For king and country the thai yellow shirts movement as a struggle for class recognition 1

“For King and Country”?:
The Thai Yellow Shirts Movement and
the Quest for Class Recognition

Submitted by:
Allan Lee
B.Soc.Sci (Hons), National University of Singapore

A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
(SOCIOLOGY)
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
2011


Acknowledgements
It is customary for one to acknowledge the people who have contributed in one way
or another towards the writing of oneʼs thesis. I do not think it is simply a ʻcustomʼ.
Instead, it is an expression of the deep gratitude one has for the people who have
been so supportive and encouraging along the way. Please pardon my indulgence…
I thank God for opening the door to me being in the Masters programme. To others, it
maybe ʻpolitical opportunity structureʼ, but to me, it was in Your hands; Jesus, my
best friend, for sustaining me through the long and arduous process of completing
this thesis. It was not easy, but Your faithfulness and grace has been more than
enough for me.
This thesis would not be possible without the help of the following people who have
dedicated much time and effort to reading my drafts and, more importantly, my
intellectual development:
A/P Eric Thompson and A/P Anne Raffin, for supervising my progress, reading
endless drafts of my writing and your valuable criticisms. Thank you for

encouragement and support along the way.
Prof Vedi Hadiz, for showing me how much I do not know and for developing in me
the interest for political sociology and social movements. Too bad you couldnʼt
corrupt me before you left.
Dr. Kurtulus Gemici and A/P Bruce Lockhart, for taking time to discuss my ideas and
contributing to my work even though you didnʼt have to at all.
A/P Ganapathy, your passion for teaching and the students has been my inspiration
as a TA. Above all, thank you for writing the letter of recommendation in my
application for Masters. I owe you too much. Thanks also to A/P Lian Kwen Fee for
introducing us to excellent makan places.
Dr. Kelvin Low, for the random chats along the corridor and your thoughts on the life
of an academic. Hope your couch will be well utilized.
Christopher N. Selvaraj, thanks for all the tea time conversations and being ever
willing to share the things youʼve been reading. The framework for this thesis would
not have been possible without your suggestion.
And other professors along the way that I may not have mentioned, you have all
been significant in my intellectual growth all these years.
To my cohort mates: Chris, Fadzli, Ryan, Lynette, Dean, Victoria, Hafizah, Wayne
and Hai Ha, it was a wonderful journey. Thanks for all the times of fun, laughter,
peace and joy. You guys have been wonderful people to hang out with. Thank you all
for being so willing to share and for brightening up my days during our ʻteaʼ. To
Oliver, Mark and the rest of the sOCi, thanks for your friendship, you guys are the
ones who help me stay in touch with the ʻreal worldʼ.
To the other graduate students in the Sociology Department, Arnab, Lionel, Bubbles,
Alvin, Hu Shu, etc, my sincerest apologies for not being able to name all of you but




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each and every one of you have made the last two years a lot more enjoyable and
bearable with the food, fun and laughter weʼve shared.
To the VCF postgraduate group and Mon CG, your prayers and fellowship have been
greatly appreciated. Also to my small group and friends in LWMC: Paul & Elsa, for
leading BS so faithfully, ensuring that I get my spiritual feeding; Rebecca, Vincent
and Hannes for always checking on my progress, holding me accountable for my
work and those meals at your home; Des and gang for the various ʻTYMCʼ sessions
that help feed this poor (and hungry) graduate student.
To Kien Ann, Kid and May: thanks for serving the Lord and for your company in
Thailand. My time in the field would not have been as smooth sailing and enjoyable
without your fellowship and support. To Evan, thanks for translating and transcribing
my interviews. I pray that God will continue to guide all of you in your ministry there.
To my Primers, you guys better grow up well.
Lastly, this thesis is specially dedicated to my family, who have stood by my side and
provided me with such loving encouragement and support: Papa, for always
checking on my health and financial status; Mama, for the breakfasts in the mornings
and helping me run small errands when you can; Mahmah, for the nutrition and love
that goes into your meals; my Uncles and Aunties for being so supportive and loving;
Edward, your wedding have allowed me to take an ʻenforcedʼ break along the way,
allowing me to work harder when I came back; Anthony, for showing and reminding
me how to walk with Christ. In loving memory of Ah Mah, who would have been
proud to see me graduate and produce this piece of work.




