Thai students back on the streets

Authorities have also started a propaganda war against student groups. One group, Free Youth was heavily criticized for their new logo last Novembers, with R and T, for reset Thailand, resembling a communist sickle on a red background. Pro-establishment media played up an incident, after a protest on 6^th March claimed 90 police were injured and one officer died of a stroke. Ultra-royalist circles are claiming third parties are involved and controlling the student movement, although offering no evidence.

The younger Thai generation doesn’t identify with past political groups. They have a completely different vision for Thailand, which doesn’t include being led by the old establishment. They are seeking change in the very heart of the establishment, something political parties would not dare to talk about in the past. Student demands are centred on seeking change in the political system that keeps the elite in power. With parliament unable to deal with these issues, and the failure of non-violent mass protests last year to bring change, a new and more militant chapter in the student protest movement is beginning.

The Covid pandemic, emergency laws, and fear of arrest is keeping student numbers down on the streets, where they are numerically outnumbered by riot police. General support for the student movement is not forthcoming, as the spirit of the old red shirt movement has been totally decimated by the military a decade ago. New allies, like Thanathorn has been banned, where he may only make a cameo appearance on a skateboard at some demonstrations.

In consequence, the hardline student splinter groups are now turning to more direct action, as their strategy against authorities. They are intent on testing the resolve of the authorities, while the authorities are now intent on breaking the spirit of the protestors through harsh action on the streets, and arresting all the ringleaders of the student movement.

This one year old movement has shown the consequences of eliminating political voices within the country. The dissolution of Future Forward triggered a much wider political movement within the young generation. This generation has seen the change in Thailand’s political system from a haphazard democracy during the Taksin years, two military coups, and a pseudo-democracy which serves the interests of the establishment. The hardline stance the authorities are taking against those criticizing the monarchy will either bring absolute fear into those tempted criticize, or open a pandora’s box that cannot be closed.