rajaprasong. Depending on who you believe, the rural Red Shirts are not a paid “rent a mob”. What they are then is unpaid corvee labor, transported to Bangkok to work – unpaid – for weeks/months at a time – all to support the political aspirations of their munnai – those being the low-level village/tambon organizers who are definitely getting paid – and who serve as the poo yai bahn and similar, back in the provinces. And – ultimately – all the phrai are working for a few ammat – those being named Thaksin, Jutaporn, Nuttwat, Weng, Kittiya, Chavalit, etc.

The monied elite of Bangkok do not heavily depend upon sweat extracted from poor farmers - any more than do the elite of Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur, or Hong Kong. Money makes money for these people. But the strata that does ABSOLUTELY depend upon exploiting the rural poor are the local rural munnai – the community operatives of the UDD/PTP/TRT. These munnai are absolutely dependent upon ensuring that the fortunes of the phrai beneath them never elevate the phrai to the point where they no longer need to patronize the local munnai.

It is the UDD/Red Shirt leaders who are the cruel exploiters – who depend upon keeping the poor in a poor state. That is their only source of power.

On this discussion board, there are many “lurkers”, disinterested in the political squabbling. Then there are the Red Shirt supporters. And, finally, there are those who the Red Shirt supporters view as being anti-Red Shirt. I think I know what the Red Shirt supporters are thinking, and it goes along these lines:

1. It is obvious that there is an unfair social system in Thailand, with rampant double-standards, and extreme inequality of both income and opportunity. This is bad, and because I am a good person, I want to see this unfair system improved.

2. The current conflict is very clear – the oppressed Red Shirt people have rightfully and courageously come to Bangkok to stand up for their rights, throw off the yoke of oppression , and begin the process of correcting the system of inequality. Because I sympathize with their goals, I have thrown my support behind this noble effort, and its courageous leaders.

3. I think that all the board members who oppose this valiant Red Shirt struggle are cold, heartless people, who approve of the exploitation of the poor rural peasants, and are only interested in perpetuating the current unjust system.

I think that I speak for many of those who oppose the Red Shirts in saying: you are wrong. I oppose the Red Shirt leaders and their tactics. But – at the bottom rung of the ladder, I see the same oppressed people that you see – and I sympathize with those downtrodden people, and I would very much like to see their lot improved. The difference between you and me is that you somehow see the Red Shirt leaders as having it as their goal to reshape the social, educational, and economic system in Thailand so as to benefit the rural underclass. I see nothing of the sort. The UDD leaders have no sincere concern for the poor, or downtrodden – for the phrai. The only concern of the UDD is to seize power – for their own greedy purposes. The phrai are simply a means to an end. They are unsophisticated – so they are easy to manipulate – to indoctrinate.

A few questions for supporters of the UDD:

Question: The Red Shirt leaders are all middle-aged or above –correct? How many times have you ever seen or heard of their spouses or children appearing at the Red Shirt rally sites? The answer is: never. There is danger in being part of an insurrectionist mob. That mob is really there for only two reasons – 1) to serve as human shields, to protect the core group of Red Shirt leaders from arrest or assassination, and 2) as “muscle” to carry out disruptive actions against symbols of authority. The Red Shirt leaders think nothing of risking rural “phrai” to carry out these tasks. But – they would NEVER risk having their own family members participate.

Question: Can you identify any specific UDD proposal for changes in laws, programs, or procedures – even one single SPECIFIC proposal for a new rule or regulation – that would do ANYTHING to improve the lot of the rural poor? We all know the lofty official social/political GOALS espoused by the UDD leaders- entailing democracy, economic equal opportunity, uniform and equal application of law to all persons in Thailand, irrespective of class, etc. Each and every one of the six stated objectives in the UDD program are noble – and each and every one of them is fully supported by the current sitting government. What is missing – TOTALLY - is any UDD action plan for specific processes, procedures, programs, and practices that they would propose as a means to bring about improvements in any of the six areas. The UDD has no plan – and also no intention – of putting in place any systemic changes, to improve opportunities for the lower economic classes in Thailand. Here is the very simple plan of the UDD:

1. Get the Democratic Party out of power, and get the PTP into power.

2. Give direct cash out through the spoils system to directly purchase the loyalty of grass roots voters.

3. Absolutely refrain from doing anything to systematically improve the ability of the lowest classes to take care of themselves. Do everything possible to keep them destitute and exploited and totally dependent upon the UDD party to keep the cash flowing to them. In this way, we create a permanent population of voters who are dependent upon keeping our party in power.

