The party in effect represents the Bangkok establishment—led by courtiers of the ailing king, Bhumibol Adulyadej—which ousted Mr Thaksin in a military coup. Through a mix of street protests, airport sieges and dubious court rulings the establishment twice saw off subsequent popular governments loyal to Mr Thaksin before installing the Democrat Party in office, under the youngish prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva. With mounting street violence, the army and police put down pro-Thaksin protests in 2010 in which dozens died. Having peered into the abyss of civil war, Mr Abhisit conceded the need for another election, the one which Ms Yingluck won. But the return to the streets of anti-Thaksin forces, led among others by Mr Abhisit, brings an uneasy sense of the cycle repeating itself.