"The red-shirt protesters who massed in Bangkok more than two months ago don't accept that they can be excluded from playing an active part in the modern life of the nation. They are angry because Mr. Thaksin was overthrown in a military coup in September 2006. And they are angry that their peaceful post-coup votes in 2007 were also disregarded when Mr. Thaksin's allies were forced out of government by the yellow-shirt occupation of Bangkok's airport and the Constitutional Court's dissolution of the governing party. They don't accept the legitimacy of the way current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was maneuvered into power by his royal, judicial and military backers. But most fundamentally, via the red shirts, rural Thailand is vigorously asserting its right to be represented in decision-making about the country's future development.
"In Thailand, iconic images of national unity often feature King Bhumibol Adulyadej dispensing royal wisdom and benevolence to crouching peasants. These images celebrate a model of elite patronage, with livelihood support wisely granted by the king and his loyal bureaucracy. These old ideas are certainly enduring, especially in Mr. Abhisit's staunchly royal governing party, but they have much less potency in the modern rural world of contract farming, off-farm employment and mobile phones.
Mr. Thaksin's populism encouraged new ways of thinking about power and participation. Mr. Abhisit may succeed in sweeping the red shirts out of Bangkok, but with the Thai understanding of legitimate power taking on a much more inclusive flavor, they will certainly be back."
Thailand's farmer's have stood up:
http://url4.eu/3Zg9i