4. With our voter base assured, plunder the treasury, to the utmost of our ability

That’s pretty simple – it is the EXACT game plan that was executed by Mr. Thaksin and the TRT party. Thaksin’s “micro-loan” program was never a loan program. The cash was not dispensed at village-level with guidance to invest it capital improvements that could generate long-term return on investment – while also repaying the loan, so that the loan fund could become self-regenerating. Not a chance. The funds were dispensed at village level as pure political payola – here is money as a gift from TRT/Thasksin – have fun with it, and make sure you keep voting for TRT, so that we can keep getting more of such windfall cash. That is the way it happened – I saw it with my own eyes, at village level, up in Mukdahan province. True to form, TRT/Thaksin later forgave ALL the village micro-loans (what a surprise), as well as a second round of loans. Payola, pure and simple.

Question: What would it take, in terms of actions by the UDD protesters, to make you change your position, and say “Well, they have gone too far, and it is now time for them to cease and desist”? Shut down the airport? Invade and trash/firebomb Paragon and Central World? Disable the BTS and MRT systems? Shut down the electrical supply to Bangkok? Lynch Abhisit by hanging him from a lamppost, pouring gasoline on him, and setting him on fire? Just what the hel_l would it take for you to change you position?

What the Government needs to do is to design a program whereby they periodically insert into UDD/Red Shirt TV their own 10-minute educational broadcasts, to project to the rural audience some well-conceived rebuttals to the grossly one-sided vitrol being fed to them by the UDD leadership.

General overview of the Ayutthaya period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_Kingdom

Short overview: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Thai_Civiliza...he_Thai_Society

More detailed historical summation: http://books.google.com/books?id=qcwZ0IDhb...tem&f=false

Modern bribery in context of sakdina system: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/option/pri...hp?newsid=84464

Edited April 25, 2010 by Indo-Siam

[londonthai]

"using the wording for class WAR, not the wording for class STRUGGLE. To me, this constitutes prima facie evidence of sedition – which should clearly be illegal, and should be subject to unapologetic suppression, including by very harsh means."

be sure, that if the elits could, they would lock people up for much less than "class struggle", but than who will work in the factories and grow the rice? It's violence, which should not be permitted in a political discourse, but not words.

"class war" and "class struggle" are used interchangeably in the political literature. It's the meaning, which they carry, and not the word itself, which are important.

thai reds only recently has used "class war" as a slogan, they are far away from the socialist ideas, as we know them in the west.

Edited April 25, 2010 by londonthai

[meom]

"But the strata that does ABSOLUTELY depend upon exploiting the rural poor are the local rural munnai – the community operatives of the UDD/PTP/TRT. These munnai are absolutely dependent upon ensuring that the fortunes of the phrai beneath them never elevate the phrai to the point where they no longer need to patronize the local munnai.

It is the UDD/Red Shirt leaders who are the cruel exploiters – who depend upon keeping the poor in a poor state. That is their only source of power."

Wouldn't the same be applicable in democrat strongholds where the community operatives of the Democrats do basically the same?

Rural Thailand is bigger than Isaan and in the South for example the local Democrat big shots fill their pockets the same way.

[DP25]

Wow. I think this is the best post I've ever seen on Thai Visa. The post is extremely long and I think that's why there aren't more responses as people are too lazy to read through it, but it is something that everyone living in Thailand should take the time to read. This is one of the few guys who understands what is going on. Thank you for making the post.

[bino]

I concur 100% with DP25. Very excellent and thought provoking.

This should be required reading for all of the red shirt apologists.

[GungaDin]

Well penned and thoughtful.

Brilliant, should be pinned.

Redshit supporters will be squirming.

You just created the PP... The Payola Party.

[jazzbo]

Good one, Kuhn Steve... and you can read here the Red-Shirt demogogues' blueprint:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huey_Long

[jybkk]

Very very interesting post.

I'm sure many of TV posters share this view although few would be able to put it in such intelligible way.

This is not a class war, it is only about a feudal system trying to replace another. Many TV red-shirt supporters are too idealistic and see democracy where there's only deception and manipulation. They could be blamed for their naivety, but certainly not for their intentions.

The sad conclusion is that, regardless of who is going to be the winning side, nothing's going to fundamentally change here. This is why many of us think the current actions from the red shirts are only damaging. There's not going to be a better democracy after this, just a bigger death toll.

