PAD « Thai Political Facts Info

PAD

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The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) also called the National Liberation Alliance (กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ), the National Liberation Party (พลพรรคกู้ชาติ), and the Yellow Shirts (คนเสื้อเหลือง) was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand.

The PAD has its source in weekly public tapings of Sondhi Limthongkul’s weekly political talk show ‘Muang Thai Rai Sapda’ (Thailand Weekly). Attendance grew after the talkshow was dropped by MCOT Channel 9 and Sondhi started webcasting the show on his website. As the tone grew more controversial, the tapings gradually turned into protests against the government. The PAD was formally established on February 8, 2006, after Thaksin’s family sold shares in Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings. The PAD saw the transactions as a proof of a conflict of interest.

L-R, Sondhi Limthongkul, Major General Chamlong Srimuang, Phiphob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuuk, Somkeit Pongpaibul

PAD five leaders include

media-mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, Major General Chamlong Srimuang a controversial Thai ativist and former politian, Somsak Kosaisuuk, the former ISOC leader and activist Phiphob Thongchai, and the lecturer at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Somkeit Pongpaibul.

PAD leaders 2nd (L-R) Sumran Rodpech, Maleerat Kaewka, Sarunyu Wongkrajang, Sawit Keawwan, Sirichai Maingam

The PAD members consist of middle and upper-class Bangkokians and Southerners, supported by the conservative elite, factions of the Thai Army, and state-enterprise labor unions.