In a series of blogs I wrote earlier this year I argued that for those who support progressive change in Thailand, a split in the reds should be welcomed:

A progressive outcome will not occur through the ascendancy of the Red Shirts’ pro-Thaksin leadership. This element has shown their reactionary nature in the past with the right wing measures carried out by the former Thaksin led government. This government was conspicuous for its record of human right abuses including a curtailing of press freedom, attacks on Muslims in the South and with its ‘war on drugs’. Coupled with these abuses, the Thai Rak Thai government implemented a neo-liberal agenda which put it in direct conflict with public sector unions.

It is understandable that tens of thousands of Thailand’s poor have aligned themselves with the ‘Red’ movement that calls for the defence of social welfare initiatives as well as for a ‘peoples revolution’ against the traditional elite. However, for there to be a progressive outcome to the current conflict the Red Shirts need to split along class and political lines. The Thai left’s break with Thaksin would indicate a clear rejection of his rightwing populist politics and allow for a fuller engagement with the disenfranchised working class.

I always found Jakrapob’s critique of the patronage system ‘amusing’, whilst he was a clear beneficiary of Thaksin’s patronage.

Nice blog – look for ward to more after your break.