The only chance for Thailand is in the long-term, through the emergence of a political force placing integrity above everything, including money or power. Hopefully, after some time, seeing that none of the yellow or red side provides stability or fairness to this country, then the "silent majority" might start to take these weird uncorrupted guys seriously.

Maybe... in a few decades.

[GungaDin]

"thahan phran" aka Black Shirts

The sixth item is interesting.

[chantorn]

A word of warning.

Are you sure Thailand’s Traditional Sakdina System can be discuss in Thailand?

I don't like to see ThaiVisa in trouble.

Why don't you people learn the lesson of FCCT.

[chantorn]

"thahan phran" aka Black Shirts

The sixth item is interesting.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2007/08/24/1444/

You mean this one by ANU.edu.au ?

[philw]

Very very interesting post.

I'm sure many of TV posters share this view although few would be able to put it in such intelligible way.

This is not a class war, it is only about a feudal system trying to replace another. Many TV red-shirt supporters are too idealistic and see democracy where there's only deception and manipulation. They could be blamed for their naivety, but certainly not for their intentions.

The sad conclusion is that, regardless of who is going to be the winning side, nothing's going to fundamentally change here. This is why many of us think the current actions from the red shirts are only damaging. There's not going to be a better democracy after this, just a bigger death toll.

The only chance for Thailand is in the long-term, through the emergence of a political force placing integrity above everything, including money or power. Hopefully, after some time, seeing that none of the yellow or red side provides stability or fairness to this country, then the "silent majority" might start to take these weird uncorrupted guys seriously.

Maybe... in a few decades.

Excellent summation and sadly you are probably correct.

After 20 years living here, I have no optimism left.

The prognosis is not good.

Ph

[jybkk]

A word of warning.

Are you sure Thailand’s Traditional Sakdina System can be discuss in Thailand?

I don't like to see ThaiVisa in trouble.

Why don't you people learn the lesson of FCCT.

The OP is talking about local "lords" in the villages.

I don't see how this is related to any sensible matters that should not be discussed.

[stainlessbox]

Being one of silent "lurkers" for 4 years, I felt strongly compelled to post a reply that this is one of the best written post I've ever seen here...very though provoking, certainly helped me gather a new perspective on the current situation and have successfully "switch sides".

Thanks for the post, Indo-Siam.

[SomTumTiger]

Fantastic post. I'm sure the Reds will be along at any minute to p$ss on it, but until then, Bravo Sir!

[4223rhodes]

Good post!

[GungaDin]

"thahan phran" aka Black Shirts

The sixth item is interesting.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2007/08/24/1444/

You mean this one by ANU.edu.au ?

Nope, you need 2 hands to count to 6.

^^^ Good link though........ which reminded me of a link sent to me last week by a member.

RTP & Rangers websites, audio podcast . http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/podcasts/201...PS-Farrelly.mp3

Thailand on the verge, audio podcast . http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/podcasts/201...n-the-verge.mp3

surf & listen.

Edited April 26, 2010 by GungaDin

[londonthai]

This is not a class war, it is only about a feudal system trying to replace another. ... The only chance for Thailand is in the long-term, through the emergence of a political force placing integrity above everything, including money or power. Hopefully, after some time, seeing that none of the yellow or red side provides stability or fairness to this country, then the "silent majority" might start to take these weird uncorrupted guys seriously.

Maybe... in a few decades.

somehow it's part of the class struggle - between feudalism and aristocracy and modern, global capitalism with new money/new technologies. Working class, including peasants, are at this stage only pawns at the hands of the masters, but at the same time becoming politically aware.

this protests stir up political discussion and forward thinking in masses and this "silent majority" might start expressing themselves sooner than 20 year. They don't need professional politicians or even political party to represent them, they might be able to organise themselves democratically, without any leaders, through many other forms like trade unions, assosiacions, pressure groups - similarly, like people organise themselves in the west.

First, to sort out sakdina system on the ground level, where it's the most visible. The much stronger and deeper cast system in india was abolished, when masses started to fight with colonialists. Social issues are interconnected, change in one area leads to another.

you can even see, how much the western society changed socially, politically, economically within the last 50-60 years, since the end of the ww 2 - a very similar change is happening in thailand now.

it's still the beginning, and a lot to progress

[rick75]

To the O.P.

Great post however I think you are a little off the mark, there are 3 sides to this story and its not only the reds that have used the poor and down trodden to sure up support, thats how all this started one side did not like the way Taksin was using there power base.

