Why Was The 'Sorry Thailand' TV Ad Banned?
Note: This article has been originally published on July 22, 2010 in a series of guest blogger posts for Bangkok Pundit at AsianCorrespondent. Earlier this week we have reported on the banned TV commercial "ขอโทษประเทศไทย" (Sorry Thailand). For those, who haven't seen it yet, here's the video with English subtitles:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dNIu8_-iU8&w=600&h=360]
The ban has created some considerably public uproar and the censorship board, which consists of representatives of the free-TV channels and other 'experts', has gotten itself into the crossfire of criticism.
The ad was made by a group called "Positive Network", which is made up by "people from many professions such as advertising, PR, event, regional community representatives, [corporate] companies, government officials and academics from all across the country." During the launch event on June 16, the group states that their main goal is to "terminate the divisions in society". One of the executives of the network has mentioned the launch of an advertising campaign, even though this one was called "ต่อไปนี้ถ้าเธอพูด ฉันจะฟัง" ("From now on when you talk, I will listen"). Daily News has more about the launch of the group (article in Thai).
The founder of the "Positive Network", Bhanu Inkawat, appeared on ThaiPBS recently to talk about the ad and his reaction on the ban.
Mr Bhanu Inkawat [...] said that the purpose of the advertisement is "to let the Thai people realize what problems Thailand has right now, which are not just only the protests and the burning of buildings, but many more that have their roots. So [if] we don't go to the bottom of the problem, we'll only be able to solve the problem in the short term and it will come back."
Translated from: "แจงสาเหตุแบนโฆษณา"ขอโทษประเทศไทย", ThaiPBS, July 18, 2010
The TV programme also had Kiatisuk Wattanasak, a member of the censorship committee board, to give his point of view on the issue:
"After we have [initially] watched it, we all liked this ad. However, there are a few things that are not conform with the rules [...]. [They] have not sent us any documents, nothing for us for consideration. We don't know if they had permission for [certain] footages [in the ad], even if it's news footage we have to ask if they have permission to re-air it in this ad. [...] So [without any documents proving it] how can we possibly let this through?"
Translated from: "แจงสาเหตุแบนโฆษณา"ขอโทษประเทศไทย", ThaiPBS, July 18, 2010
He also goes on to give other reasons for the ban that were reflected in a statement later this week after the board has met once again, subsequently defending it's decision to withhold the ad from airing but not banning it altogether.
The censorship board has denied banning the controversial TV commercial "Thailand, We Apologise", saying it was in the process of correcting the advert before allowing it to be aired.
Certain scenes in the commercial, lasting about 20 seconds, would be cut because they were deemed to be inappropriate and could be against the law, the board said in a statement released yesterday.The producers of the advert submitted it to the board for approval on June 21 and on June 28 they reported to the board about changes they had made to to correct some parts that the board had said were against the law.
The board said the producers were now in the process of correcting the problematic parts of the commercial and would then resubmit it for approval.
Scenes to be removed include those of protesters torching public property [on May 19], security officers holding weapons and getting ready to fire them, some pornographic images, some deemed offensive to religious institutions, images of protesters [both yellow shirts and red shirts] gathering in political rallies in a way that might trigger a state of unrest or affect national unity or internal security.
"Controversial ad 'not banned'", Bangkok Post, July 21, 2010
Taking the objected scenes out of the ad, there wouldn't be much left of it. Also, if you remove the footage of the red and yellow protests, that will totally miss the point. But looking at a statement from another board member, little does surprise me here:
The manager of Channel 7's censorship division Sneh Hongsuwan, also a member of the committee, said the panel agreed to ban the commercial because it felt the images could cause rifts in society.
"Instead of giving positive messages, it will only remind viewers about the conflict. We believe that the clashes are in the past, and we should let bygones be bygones and think about positive things. If this commercial was put on air, some images would have to be cut out," Sneh said.
