People's Democratic Reform Committee

People's Democratic Reform Committee
คณะกรรมการประชาชนเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็นประชาธิปไตยที่สมบูรณ์ อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข
Abbreviation PDRC; กปปส.
Formation 29 October 2013 (2013-10-29)
Extinction 24 May 2014 (2014-05-24)
Type Ultra-Royalists
Ultra-Conservative
Far Right
Legal status Defunct[1]
Purpose Removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence on Thai politics
Political reform (before election)
Location
Region served
 Thailand
Membership
  • Former members of the Democrat Party [2]
  • Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NPRST)[3]
  • The PAD rebranded as the "People's Movement to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime" (Pefot)[4]
  • Dharma Army [5]
Secretary-General
 Suthep Thaugsuban
Budget
 >10 million Thai Baht daily (January 2014 estimate)[6]

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) or People's Committee for Absolute Democracy with the King as Head of State (PCAD)[7][8] (Thai: คณะกรรมการประชาชนเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็นประชาธิปไตยที่สมบูรณ์ อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข, 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,[7] aimed at removing the influence of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from Thai politics and achieve political reforms by an unelected 'People's Council'.[9] 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 leader and former Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban, who appointed himself as secretary-general.[9] The movement was supported by various organisations including the Democrat Party, the People's Alliance for Democracy (a coalition of opposition to Thaksin), student activist groups, state worker's unions and pro-military groups.[4] The PDRC's support stemmed mostly from affluent Bangkokians and Southerners.[10] Whistle-blowing was a central symbol of the protests.[11]

By accusing the government of lacking any legitimacy, Suthep Thaugsuban announced the intention of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to take back sovereign power from the government and proceed with national reform through a non-elected royalist council, in order to "eradicate" the "Thaksin regime".[12][13] 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".[14] 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.[15][16]

The ultimate goal of the PDRC was to have the prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign as the head of the caretaker government[17] in order to allow a power vacuum[18] then invoke article 3[text 1] and article 7[text 2] of the 2007 Constitution.[19][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.[1]

Formation and Role in 2013-14 Political Crisis

Thai politics has been characterized by shows of popular force; mass yellow-shirt protests immediately preceded the 2006 coup, and a 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 that loathe the ruling Pheu Thai party decide to take their fight to the streets of Bangkok.[22] The object of their ire is a proposed amnesty bill aimed to reconcile differences between both groups that would have pardoned Thai politicians Abhisit Vejjajiva, Suthep Thaugsuban over murder charges.[23] However, protesters believe that it could be a backdoor attempt to allow Thaksin Shinawatra to return home after a self-imposed exile without facing a corruption conviction.[24] 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.[25]

On 20 November the Constitutional Court ruled that a government-proposed amendment to the 2007 constitution that would have made the Senate a fully elected body was invalid.[26][27] 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 states that elections must be held 45 to 60 days from the date that parliament is dissolved. The People's Democratic Reform Committee opposed the election announcement and stated that it would boycott the process.

Despite the private sector,[28] military[29] and caretaker government[30] attempt to find a solution to the crisis, The PDRC leader said he would not negotiate with the government or the military or any mediator but he would fight until the people achieve PDRC's goal to have a royally appointed people council to conduct reform before the election to eradicate the "Thaksin regime".[31][32]

Organizations aligned with the PDRC

Leaders

Notes

  1. ↑ "The sovereign power belongs to the Thai people. The King as Head of State shall exercise such power through the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution."
  2. ↑ "Whenever no provision under this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the constitutional convention in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State."

