“For King and Country”?: The Thai Yellow Shirts Movement and the Quest for Class Recognition Submitted by: Allan Lee B.Soc.Sci (Hons), National University of Singapore A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (SOCIOLOGY) DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE 2011 Acknowledgements It is customary for one to acknowledge the people who have contributed in one way or another towards the writing of oneʼs thesis. I do not think it is simply a ʻcustomʼ. Instead, it is an expression of the deep gratitude one has for the people who have been so supportive and encouraging along the way. Please pardon my indulgence… I thank God for opening the door to me being in the Masters programme. To others, it maybe ʻpolitical opportunity structureʼ, but to me, it was in Your hands; Jesus, my best friend, for sustaining me through the long and arduous process of completing this thesis. It was not easy, but Your faithfulness and grace has been more than enough for me. This thesis would not be possible without the help of the following people who have dedicated much time and effort to reading my drafts and, more importantly, my intellectual development: A/P Eric Thompson and A/P Anne Raffin, for supervising my progress, reading endless drafts of my writing and your valuable criticisms. Thank you for encouragement and support along the way. Prof Vedi Hadiz, for showing me how much I do not know and for developing in me the interest for political sociology and social movements. Too bad you couldnʼt corrupt me before you left. Dr. Kurtulus Gemici and A/P Bruce Lockhart, for taking time to discuss my ideas and contributing to my work even though you didnʼt have to at all. A/P Ganapathy, your passion for teaching and the students has been my inspiration as a TA. Above all, thank you for writing the letter of recommendation in my application for Masters. I owe you too much. Thanks also to A/P Lian Kwen Fee for introducing us to excellent makan places. Dr. Kelvin Low, for the random chats along the corridor and your thoughts on the life of an academic. Hope your couch will be well utilized. Christopher N. Selvaraj, thanks for all the tea time conversations and being ever willing to share the things youʼve been reading. The framework for this thesis would not have been possible without your suggestion. And other professors along the way that I may not have mentioned, you have all been significant in my intellectual growth all these years. To my cohort mates: Chris, Fadzli, Ryan, Lynette, Dean, Victoria, Hafizah, Wayne and Hai Ha, it was a wonderful journey. Thanks for all the times of fun, laughter, peace and joy. You guys have been wonderful people to hang out with. Thank you all for being so willing to share and for brightening up my days during our ʻteaʼ. To Oliver, Mark and the rest of the sOCi, thanks for your friendship, you guys are the ones who help me stay in touch with the ʻreal worldʼ. To the other graduate students in the Sociology Department, Arnab, Lionel, Bubbles, Alvin, Hu Shu, etc, my sincerest apologies for not being able to name all of you but 
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 each and every one of you have made the last two years a lot more enjoyable and bearable with the food, fun and laughter weʼve shared. To the VCF postgraduate group and Mon CG, your prayers and fellowship have been greatly appreciated. Also to my small group and friends in LWMC: Paul & Elsa, for leading BS so faithfully, ensuring that I get my spiritual feeding; Rebecca, Vincent and Hannes for always checking on my progress, holding me accountable for my work and those meals at your home; Des and gang for the various ʻTYMCʼ sessions that help feed this poor (and hungry) graduate student. To Kien Ann, Kid and May: thanks for serving the Lord and for your company in Thailand. My time in the field would not have been as smooth sailing and enjoyable without your fellowship and support. To Evan, thanks for translating and transcribing my interviews. I pray that God will continue to guide all of you in your ministry there. To my Primers, you guys better grow up well. Lastly, this thesis is specially dedicated to my family, who have stood by my side and provided me with such loving encouragement and support: Papa, for always checking on my health and financial status; Mama, for the breakfasts in the mornings and helping me run small errands when you can; Mahmah, for the nutrition and love that goes into your meals; my Uncles and Aunties for being so supportive and loving; Edward, your wedding have allowed me to take an ʻenforcedʼ break along the way, allowing me to work harder when I came back; Anthony, for showing and reminding me how to walk with Christ. In loving memory of Ah Mah, who would have been proud to see me graduate and produce this piece of work. 
