To analyze the conflict in terms of class struggle may not be correct. In Thai society, the class system is not rigid as social mobility is rather fluid. One can move from the lower stratum to an upper one without difficulties. Thus, Thailand has not witnessed class conflicts which would lead to political violence or a mass uprising. In addition, those who are in anti and pro Thaksin movements have come from various social and economic strata. Although the urban middle class people are in the anti-Thaksin group, there are also a number of rural people in it. Regarding the pro Thaksin movement, despite the fact that a large number of supporters came from rural areas in the north and northeast, the movement is able to draw support from some urban middle class people too. The issue involved in the conflict is not class interests but rather a political one centered around Thaksin. Those who are anti Thaksin believe that Thaksin is corrupt, anti-monarchy and likely to become an authoritarian ruler if he is able to come back. The objective of the pro-Thaksin group is to bring the former prime minister back to power. The attack on General Prem Tinasulanond, the President of Privy Council, and the present political system which the pro-Thaksin movement’s leaders have labeled as a ‘bureaucratic polity’ may be ideologically inclined, but most of the rural supporters joined the movement because they simply want Thaksin to come back so as to respond favorably to their “mouth and stomach” concerns. Where does the King stand in this conflict? The monarch has been very careful not to do anything unconstitutional. At the peak of the crisis from October to November 2008 when there was a violent suppression or the anti-Thaksin protesters in front of the parliament and their occupation of Suvarnaphumi airport (where there was no government suppression), some wanted the King to intervene. The King did not indulge their wish, but let the constitutional processes run its course.
To analyze the conflict in terms of class struggle may not be correct. In Thai society, the class system is not rigid as social mobility is rather fluid. One can move from the lower stratum to an upper one without difficulties. Thus, Thailand has not witnessed class conflicts which would lead to political violence or a mass uprising. In addition, those who are in anti and pro Thaksin movements have come from various social and economic strata. Although the urban middle class people are in the anti-Thaksin group, there are also a number of rural people in it. Regarding the pro Thaksin movement, despite the fact that a large number of supporters came from rural areas in the north and northeast, the movement is able to draw support from some urban middle class people too. The issue involved in the conflict is not class interests but rather a political one centered around Thaksin. Those who are anti Thaksin believe that Thaksin is corrupt, anti-monarchy and likely to become an authoritarian ruler if he is able to come back. The objective of the pro-Thaksin group is to bring the former prime minister back to power. The attack on General Prem Tinasulanond, the President of Privy Council, and the present political system which the pro-Thaksin movement’s leaders have labeled as a ‘bureaucratic polity’ may be ideologically inclined, but most of the rural supporters joined the movement because they simply want Thaksin to come back so as to respond favorably to their “mouth and stomach” concerns. Where does the King stand in this conflict? The monarch has been very careful not to do anything unconstitutional. At the peak of the crisis from October to November 2008 when there was a violent suppression or the anti-Thaksin protesters in front of the parliament and their occupation of Suvarnaphumi airport (where there was no government suppression), some wanted the King to intervene. The King did not indulge their wish, but let the constitutional processes run its course.
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