"Ban of 'apology' advert puzzles PM", The Nation, July 20, 2010
Oh, how convenient! Let's forget about the past and look forward without actually considering why we're in this mess in the first place! This is a bad case of 'mai pen rai' ('no big deal') where people tend to forget about a certain issue if it is out of sight. It fits the current trend of suppressing of what happened that lead to the lastest escalation of the political crisis in some parts of society. Again, some people try to put a blanket over the ever-increasing rift and wonder in hindsight why we don't make it over to the other side. A solution cannot take place if there's not a confrontation of the problems and it's effects. But, and I realize I'm going out on a limb, part of Thai culture is to avoid confrontation and uncomfortableness with everyone at all costs.
On the other hand it is to be questioned if the ad, if it gets ever aired, would have any effect in making a change? As mentioned above, the ad is just one of many campaigns the group will do in the future. Nonetheless, the controversy can be counted as a win-win situation, since it got a certain portion of people talking about it, the original uploaded YouTube video got over half a million views and also got many people asking themselves what on earth the censorship committee was thinking.
Censorship on TV in Thailand has always been a delicate matter and, as 2Bangkok.com shows with examples of censoring smoking on 'The Simpsons', it is also pretty inconsistent. Many measures appear to many just downright absurd and this case shows yet again how outlandish and outdated the rules are. Speaking of outlandish, have you spotted the larkorn (soap opera) scene in the ad? Yeah, that kind of nonsense of women slapping each other is the norm! Hypocrisy in Thai lakorns - that's a whole double standard case in itself!
Was There An Anti-Thai 'Day of Anger' in Cambodia?
Note: This post was originally published on July 18, 2010 (in a slightly shorter form) in a series of guest blogger post for Bangkok Pundit at AsianCorrespondent. Until recently, Cambodians remembered the gruesome atrocities of the Khmer Rouges on the so-called "Day of Anger" every year on May 20. A few weeks ago there was some buzz over a different "Day of Anger" planned in Cambodia:
Cambodian NGOs plan to organize a meeting to commemorate and to express the anger against the 2nd anniversary of the Thai invasion of Cambodia along the border near Preah Vihear temple which took place on 15 July 2008. One high-ranking government official welcomed the plan to hold the “Anger Day” against Thai invasion on Cambodia on 15 July. However, this government official also warned the NGOs not to profit from this occasion to serve the interest of Cambodia’s opposition party. Rong Chhun, representative of the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) and President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), announced that 15 July is the date for the Anger Day against the Thai invasion of Cambodia and that it will be held in front of the public park located in front of the old building of the National Assembly which now houses the Supreme Court. Rong Chhun said that at the beginning of July 2010, he will send a letter to the Phnom Penh city authority to inform about them on the commemoration of this date, although, this is not to ask for an authorization from the city.
"Plan to hold an “Anger Day” against Thai invasion", by Everyday.com.kh, translated by KI-Media, June 29, 2010
This "Day of Anger" was supposed to mark the two-year anniversary of an incident when several dozens of Thai soldiers have reportedly crossed the border after three Thais were arrested, who illegally crossed the border in order to plant a Thai flag on the disputed Preah Vihear temple grounds.
The reactions from Thai officials were either unexcited, uninterested or unworried. Nevertheless there was some speculation why this event was to take place:
The event this time is planned by the Teacher's Association of Cambodia, which had carried out activities against the government of Hun Sen and also had its leaders imprisoned. This is a strange occurrence since the government has a strict ruling over various public gatherings. But this time the government has not shown any signs of interference.
(การจัดงานครั้งนี้จัดขึ้นโดยสมาคมครูแห่งชาติ ซึ่งเป็นกลุ่มที่มีบทบาทต่อต้านรัฐบาลฮุนเซน และแกนนำกลุ่มก็เคยถูกฮุนเซนจับขังคุกมาแล้ว ซึ่งเป็นเรื่องน่าแปลกที่ปกติรัฐบาลจะควบคุมเข้มงวดในการจัดงานชุมนุมต่างๆ แต่ครั้งนี้รัฐบาลไม่ได้มีการส่งสัญญาณห้ามปรามแต่อย่างใด)
Mr Surapong Jayanama, former [Thai] ambassador, says that there are two noteworthy aspects: "This event normally takes place in every May, but this time it's in July and in the past it is organized by Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party. This time it is an organization that is not related to the government and even if Hun Sen does not endorse them, but also does not stop them. [...] Since this is being held in July it also coincides with the meeting of the World Heritage Committee on July 25 in Brazil."
