Thai Political Crisis (2013-)

The 2013–14 Thai political crisis was a period of political instability in Thailand. Anti-government protests took place between November 2013 and May 2014, organised by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), a political pressure group set up and led by former Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban. The protests eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a coup d'état and the establishment of a military junta.

Deeply divisive in Thailand, the primary aim of the protests was the removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence on Thai politics and the creation of an unelected "people's council" to oversee reforms of the political system. Protesters viewed Thaksin as highly corrupt and damaging to Thailand's democracy, although he enjoyed strong support in many areas of Thailand, particularly the poorer north, due to his reforming social programs and economic policies. Political parties allied to Thaksin have won a majority in every election since 2001. Other issues, such as the royal succession, a rural-urban or north-south divide, social inequality, over-centralised bureaucracy, royal and military influence in politics and middle-class status have also been seen as factors behind the crisis by analysts and commentators.

Anti-Gov Protest Leader, Bangkok Thailand, December 2013

Taken on: 2013-12-15
Source: VOA

Guarding MoE, Bangkok Thailand, December 2013

Taken on: 2013-12-01
Source: ilf_/Wikipedia

Protesters on Motorcycles, Bangkok Thailand, December 2013

Taken on: 2013-12-01
Source: ilf_/Wikipedia

Anti-Government Protesters, Bangkok Thailand, November 2013

Taken on: 2013-11-30
Source: Gelbhemden-Demo

Demonstration at MoL, Bangkok Thailand, November 2013

Taken on: 2013-11-27
Source: Hawkeye7/Wikipedia

Road Block, Bangkok Thailand, November 2013

Taken on: 2013-11-27
Source: Hawkeye7/Wikipedia

Protesters at Democracy Memorial, Bangkok Thailand, November 2013

Taken on: 2013-11-20
Source: Maxim B.