The movement of Red Shirts was founded shortly after the 2006 coup that removed Thaksin from office following his second landslide election victory. The first campaign of the Red Shirts was focused on defending the 1997 people's constitution - the first in Thailand's history that was drafted in a popular, democratic manner with participation of elected officials from all the regions - against the imposition of the new 2007 constitution, drafted by handpicked people appointed by the military junta.

The grassroots growth of the Red Shirts rapidly increased the size and influence of the group following a series of repressive actions by the government. The country's most popular political party, Thai Rak Thai, was banned by a court ruling in 2007. The elected prime minister Samak Sundaravej was ousted from office for appearing on a cooking show. The People's Power Party, successor to Thai Rak Thai, was then also banned in 2008, and more than 100 democratically elected members of parliament were disqualified from politics for five years.

The understandable anger felt by many Thai citizens after seeing their popular will suppressed was underscored by systemic double standards exercised by the country's judicial system. One constitutional court judge who banned Samak also regularly did paid appearances on radio and taught at a private university.

When the pro-government elite movement, People's Alliance for Democracy, held disruptive rallies, invaded government buildings, and illegally occupied Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport in 2008, there was not one single arrest, trial or conviction. Instead, these same people are on television every day. In comparison, scores of Red Shirts have already been imprisoned, and those arrested in the most recent protests were processed and convicted in improbably swift trials.

It was all the more impressive that tens of thousands of these activists volunteered to sleep outside at the rally site in obvious discomfort, while risking their lives before the coming violence to make their point. They came to Bangkok to remind the ruling elites and the world that they also have constitutional rights as Thai citizens, that their votes should count too, no matter their level of wealth, class, and education.

But the distractions from these basic facts are numerous. The ruling military elite argues that the killing of almost 70 civilians (only one confirmed death of a military officer) over the past month is justified because they are armed - although most often with slingshots, homemade fireworks and bamboo sticks. The ruling military elite talks about the funding of the Red Shirts, as though these people are risking their lives for some reason other than the anger over having their votes stolen.

The unlawful deployment of force used by the Thai authorities against the protesters, their flip-flopping on the issues of elections and their unwillingness to meet the protesters' pleadings for negotiations to avoid violence speaks volumes about their legitimacy to govern.

But the facts speak for themselves, and the demands by the Red Shirts for new elections and real representative government must be dealt with in a sincere and orderly reconciliation effort.

Above all, the Red Shirts simply want the right to vote, have a say in who runs the country and how.

Taksin Shinawatra is a shamelessly corrupt man who bought votes to winn all the elections he took part in. Even his rise to incredible wealth in a relatively poor developing nation reeks of criminal corruption. Had he not been so greedy and corrupt, he could have done great things for the poor people in Thailand. Some of his populist policies could have given greater stability to this country of extremes of wealth.
The King has been the only force for good that has held the country, through one crisis after another. His personal interventions such as in 1992 have saved lives and resolved seemingly unsolvable conflicts. It is to be regretted that the King is not sufficiently healthy to rescue Thailand once again.
No! It is not the Monarchy which threatens the stability of Thailand it is the venal greed that pervades the politics of this beautiful country. British politicians take note!

dek moo - after the reds have had the results of 2 elections ignored or quashed by the military, why should they trust another one?

As another point, all references to corruption on Thaksin's part should also note that Abhisit's party is also charged with corruption and receiving illegal donations. Similarly any allegations Thaksin's human rights abuses should be suffixed with a recognition of Abhisit's scandalous treatment of refugees from Burma and Laos.

Neither side here can really claim to be the 'good guys'; however, one side has a democratic mandate.

Good article by the way; democracy can only wield so much power when there is perceived to be a higher authority outside of it.

if you like or not Democracy is supreme. Respect it. Let do new and independent election. Decide future.

The Thailand people must be granted their wish.If they wish Thaksin as its appears,whether he is corrupt or not ,so be it, so long as the election is free and fair.nobody has the right to impose a minority view over the majority.Kudos the rural folks of Thailand.Your article smirks of elitism which is anti-democracy.The King is not elected,he lacks legitimacy.

Thailand needs democracy; they won't call an election, as the current illegitimate government knows it will lose. I lived there while Thaksin was in power, no transparency like all the other politicians, not a nice guy. Nevertheless, he was elected, so I do approve of him, can't make up the rules as you go and have a coup every time you don't like a politician. Speak out on a site Newsbackatcha where there is no moderators and views are expressed immediately in dynamic graphs; revealing age, country, gender, religion and another 6 fields. all and all it gives you a great insight who is behind this madness

Is it not obvious that the King instigated the 2006 overthrow. A person was actually trying to help the tens of millions of poor Thais. Thaksin was the first person in 40 years who was becomming more popular than the king. And surprise, surprise; whisper, whisper, but dont mention my name bye and the military stepped in to defend the king.