(นายสุรพงษ์ ชัยนาม อดีตเอกอัครราชทูต กล่าวว่า มีข้อสังเกตุ 2 ประการ คือ ทุกปีจัดในเดือนพ.ค. แต่ทำไมครั้งนี้จัดในเดือน ก.ค. และในอดีตจะจัดโดยพรรคประชาชนกัมพูชาของฮุนเซน แต่ครั้งนี้เปลี่ยนเป็นกลุ่มที่ไม่เกี่ยวกับรัฐบาล ถึงแม้ฮุนเซนจะบอกว่าไม่สนับสนุนแต่ก็ไม่ขัดขวาง [...] โดยการที่จัดงานในเดือนก.ค.นี้ เนื่องจากใกล้กับการประชุมคณะกรรมการมรดกโลกที่ประเทศบราซิลในวันที่ 25 ก.ค.นี้)
"Cambodia wants the seven [committee] countries of the UNESCO to see that not only Hun Sen is rallying for the world heritage status but also the people, because [they say] the Thais are exploiting [the Preah Vihear issue]. Apart from that it should show that the government of Hun Sen is democratic, open and is willing to let this event take place even if it is agains the will of the government. About the relations with Thailand, it is not a top priority. But the top priority is to get the world heirtage status for Preah Vihear. [...]
(ทางกัมพูชาต้องการให้ประชาคมระหว่างประเทศ 7 ประเทศจากยูเนสโกได้เห็นว่า ไม่ใช่เพียงนายฮุนเซนที่เรียกร้องเรื่องมรดกโลก ชาวกัมพูชาก็ออกมาเคลื่อนไหวเรียกร้องเพราะรู้สึกว่าถูกไทยเอาเปรียบ [เรื่องเขาพระวิหารเป็นมรดกโลก] นอกจากนี้ก็แสดงให้เห็นว่ารัฐบาลนายฮุนเซนมีความเป็นประชาธิปไตย ใจกว้าง ยินยอมให้จัดงานได้แม้จะเป็นฝ่ายตรงข้ามรัฐบาลก็ตาม ส่วนจะกระทบความสัมพันธ์กับไทย นายสุรพงษ์กล่าวว่าขณะนี้วาระเร่งด่วนของรัฐบาลฮุนเซนคือต้องการขึ้นทะเบียนมรดกโลกเขาพระวิหาร ส่วนเรื่องความสัมพันธ์กับไทยถือเป็นเรื่องสำคัญรองลงไป [...])
"เขมร จัด "วันโกรธแค้น" หวังสร้างภาพฟ้องประชาคมโลก", Manager.co.th, July 15, 2010
So, was there an anti-Thai "Day of Anger" in Cambodia? Well, sort of...
AROUND 150 armed security forces were deployed by Phnom Penh Municipal authorities yesterday to prevent a ceremony “expressing hate and demanding that Thai soldiers withdraw” from Preah Vihear temple. [...]
The ceremony, organised by the Cambodian Watchdog Council, was to take place outside the old National Assembly building near Wat Botum and mark the anniversary of the “Thai invasion” by demanding the withdrawal of Thai troops still stationed near the temple.
However, 150 soldiers and police – outnumbering the protesters – forced the gathering to disburse and relocate.
CWC President Rong Chhun expressed disappointment that authorities prevented the ceremony from going ahead as planned.
“The supporters and I wanted to hold a ceremony to remember the anniversary of the Thai invasion, but we are disappointed that local authorities prevented the gathering,” he said. “The deployment of armed forces is threatening and frightening to the patriotism of Cambodia’s children.”
He said the ceremony was moved to his office in Chamkarmon district, but remained under heavy police guard.
"Police quash anti-Thai gathering", by Kim Yuthana and Thet Sambath, The Phnom Penh Post, July 16, 2010
KI-Media has video of the protest, that shows the quite small turnout and also mentions a similar protest in 2009 that was violently dispersed by police.
P.S.: Thanks to Cambodia-based bloggers Andy Brouwer and Tharum Bun for providing help on this story.
