THE new political movement by former leader of People’s Alliance for Democracy, aka “Yellow Shirts”, Sondhi Limthongkul under the concept of “Taking Back our Thailand” will likely attract five groups, former Democrat MP Thepthai Senapong said in a Facebook post today (Sep. 7), according to Naewna newspaper.
Sonthi said he is mobilising the public and escalating political activity to closely monitor the government and independent organisations, particularly the Election Commission over the handling of 2024’s senatorial rigging conspiracy with the agency due to announce on Sep. 14 whether criminal lawsuits against all or some of the suspects would be forwarded to the Supreme Court or perhaps prosecute none at all.
He blasted Bhumjaithai Party, core of the coalition government whose de facto boss is Newin Chidchob and led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, for allegedly being cunning and manipulative and allegedly failed to handle several issues such as energy prices, oil hoarding, flood relief efforts, corruption in the civil service, land ownership and foreign business activities.
“I want to gauge how dissatisfied the public is with the government’s performance. This isn’t a boxing match, but a platform where the public can express their desire to see a government upholding morality, honesty, courage, and adherence to the rule of law,” Sonthi said.
He cited the 5,000-rai Khao Kradong land in Buriram where Chang International Circuit and Chang Arena are located amid moves to see to it that it be duly returned to the State Railways of Thailand, supposedly being the owner of the property.
Sonthi added this movement is not merely a response to immediate political events but aims to urge society to examine the root causes of long-standing problems. He argued that while Thai politics has seen shifts in power and government, the networks of power and vested interests remain interconnected. He mentioned that he previously fought against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s government over various alleged issues and these similar problems have again cropped up.
This will begin with protests against Israeli groups and Chinese investment in Chonburi province, with the first action being on Thursday Sep. 10 when his group will submit a letter to the Israeli embassy and read out a powerful statement.
With Sonthi’s move attracting a lot of attention, Thepthai said there are both those who agree and disagree, and various analyses are being conducted about whether the rally will gain traction, and which groups of people will join it.
The former MP analysed that the following groups will likely participate in Sonthi’s movement:
1/ The original alliance or the Yellow Shirt group, who are Sondhi’s original supporters. This group remains loyal followers and is clearly committed to his movement. Every time he organises a rally or seminar, this group enthusiastically participates. Even though some are elderly or considerably older, they constitute his consistent mass base for demonstrations.
2/ The People’s Democratic Reform Committee, also known as the “Whistleblowers,” is currently fragmented and shows considerable ideological conflict. Some of the leaders have joined the “blue regime,” with this being Bhumjaithai’s colour, while some media figures and influencers continue to support the ruling camp. These are remnants from the group that supported former prime minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, or “Uncle Tu’s fans,” with Tu being Prayut’s nickname, who are now “Uncle Nu’s fans”, with Nu being Anutin’s nickname.
However, the majority of this group opposes the “blue regime,” viewing it as an opportunistic political clique that has projected itself as the leader of the conservative faction but lacks true conservatism. Therefore, those who disagree with the “blue regime,” primarily the original members, tend to join Sonthi’s rallies.
3/ The Red Shirt movement, or the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, although on the opposite side of Sonthi’s group and constantly at odds with them, has seen changes in the political landscape. Some of the Red Shirts remain Thaksin’s followers. Even as there are those who remain steadfastly loyal to Pheu Thai Party, which is a coalition partner, it is highly probable that, for the sake of collectively overthrowing the “blue regime” and for the indirect benefit to the Red Shirt movement, some Red Shirt groups might join this rally.
4/ The middle class, or those who previously supported the Democrat Party, have shifted their support to the Move Forward Party (now the People’s Party) due to the party’s decline and despair. While original “orange” supporters, with this being People’s Party colour, might not participate in Sondhi’s rally, middle-class individuals who joined the “orange” movement (though not staunchly “orange”) might do so. However, the original “orange” supporters might mobilise in a different way, as they do not support or agree with street politics.
5/ The general public, or “free citizens” or “independent people,” who have no affiliation, colour, or group, but are interested in politics or are swayed by the current political climate. Seeing the severity and escalating problems facing the country, such as the Senate election and the local government exam cheating scandals, they will likely join in.
However, Thepthai pointed out that the actual total number of supporters of Sonthi’s new movement depends on whether he can successfully raise issues that resonate with the masses.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Former leader of People’s Alliance for Democracy Sondhi Limthongkul.
Insert: Former Democrat MP Thepthai Senapong. Photo – Naenwa
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