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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Abstract
Figures and Diagrams

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Chapter 1 - The Yellow Shirts Movement of Thailand
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Relevance to contemporary works
1.3 Statement of Problem and Thesis Statement
1.4 Contribution to knowledge
1.5 Scope of study
1.6 Methodology
1.7 Prospectus

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4
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Chapter 2 - Social Closure and Social Movements (in Thailand)
2.1 Introduction

2.2 Surveying the Literature: Social Movements in Thailand
2.3 The Thai ʻMiddle Classʼ
2.4 Class and Social Movements – Insights from Marx, Weber and Parkin
2.4.1 Marx – Class, Revolution and Social Movements
2.4.2 Weber – Class, Interest, Status Groups and Social Closure
2.4.3 Parkin – “Social Closure as Exclusion and Usurpation”
2.5 Social Closure and the People Alliance for Democracy
2.6 Social Movement Theories: Tools of Analysis
2.6.1 Resource Mobilization Theory
2.6.2 Political Opportunity
2.6.3 Grievances, Relative Deprivation Theory and Emotions
2.7 Conclusion: A Case of Social Closure

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Chapter 3 – Social Closure in Thailandʼs
3.1 Introduction

3.2 Thailandʼs Political History
3.2.1 1930s – 1950s: Fall of the Absolute Monarchy and the
Reign of the Military
3.2.2 1960s – 1971: The Rise of the Business group
and the Democratization of Thailand
3.2.3 The 1970s: Political Contestations
3.2.4 The 1980s: ʻDemocracyʼ under the Military
3.2.5 1990s: The shift towards civilian governments and
the 1997 Economic Crisis
3.2.6 Rise of Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party
3.3 The Formation of the PAD
3.3.1 Protests and the Ousting of Thaksin

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3.3.2 Protests against the People Power Party
3.3.3 Occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports
3.4 Conclusion: Recognizing the Historical Antecedents

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Chapter 4 – Uncovering the Motivations of Mobilization
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Incentives for Mobilization: Structural Change and Social Exclusion
4.2.1 Structural Change: Economic Depression and Dissent
4.2.2 Social Closure: Political, Economic and Social Exclusion
4.3 From Political Opportunity to Emotions
4.3.1 Emotions and Social Movements
4.3.2 Towards Mobilization: Hatred and Hope
4.4 Groups in the Middle Class: Interests and Emotions
4.5 Conclusion: From Closure to Emotions

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Chapter 5 – Mechanisms of Mobilization
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Frame Alignment and Mobilization
5.2.1 Framing Discourse: Mobilizing Fear and Hope
5.2.2 Colours, Identity and Boundary Work
5.2.3 Private Media: Information and Coordination
5.2.4 Mobilizing Discourse: Hope
5.2.5 Mobilizing Resources: Media
5.3 Conclusion: Inciting Emotions through Discourse

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Chapter 6- Conclusion

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References

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Abstract
Political conflict in Thailand is characterized by the frequent appearance of
social movements. In this vein, the series of confrontations between the Red
shirts and the Yellow shirts must be seen as a contemporary manifestation of
historically embedded struggles for power and recognition. While extensive work
has been done on the Red shirts movement, there is a significant dearth of work
on the Yellow-shirt movement. Accordingly, this thesis aims to contribute to the
literature on social movements in Thailand by providing a focused analysis of the
Yellow shirts movement. Next, scholarly work on Thai social movements has
tended to frame the movement, too often, as a product of intra-elite struggle.
While accurate, these explanations are insufficient in accounting for the
motivation behind the participantsʼ involvement. Furthermore, in conceptualizing
the movement as a ʻmiddle classʼ movement, we are caught in the process of
reifying ʻclassʼ as a social category. Thus, this thesis attempts to depart from the
common conceptualization of the Yellow shirts as a ʻmiddle classʼ movement.
Conversely, it emphasizes an analytical framework centered around an
understanding of “social closure” as the dynamic struggle between forces of
exclusion and monopolization on the one hand and the forces of usurpation and
opportunity hoarding on the other. In addition, this thesis highlights the
significance of emotions as both a motivation and resource for mobilization.
Drawing on a combination of qualitative methods of interviews as well as content
and discourse analyses, this thesis argues that recent Yellow shirts movement is
best understood as an attempt by various groups to counter and contest their
gradual economic, political and social exclusion by the Thai state and elites.




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Figures and Diagrams

Table A: List of Key Respondents

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Diagram 1.1: Classes in the Marxian perspective
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Diagram 1.2: Society/social stratum as consisting of several status groups 7

Figure 1.1: Thailand: Real GDP Growth Rate (Annual %), 1980 to 2008

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Table A: List of Key Respondents
Note: Names of all respondents have been changed to preserve their identity.

Case Respondent Age Gender

Occupation

Place of Residence

1

Pela

41

Male

Rentier

Bangkok

2

Pu

55

Male

Restaurant Owner

Khon Kaen

3

Ou

24

Female

Graduate

Bangkok

4

Sung

62

Female

Principal of Private
School

Khon Kaen

5

Tok

46

Male

Small Business

Owner

Khon Kaen

6

Silpa

26

Male

Hotelier

Bangkok

7

Cewai

58

Male

Teacher

Khon Kaen

8

Nan

31

Female

Real Estate Agent

Bangkok

9

En

45

Male

Businessman

Bangkok

10

Pa

38

Female

Medical Service
Personnel

Bangkok

11

Plar

30

Female

Executive

Bangkok

12

Hiw

57

Male

Trader

Khon Kaen

13

Nen

28

Male

Banker

Bangkok

14

Ern

29

Female

Investment Banker

Bangkok

15

Pim

34

Male

Fashion Designer

Bangkok




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