„Der Spiegel“ Interviews Foreign Minister Kasit
NOTE: This post was originally published on July 16, 2010 in a series of guest blogger posts for Bangkok Pundit at AsianCorrespondent. During his diplomatic tour through Europe (previously mentioned here), foreign minister Kasit Piromya gave an interview to the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel. Some lines are familiar to observers of him like these:
SPIEGEL: What is your explanation for the protests?
Kasit: The Marxist-Leninist interpretation was used by some protest leaders to paint a picture of disparity in Thai society -- between the rich and poor, rural and urban areas -- to attract supporters. This notion has also been accepted by the leftist media around the world. (...)
SPIEGEL: How have the leaders succeeded in gaining so much support?
Kasit: The protest is coordinated, organized and financed by Mr. Thaksin and his people. It is not something that happened naturally like in other countries, where demonstrations are spontaneous, like in Greece.
"Interview With Thai Foreign Minister - 'I'm Not Going to Run Like Mr. Thaksin'", Der Spiegel, July 15, 2010
Kasit actually made some solid remarks about the lèse majesté law ("Of course it has been abused! (...) I must now go to court!") and also named "Ethics, and good governance issues" to be the problems of Thai politics, but on the other hand he blames Thaksin in every second answer, whether it's about the failed November 14 election date proposal by the government during the protests ("Mr. Thaksin refused it. And then he started to have this armed insurrection."), the alleged main cause of the red shirts ("to support [him], to bring him back to Thailand without having him serve the jail sentence he has received for corruption and conflict of interest while in office.") - Kasit apparently can not let go of the idea that Thaksin is the ultimate root of all things evil. He also took a jab at German history:
SPIEGEL: What do you think? Who shot the people, if not the army?
Kasit: Look at German history: What happened when Joschka Fischer was on the streets in Frankfurt? Wasn't there shooting at that time? It is also possible that the Red Shirts were shooting among themselves in order to pass the blame to the government.
Former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer was involved in the student movement of the 1960s that was protesting against the conservatism and ignorance towards its past of post-war Germany. The government at that time tried to counter this movement i.e. by using the media to form a public opinion against the students. Due to the over-reaction by the police the protests escalated and turned violent. Even though it initially failed to cause any short-term results, it had long-lasting effects and influence on German society and culture.
In the 1970s the remains of the students movements either disappeared or have taken a radical route that also partly resulted in the formation of the Red Army Fraction that took out several armed assaults and was known as the first domestic terrorist group. During the same time frame Fischer was a leading member of the radical "Putzgruppe" (cleaning squad) that took on the police in several street battles. In 2001, when Fischer just became foreign minster, pictures dating back to 1973 were published, which shows him clubbing a policeman. Fischer later regretted this but also denied claims that he endorsed the use of molotov cocktails against the police. (More in this NYT article)
Getting back to Kasit's original claim: Neither sides, the "Putzgruppe" or the police, have used firearms during the street battles. All in all this historic comparison seems odd to me, but this is not the first time he has shown his selective historical knowledge. Talking about German history, Kasit once more came up with another comparison:
SPIEGEL: There have been 18 military coups since 1932. Can you really call Thailand a democracy?
Kasit: That is a very unfair question. It takes a lot of time to become a full-fledged democratic society. We are struggling with ourselves. Having said that, despite the challenges we have faced, we have never deviated far from the road to democracy which is what the Thai people want. Look at Germany: How did you end up with Hitler?
There we have it, Godwin's law has been used here in full effect! It seems to me that for one reasonable statement and he is spilling at least two or three ill-advised rants that ruin everything, as previously witnessed at an event in the US earlier this year.
By the way, since he mentioned the criminal past of a foreign minister, what about Kasit's past? Oh, yeah right!
Mr. Noppadon Goes to Washington
NOTE: This post was originally published on 8 July 2010 in a series of guest blogger posts for Bangkok Pundit at AsianCorrespondent. Ever since the red shirt protests ended, the government is keen to tell the world it's side of the story and that things have turned back to normal again in the Kingdom. In order to ensure this, they have, for instance, sent a special envoy to the US (with a little help from friends over there) for set the public agenda for Thailand (and also to prevent the US from intervention). Also, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was travelling around Europe the last few weeks starting with a visit to the European Union in Brussels, where he gave this astonishing statement while meeting an EU diplomat:
Kasit was quoted as telling Commissioner Georgieva that the recent red-shirt protests were engineered primarily by a combination of 'Marxist-Leninist' elements from the old Thai communist party, disaffected military men and 'slum-dwellers', all funded and inspired by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, sources said.