The original coup that happened as a result of a group feeling that taksin was starting to overshaddow there good work and that was not ever going to be allowed to happen.

Edited April 26, 2010 by rick75

[jybkk]

This is not a class war, it is only about a feudal system trying to replace another. ... The only chance for Thailand is in the long-term, through the emergence of a political force placing integrity above everything, including money or power. Hopefully, after some time, seeing that none of the yellow or red side provides stability or fairness to this country, then the "silent majority" might start to take these weird uncorrupted guys seriously.

Maybe... in a few decades.

somehow it's part of the class struggle - between feudalism and aristocracy and modern, global capitalism with new money/new technologies. Working class, including peasants, are at this stage only pawns at the hands of the masters, but at the same time becoming politically aware.

this protests stir up political discussion and forward thinking in masses and this "silent majority" might start expressing themselves sooner than 20 year. They don't need professional politicians or even political party to represent them, they might be able to organise themselves democratically, without any leaders, through many other forms like trade unions, assosiacions, pressure groups - similarly, like people organise themselves in the west.

First, to sort out sakdina system on the ground level, where it's the most visible. The much stronger and deeper cast system in india was abolished, when masses started to fight with colonialists. Social issues are interconnected, change in one area leads to another.

you can even see, how much the western society changed socially, politically, economically within the last 50-60 years, since the end of the ww 2 - a very similar change is happening in thailand now.

it's still the beginning, and a lot to progress

I wish I was as optimistic as you about the outcome of these events.

I don't see any discussion going on here, just two sides busy indoctrinating their own troops while the leaders argue behind the scene to see who's going to get the biggest cut.

I don't believe Red Shirt's mob rule will bring any better political awareness than the Yellow shirt mob rule. I never heard Thais argue about policies, orientations or simply... the future.

This is why I believe this fight is sterile because it needs to be preceded by fundamental cultural changes.

[321niti123]

Their socialist idealism is propaganda from the leaders, and desire for the supporters. The leaders are part of the high elite and are probably using this conflict to gain some alternate goal. A lot of the protesters are genuinely for evening the classes but the leaders aren't allowing for negotiations and will only allow a Thaksin puppet or thaksin himself to govern this country, I sympathize for the protesters and despise 'Thaksin and the Gang'

[johnh101]

[Groongthep]

I'll agree that the OP has put together a well written post but it's logic is flawed and "facts" somewhat suspect.

The single most important reason the present situation exists is because the elites staged a military coup which removed from power a very popular although flawed leader who was democratically elected in a landslide victory and because that leader and his new and very foreign non-Thai concept of democracy threatened the elites traditional ruling position. It's as simple as that. If the elites wanted to get rid of Thaksin they should have done it right and run a candidate who actually had a platform of popular policies and convinced the majority of the population that he/she was better than Thaksin and removed him by use of the ballot box not the gun.

It was the injustice of the coup and the subsequent outlawing of the poor's political parties that caused the tremendous resentment you see in the red shirts today. As happens in any power vacuum the worst usually float to the top and that is what has happened within the red shirt movement. Same happened when the PAD was causing all the havoc, remember. Add to all this the fact that the poor have been portrayed as hillbillies and baffoons in the press and popular media for years and also regarded as such by the elites forever and you get the natural result of the anger being displayed by the red shirts today. When you've been insulted and suffered injustice long enough it's only human nature to eventually fight back.

While vestiges of the ancient sakdina system remain, the system as originally developed has been gone for decades (maybe centuries). The abuses perpetrated by the local headmen or munnai as the OP has described them have much more to do with plain old fashioned organized strong-armed corruption than they do with any ancient hierachy system.

The ruling coalition could have used their first year in power to introduce real change and fairness but instead they wasted the time demonizing Thaksin, taking him to trial in absentia and attempting to consolidate their power by pushing through a new constitution that conveniently makes it very difficult to remove them from power by any means other than force.

I am neither a red shirt or Abhisit supporter; the above is simply my observations on what is really happening, but it unfortunately appears that barring a miracle violence is the only outcome that's going to come out of the present situation.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Groongthep

[whiterussian]

Nice post, very interesting, thank you very much...

Here is the very simple plan of the UDD:

1. Get the Democratic Party out of power, and get the PTP into power. agree!

2. Give direct cash out through the spoils system to directly purchase the loyalty of grass roots voters. agree, but why can't the ammat do the same.. maybe in the form of projects otop style. The rational peasant will choose the best for his life, assuming he isnt a drunk and will piss it up the wall... but if you think that the peasant is incapable of being rational, then there is no hope for any system other than dictatorship, and reeducation. We could train some youth corps to teach the older generations!

