As for hot topic items, this one is at the top of the list. With the increased mention of anti monarchy movement being mention in the news, and obvious signs that it does exist, Connecting the Dots decided to see just what type of people it would take to move against their King and why.
Disclaimer: This story focuses on the people who would be seen as anti monarchy and not the monarchy itself. Mentions of the monarchy are only meant to clarify and identify specific things (dots) that have been observed and not things that are being predicted. Connecting the Dots greatly respects the King and places him in the highest regard. Few if any have matched his caring and contributions to the Thai people. The King has also given hope, motivation, and guidance to the Thai people that is unmatched by any.
When you look at the anti monarchy movement as a whole, the very first reaction people have depends on how familiar they are with the story of how the King changed Thailand by helping to change parched dry soil into fertile farmland that produces the best rice in the world. The act of turning nothing into something truly is on par with the story of the Goose that laid the Golden eggs. People that are not familiar with the King and his love and caring for the Thai people, the anti monarchy movement would likely be seen as an insignificant local issue and would more than likely be forgotten in a few minutes. For the people that are familiar with the King and his contributions, they would find this movement disturbing and the least to extremely offensive at the other end of the reaction scale.
As for when the first indications of when the seeds of the anti monarchy movement were sown seems to be in 2005. There were a series of events that suggested there was building conflict between some members of government and members of the Privy Counsel. The Thaksin government was undertaking a very ambitious and methodical task of dismantling democracy, and removing all the checks and balances and consolidating power with then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
It would seem swords were drawn beneath the surface, and an exchange ensued leaving the government participants wounded in the battle. It was at that point based on Thaksin’s reactions that the Privy Counsel and ultimately the monarchy were seen as in his way and had to be dealt with one way or another. It was very clear to onlookers that Thaksin was clearly becoming increasingly frustrated as his self serving attempts were being put in the spotlight for all to see. Even the King’s 2005 annual birthday speech was seen by many as a dressing down of Thaksin.
The next obvious reaction was the attempt to make a villain out of the head of the Privy Counsel. That eventually evolved into physical attacks against the head of the Privy Counsel General Prem Tinsulanonda by Thaksin supporters. It was this group of supporters that would eventually become the Red Shirts. These early mobs that were on the attack were initially hired and for the moment that was fine for Thaksin, but based on the general condemnation of the attacks by people, it was clear persuasion was needed to convince more people to be against General Prem Tinsulanonda.
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