However, he did not pressure the EU to extradite fugitive Thaksin since his ministry has earlier sought consultations from the EU diplomats in Bangkok on the process of Montenegro’s quest for EU membership. (...)
According to the EU press release, Commissioner Georgieva expressed her concerns about the victims of the recent political turmoil and hoped for a meaningful internal political dialogue to address the divisions in Thai society.
"EU concerns about Thailand's reconciliation", Bangkok Post, June 23, 2010 (emphasis by me)
I would like to have seen her face expression upon hearing Kasit's statement. The quote also reflects the the observations of US Senator Jim Webb when he met the Thai special envoy in Washington as Webb "agreed that aspects of the Red Shirts were 'classic Marxist.'" (Source)
Shortly after that the opposition camp has sent out their envoy around the world to counter the Thai government's media offense.
A close aide to Thailand's ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is seeking US help to resolve the kingdom's turmoil as he tries to soften the image of the "Red Shirt" protest movement.
Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister, is on a mission to Washington that comes as a sharp challenge to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has won US backing for his reconciliation plan and opposes outside mediation.
"We hope that the US administration will be more engaged about the situation in Thailand. They can use diplomatic channels to encourage the government to look at our proposal," Noppadon, a legal adviser to Thaksin, told AFP in an interview Tuesday.
"It doesn't mean they interfere with Thai politics. You can give friendly advice to your friend -- it's just natural," he said. "US-Thai relations are very important and if your friend is weak or is divided, your friend may not fulfill the potential that it has."(...)
Noppadon accused the government of misrepresenting the Red Shirts, saying: "I don't want the United States or the US population to misunderstand that the Red Shirts are terrorists. They are just farmers, they are just democracy lovers, they are people who dislike double standards,"
Noppadon declined to specify whom he was meeting in Washington, saying it could lead to repercussions. Diplomats said he would meet with staff members at Congress. (...)
"Thaksin Shinawatra aide seeks US role in Thailand", AFP via The Times of India, June 30, 2010
The Nation claims to know who Noppadon has met in Washington:
Noppadon will meet with Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell at the State Department, a political source said, adding that he had also sought meetings with ranking senators, including John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Howard Burman and Richard Lucas.
"Noppadon is believed to rely on Ed Rogers, a lobbyist working in the law firm of former US secretary of state James Baker," the source said.
"Wooing Washington", The Nation, July 1, 2010
Also, on a possible involvement by Thaksin, Bangkok Post had this:
Mr Noppadon said Thaksin knew about his trip to the US but gave no particular instructions, adding that the fugitive former prime minister was now in eastern Europe. (...) [Noppadon] had nothing to do with Robert Amsterdam, a foreign lawyer working for Thaksin.
"Thaksin's lawyers at work", Bangkok Post, June 30, 2010
Ed Rogers is vice-president for the lobby firm BGR Holdings LLC, which had Thaksin as a client back in 2008. Also:
Thaksin Shinawatra [...] has hired BGR Government Affairs, Amsterdam & Peroff and Kobre & Kim to lobby federal policymakers.
BGR, according to the firm’s lobbying registration for Thaksin, will “provide strategic counsel on U.S. government policy and assist with advancing individual’s desire to promote democracy in Thailand.”
At BGR, Thaksin will be represented by Stephen Rademaker, former national security policy director for then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.); Jonathan Mantz, the national finance director for then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) 2008 presidential campaign; and Walker Roberts, an ex-deputy staff director for the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Loren Monroe, a BGR principal, declined to comment for this piece, saying the firm does not discuss client matters.
"Former prime minister of Thailand hires trio of lobby and law firms", by Kevin Bogardus, The Hill, July 1, 2010
The time of Noppadon's PR-tour in DC was not accidental as he was in the week before the US Congress votes on whether to back Prime Minister Abhisit's reconciliation roadmap or not. The vote went 411 - 1 in favor of the bill officially titled "Affirming the support of the United States for a strong and vital alliance with Thailand" (the full text of the bill is in the link).