3. Absolutely refrain from doing anything to systematically improve the ability of the lowest classes to take care of themselves. Do everything possible to keep them destitute and exploited and totally dependent upon the UDD party to keep the cash flowing to them. In this way, we create a permanent population of voters who are dependent upon keeping our party in power. I thought Thaksin's projects competed with other 'projects', either way.. projects are good!, this statement is rather wooly. Maybe you could apply it to the elected officials and executive

4. With our voter base assured, plunder the treasury, to the utmost of our ability. The army just awarded themselves a large slice of the treasury... to modernise.. to fight... er.. other Thai's! Corporation tax has decreased, which is nice for the big boys. As for the rest... the Thai's need transparency, and some honest civil servants... and a free media, and exile for all Thai pop bands and soap opera divas

Don't like the fascist PAD. Dont like the radical reds... but at least the reds played by the rule of law... until jackbooted out of power. Hopefully the reds will win, do a shit job, and be voted out. Otherwise, no point having elections.. lets just keep it a military backed government and hope the top guns don't get greedy, or fall out with each other! Tha Thai's can vote for pop idol instead.!

Edited April 26, 2010 by whiterussian

[longway]

A great OP.

[lannarebirth]

To the O.P.

Great post however I think you are a little off the mark, there are 3 sides to this story and its not only the reds that have used the poor and down trodden to sure up support, thats how all this started one side did not like the way Taksin was using there power base.

The original coup that happened as a result of a group feeling that taksin was starting to overshaddow there good work and that was not ever going to be allowed to happen.

That isn't even an approximation of the truth unless by "overshadow their good work" you mean democracy itself.

[rick75]

What I mean that there is a group whose main interest is keeping themselves in the mix, like in many Countries certain institutions have found themselves no longer relevant.

I am of the belief that this is what was well on its way to happening in Thailand, certain groups will go to extreme lengths to hold onto relevance and thus power and all the trappings this provides.

Thailands politics are very complicated and certain aspects can't ever be unravelled or spoken about.

[thaihome]

What I mean that there is a group whose main interest is keeping themselves in the mix, like in many Countries certain institutions have found themselves no longer relevant.

I am of the belief that this is what was well on its way to happening in Thailand, certain groups will go to extreme lengths to hold onto relevance and thus power and all the trappings this provides.

Thailands politics are very complicated and certain aspects can't ever be unravelled or spoken about.

You are just trying the hide the truth by bringing us some shadowy group. The truth is it all about various factions jockeying for power.

But the fact remains, that until the rural poor break out of the cycle the local nai have them in, there will be no change. That does not happen by demonstrating in Bangkok, that happens by voting for candidates the truly represent them at home and not ones that are not picked for them. The problem becomes, that can be very bad for your health.

TH

[rick75]

Are you kidding me, the group are far from a shadowy group, I am currently in Australia and what is happening in Thailand is getting massive amounts of media exposure, we are able to see and discuss view points you are not. You are silly or naive to think that living in Thailand you are even remotely able to see a balanced view of current events.

[thaihome]

Are you kidding me, the group are far from a shadowy group, I am currently in Australia and what is happening in Thailand is getting massive amounts of media exposure, we are able to see and discuss view points you are not. You are silly or naive to think that living in Thailand you are even remotely able to see a balanced view of current events.

So, what some Aussie journalist says from his Sukhumvit barstool is more balanced then actual personal knowledge of upcountry politics and what this is actually about.

As Steve says, this is about upcountry godfathers fighting over the spoils of being in the government. It as nothing do with royal succession, it has nothing to do with some so-called Bangkok elite being taken down, it has nothing to with a class struggle. All these are just smokescreens put out by Thaksin PR firms and the western press is too lazy or too biased to actually investigate.

A few hints for the western press:

Go to Buriam or Suphanburi and ask if they are ok with the MP’s that were elected supporting the current government.

Go to Sa Keow and ask why nobody went to Bangkok when the redshirts recruiters came through.

Go to the redshirt rally in Bangkok and take a survey asking who their MP’s are.

Do some research on Newin Chidchob along with Banharn Silpa-archa, Suthep Thuagsuban, Pinij Jarusombat, Snoh Thiengthong, Somsak Thepsuthin, Suwat Liptapalop, as well Thaksin Shinawatra and see what kind of economic and political control they have over the people in the areas they dominate.

TH