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 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Table of Contents Abstract Figures and Diagrams ii iv vi vii Chapter 1 - The Yellow Shirts Movement of Thailand 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Relevance to contemporary works 1.3 Statement of Problem and Thesis Statement 1.4 Contribution to knowledge 1.5 Scope of study 1.6 Methodology 1.7 Prospectus 1 1 2 4 8 9 9 14 Chapter 2 - Social Closure and Social Movements (in Thailand) 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Surveying the Literature: Social Movements in Thailand 2.3 The Thai ʻMiddle Classʼ 2.4 Class and Social Movements – Insights from Marx, Weber and Parkin 2.4.1 Marx – Class, Revolution and Social Movements 2.4.2 Weber – Class, Interest, Status Groups and Social Closure 2.4.3 Parkin – “Social Closure as Exclusion and Usurpation” 2.5 Social Closure and the People Alliance for Democracy 2.6 Social Movement Theories: Tools of Analysis 2.6.1 Resource Mobilization Theory 2.6.2 Political Opportunity 2.6.3 Grievances, Relative Deprivation Theory and Emotions 2.7 Conclusion: A Case of Social Closure 16 16 18 21 24 25 26 28 29 30 30 31 32 33 Chapter 3 – Social Closure in Thailandʼs 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Thailandʼs Political History 3.2.1 1930s – 1950s: Fall of the Absolute Monarchy and the Reign of the Military 3.2.2 1960s – 1971: The Rise of the Business group and the Democratization of Thailand 3.2.3 The 1970s: Political Contestations 3.2.4 The 1980s: ʻDemocracyʼ under the Military 3.2.5 1990s: The shift towards civilian governments and the 1997 Economic Crisis 3.2.6 Rise of Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party 3.3 The Formation of the PAD 3.3.1 Protests and the Ousting of Thaksin 35 35 36 
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 3.3.2 Protests against the People Power Party 3.3.3 Occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports 3.4 Conclusion: Recognizing the Historical Antecedents 61 62 63 Chapter 4 – Uncovering the Motivations of Mobilization 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Incentives for Mobilization: Structural Change and Social Exclusion 4.2.1 Structural Change: Economic Depression and Dissent 4.2.2 Social Closure: Political, Economic and Social Exclusion 4.3 From Political Opportunity to Emotions 4.3.1 Emotions and Social Movements 4.3.2 Towards Mobilization: Hatred and Hope 4.4 Groups in the Middle Class: Interests and Emotions 4.5 Conclusion: From Closure to Emotions 65 65 66 66 69 76 77 78 88 93 Chapter 5 – Mechanisms of Mobilization 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Frame Alignment and Mobilization 5.2.1 Framing Discourse: Mobilizing Fear and Hope 5.2.2 Colours, Identity and Boundary Work 5.2.3 Private Media: Information and Coordination 5.2.4 Mobilizing Discourse: Hope 5.2.5 Mobilizing Resources: Media 5.3 Conclusion: Inciting Emotions through Discourse 95 95 97 100 107 110 112 112 115 Chapter 6- Conclusion 116 References 120 
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 Abstract Political conflict in Thailand is characterized by the frequent appearance of social movements. In this vein, the series of confrontations between the Red shirts and the Yellow shirts must be seen as a contemporary manifestation of historically embedded struggles for power and recognition. While extensive work has been done on the Red shirts movement, there is a significant dearth of work on the Yellow-shirt movement. Accordingly, this thesis aims to contribute to the literature on social movements in Thailand by providing a focused analysis of the Yellow shirts movement. Next, scholarly work on Thai social movements has tended to frame the movement, too often, as a product of intra-elite struggle. While accurate, these explanations are insufficient in accounting for the motivation behind the participantsʼ involvement. Furthermore, in conceptualizing the movement as a ʻmiddle classʼ movement, we are caught in the process of reifying ʻclassʼ as a social category. Thus, this thesis attempts to depart from the common conceptualization of the Yellow shirts as a ʻmiddle classʼ movement. Conversely, it emphasizes an analytical framework centered around an understanding of “social closure” as the dynamic struggle between forces of exclusion and monopolization on the one hand and the forces of usurpation and opportunity hoarding on the other. In addition, this thesis highlights the significance of emotions as both a motivation and resource for mobilization. Drawing on a combination of qualitative methods of interviews as well as content and discourse analyses, this thesis argues that recent Yellow shirts movement is best understood as an attempt by various groups to counter and contest their gradual economic, political and social exclusion by the Thai state and elites. 
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 Figures and Diagrams Table A: List of Key Respondents vii Diagram 1.1: Classes in the Marxian perspective 6 
 Diagram 1.2: Society/social stratum as consisting of several status groups 7 Figure 1.1: Thailand: Real GDP Growth Rate (Annual %), 1980 to 2008 67 
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 Table A: List of Key Respondents Note: Names of all respondents have been changed to preserve their identity. Case Respondent Age Gender Occupation Place of Residence 1 Pela 41 Male Rentier Bangkok 2 Pu 55 Male Restaurant Owner Khon Kaen 3 Ou 24 Female Graduate Bangkok 4 Sung 62 Female Principal of Private School Khon Kaen 5 Tok 46 Male Small Business Owner Khon Kaen 6 Silpa 26 Male Hotelier Bangkok 7 Cewai 58 Male Teacher Khon Kaen 8 Nan 31 Female Real Estate Agent Bangkok 9 En 45 Male Businessman Bangkok 10 Pa 38 Female Medical Service Personnel Bangkok 11 Plar 30 Female Executive Bangkok 12 Hiw 57 Male Trader Khon Kaen 13 Nen 28 Male Banker Bangkok 14 Ern 29 Female Investment Banker Bangkok 15 Pim 34 Male Fashion Designer Bangkok 
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  ... have to at all A/ P Ganapathy, your passion for teaching and the students has been my inspiration as a TA Above all, thank you for writing the letter of recommendation in my application for Masters... 2 .1 Introduction 2.2 Surveying the Literature: Social Movements in Thailand 2.3 The Thai ʻMiddle Class 2.4 Class and Social Movements – Insights from Marx, Weber and Parkin 2.4 .1 Marx – Class, ... and provided me with such loving encouragement and support: Papa, for always checking on my health and financial status; Mama, for the breakfasts in the mornings and helping me run small errands