Of course, the Thai government is delighted with the decision from Washington as they have encouraged Abhisit to stay the course and carry on with the roadmap. This episode was also a show of whose side has done better lobbying on Capitol Hill, since the Thai government has also hired a lobbying firm. Looks like Noppadon or Thaksin will have more work to do to convince DC for their side of the political conflict.
Housekeeping: Panel, Berlin & Guest-Blogging
Got some housekeeping announcements here for you: First off, the panel discussion we have hosted here in Hamburg last Monday went really well! I will write a round-up about this event (and the academic conference in Trier as well) soon, because secondly...
I'll be on the road again for the next few days, this time to a workshop at Humboldt University in Berlin about the Thai political crisis (they even have the same title "Thailand am Scheideweg" as ours!). They don't have a website for this event but you can read the programme here (PDF). I'll also give a little talk about myself and about the panel in Hamburg.
And finally, political blogger Bangkok Pundit has announced that he'll take some time off during the next few weeks. I'm happy to announce that I will be guest blogging for him during his break alongside other well-known bloggers. I want to thank Bangkok Pundit and his blogging platform AsianCorrespondent (AC) for this opportunity! Naturally, there'll be some slight chances. During the time of my guest blogging, most articles will be published on AC first and then on this blog one or two days later. Certain topics such as academia and general housekeeping will stay here.
Make sure to follow me on Twitter (@Saksith) for all the latest posts (and rants).
Talk on Thai Politics and Military at Payap University, Chiang Mai
The Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program at Payap University is proud to announce the following special lecture as part of "PAYAP PRESENTS," a regular lecture series (in English) featuring scholars working on Southeast Asia. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
"Thailand in Crisis: Resurgent Military, Diminished Democracy, and Future Possibilities"
Speaker: Paul Chambers, Ph.D.
One of the foremost experts on civil-military relations in Southeast Asia, Dr. Chambers is concurrently Senior Research Fellow, Politics Institute, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany, and Senior Researcher, the Thai and Southeast Asian Studies Program, Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
When: Thursday, 8 July 2010
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Room 317, Pentecost Building (formerly the Graduate and International Studies Building), Mae Khao Campus (behind Carrefour), Payap University
Overview of talk:
Thailand's political winds are blowing ever stronger as forces either defending the status quo or seeking change brace themselves for an imminent critical juncture. The growing partisan divide has facilitated greater military incisions over civilian decision-making domains, bestowing a preponderance of power upon soldiers as opposed to elected representatives. The result has been an erosion of democracy amidst already-intensified political instability. Though the military is not monolithically supportive of either side, the far majority of soldiers (especially those in positions of power) are inclined toward the status quo. In this presentation, Dr. Chambers examines contemporary civil-military relations in Thailand, the state of unity in the Thai armed forces, and potential political outcomes. He argues that, with enhanced uncertainty hanging in the air, Thai politics remain extremely fluid, the only surety being a heightened political role for Thailand's military.
Please note that there is a new PAYAP PRESENTS website where you can find more information about this talk as well as past and future talks: http://ic.payap.ac.th/pp
Is “Bringing Thaksin Back” Puea Thai's Key Policy?
Bringing back former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand and reinstatement of the 2007 Constitution would be two main key policies for next election campaign of Puea Thai Party, MPs chairman Chalerm Yubamrung said on Saturday.
Mr Chalerm said the opposition camp will also inform voters that it would move ahead with the populist policy initiated by the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, such as 30 baht for curing all diseases and village fund.
The veteran politician said his party will also come up with a law to grant amnesty to yellow and red-shirt protesters facing criminal and political charges after the September 19, 2006 military coup.
He was confident that Puea Thai party’s MP candidate, Korkaew Pikulthong, would win the July 25 by election in Bangkok’s constituency 6. Mr Korkaew, being detained in prison on charge of terrorism, is a co-leader of the pro-Thaksin United front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
"PT: “Bring Thaksin back” is a key policy", Bangkok Post, July 3, 2010
This will not sit well with the yellow shirts and other anti-Thaksin advocates, but may be the prospect of amnesty for both yellow and red shirts may offer some room for compromise - nah! As long as Thaksin is mentioned there's no chance in hell the Puea Thai Party will get through with this!