Protesting in Thailand has become a seasonal affair. Demands remain unclear, the outcome shadowed, the damage immense. In fact, the only feature of the protest clear to outsiders are the colours the protesters wear. The battle for Bangkok is between the Yellows and the Reds, the former Bangkok’s elite and the latter the country’s farmers. The recent debacle saw the Reds fighting for their constitutional rights, egged on by former prime minister Thaksin Sinawatra; their central grievance is that the will of the electorate has been constantly thwarted.

Since 2001 Thai politics has been dominated by the Thaksin’s cult-like following. A self-made millionaire, his policies were nevertheless more progressive than of those that came before him. His platform was populist; his target, the populous north and north-east. His economic programmes brought prosperity to the poor in Thailand and elevated him to a status hitherto unseen in Thai politics. And yet the “Golden Boy” of the Land of Smiles angered the old guard through a controversial sale of a state telecommunications company; and disappointing the Bangkok elite is political suicide. Quickly, his position deteriorated as embezzlement charges were levelled against him.

While attending a UN meeting in New York he was deposed in a coup d’etat — Thailand’s 18th such. His response: “I didn’t expect this incident would happen. I was prime minister when I came, and I was jobless on the way back.” This was not entirely true: he was jobless but very much in control behind the scenes. The people’s Thaksin-fever, thanks to his economic policies, ensured that only those with his tacit backing would get to the highest office. This has been the case over the past three years, as he has directed both Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat, one his chosen heir and the other his brother-in-law. The opposition managed to rally the Yellows into a frenzy, culminating in the removal of both through violent and damaging protests. However, it is widely accepted that should fresh elections be held Thaksin’s influence will continue to linger in Thai politics.

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