References

  1. 1 2 "Suthep freed, charged with rebellion". Bangkok Post. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Thai Opposition Party Supports Protests Seeking PM Ouster". Bloomberg News. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 Saiyasombut & Siam Voices, Saksith (15 January 2014). "Organized chaos: Thai anti-election protesters' hardline faction". Asiancorrespondent. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Aim Sinpeng (30 November 2013). "Who's who in Thailand's anti-government forces?". New Mandala (Australian National University (ANU)). Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Suthep declares 'people's revolt'". Bangkok Post. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  6. ↑ Hataikarn, Treesuwan (17 January 2014). "PDRC spending more than Bt10 million a day". The Nation. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Khaosod English's Note On Translation Of Anti-Govt Leadership". Khaosod English. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "The show must go on". The Economist. 29 January 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Suthep declares 'people's revolt'". Bangkok Post. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  10. ↑ Galache, Carlos (17 January 2014). "No end in sight to Thailand turmoil". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  11. ↑ Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol (7 November 2013). "Whistle Blowers Call Time Out on Amnesty Bill". The Wall Street Journal Southeast Asia Real Time. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "Suthep again targets 'Thaksin regime'". Bangkok Post. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  13. ↑ Charlie, Campbell (28 November 2013). "Thailand's Democrat Party Is Hilariously Misnamed". Time. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "Thai protest leader explains demand for 'people's council'". English.news.cn. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Special Report: A nation at the crossroads". Phuket News. 5 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "Supreme commander agrees to meet Suthep". Bangkok Post. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  17. ↑ The Associated Press (9 December 2013). "Thailand PM Yingluck Shinawatra won't resign before elections". CBC news. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Thai premier dissolves parliament, protests continue". London South East. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Pakorn, Peungnetr (6 December 2013). "Article 7 'can work'". The Nation. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  20. ↑ (PDF) http://www.nhrc.or.th/2012/wb/img_contentpage_attachment/474_file_name_7532.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ 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] (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  22. ↑ "Thailand opposition to protest amnesty bill". BBC News. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  23. ↑ "Ex-Thai PM Abhisit and Former Deputy Charged With Murder". Time. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  24. ↑ "Protests as Thailand senators debate amnesty bill". The Guardian. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  25. ↑ "Thailand: anti-Thaksin protesters set new targets after amnesty bill defeat". The Guardian. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  26. ↑ Ungpakorn, Giles. "The 19th August Constitutional Referendum Process is Undemocratic". Prachatai English. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  27. ↑ "Thailand Constitutional Court rejects Senate amendments". BBC News. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  28. ↑ "Business wants executive decree on reform". Bangkok Post. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  29. ↑ James, Hookway (15 December 2013). "Thailand's Army Tries On Role of Peacemaker". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Suthep rejects proposed talk on election postponement". Thai PBS. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  31. ↑ Carlos, Sardina Galache (17 January 2014). "No end in sight to Thailand turmoil". Aljazeera. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  32. ↑ Amy, Sawitta Lefevre, Reuters (12 January 2014). "'People cannot negotiate': Anti-government protesters threaten to shut down Bangkok". NBC News. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "Thailand's main political parties". Aljazeera. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  34. ↑ Buranakanokthanasan, Wirat (21 December 2013). "Thai opposition party to boycott election". Reuters. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  35. ↑ "AeroThai and SET are in protesters' sights". nation multimedia. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  36. ↑ IHT, Protesters face police in Thailand, 28 August 2008
  37. ↑ Asian Times, Thai protests turn nasty, 27 August 2008
  38. ↑ "Dharma Army out of the shadows". The Nation. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  39. ↑ Nirmal Ghosh (24 April 2014). "Militancy rising amid Thai political stalemate". Asia News Network. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  40. ↑ Alan Dawson (27 April 2014). "The Big Issue: Redefining Defamation". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 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.
  41. ↑ "RCO plays down militancy". Bangkok Post. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014. The doctor is a staunch supporter of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee led by Suthep Thaugsuban.
  42. ↑ "Army's job to defend ‘rubbish collector". bangkok post. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  43. ↑ Amy Sawitta Lefevre (24 April 2014), Thai opposition leader seeks compromise to avert bloodshed, Reuters
  44. ↑ Atiya Achakulwisut (22 April 2014), "No such thing as a ‘clean’ witch-hunt", Bangkok Post
  45. ↑ John Draper (28 April 2014), "Steady rise of fascism here is terrifying", Bangkok Post
  46. ↑ "Luang Pu Buddha Issara Arrest Authorized In Thailand: Senior Buddhist Monk May Be Defrocked". Huffingtonpost. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  47. ↑ "Chitpas explains", Bangkok Post, 27 February 2014
  48. ↑ Court accepts protesters' petition against DSI chief for malfeasance, MCOT FM 95, 30 January 2014
  49. ↑ "Army's old guard to join anti-govt push", Bangkok Post, 21 December 2013
  50. ↑ "PDRC protest leader accused of 'anti-foreigner' slur", Bangkok Post, 15 January 2014
  51. ↑ "บ้านสมเด็จ'เปิดค่ายเพลง'โชว์พราวละครเวที...", Kom Chad Luek, 13 March 2013
  52. ↑ นิสิตนิเทศศาสตร์รับรางวัล อีซูซุ...การตลาดรอบทิศแนวคิดใหม่, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, 14 March 2011
  53. ↑ Kesinee Taengkhiao (25 February 2014), "DSI's push for arrest warrants rejected", The Nation
  54. ↑ Hataikarn Treesuwan (19 February 2014), "PDRC keep communication low-tech for security", The Nation
  55. ↑ "Police will seek detention of Sonthiyarn on treason charge : DSI", The Nation, 14 February 2014
  56. 1 2 "Anger and violence rock voting in capital, South", The Nation, 27 January 2014
  57. ↑ PDRC rejects government’s reform council proposal, Thai PBS, 25 December 2013
  58. ↑ "PDRC takes emergency law to court". Bangkokpost. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  59. ↑ "DSI seeking arrest warrants for 33 more protesters". Pattaya Mail. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  60. ↑ "PDRC co-leader nabbed at airport". Bangkok Post. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
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