Case Study: Pro-Democracy Organizing in Thailand

Under the many pressures of this stressful, anxiety driving moment, it’s all too easy to lose perspective, to retreat, and to adapt to growing repression by assimilating to it. The historian Timothy Snyder describes assimilation to authoritarian expectations “obeying in advance.”

The Thai democracy movement offers us some perspective. I was in Manila training a group of pro democracy leaders from around SE Asia a few years ago when a leader of the Future Forward Party (now banned by the Constitutional Court of Thailand) cited the 81 seats they’d won in government as a major victory. When I asked her what they planned on doing next, she answered by saying “we will do as much good as we can before the junta kicks us out.”

They were kicked out, but the Move Forward Party took over leadership of the base of the Future Forward Party and managed to win even more seats in government in the next election. Again, they’ve been pushed out. One of the leading organizers there told me that forming a government would be difficult and that it was very likely they would be pushed out of power, and then said, “but they cannot deny us. We will win even more next time.”

In a country that has suffered multiple coups and extreme repression, pro democracy organizing continues and the base for democratic reforms is growing, and the leadership remains hopeful and are joyfully looking forward to a time when they will be able to secure a margin of victory too big to be denied.

Lessons From Thailand

Context:

Thailand has a long history of political instability, characterized by military coups, authoritarianism, and monarchic influence. Since the 1930s, the country has experienced multiple coups, with the military repeatedly stepping in to exert control. The most recent military coup occurred in 2014, led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who imposed a military junta and governed as Prime Minister until the 2019 elections. This authoritarian backdrop has fueled Thailand’s pro-democracy movement, which seeks to challenge military dominance and promote democratic governance.

Two political parties, the Future Forward Party (FFP) and its successor, the Move Forward Party (MFP), have become central to this movement, representing a new generation's desire for change, transparency, and civilian rule.

The Future Forward Party (FFP) (2018–2020)

Formation and Goals:

• Founded: In 2018 by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a billionaire auto parts tycoon, and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a legal scholar.

• Platform: The FFP focused on dismantling the military's grip on power, promoting social justice, and reforming Thailand’s entrenched elite system. It positioned itself as an anti-establishment party, targeting younger voters disillusioned with traditional politics.

2019 Election:

• The FFP performed surprisingly well in the 2019 general election, securing 81 seats in the Thai House of Representatives, making it the third-largest party.

• The election itself was seen as flawed, with accusations of gerrymandering and electoral manipulation favoring the pro-military party, Palang Pracharath Party, which eventually helped Prayuth Chan-ocha stay in power.

Political Repression:

• In 2020, the Constitutional Court of Thailand disbanded the Future Forward Party, citing a loan that Thanathorn made to the party, which the court ruled as illegal. Many saw this as a nakedly political decision aimed at neutralizing the party’s rising influence.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) (2020–Present)

Reformation and Continuation of the Movement:

• Following the dissolution of FFP, its members regrouped under the newly formed Move Forward Party (MFP), continuing to push for democratic reforms. Pita Limjaroenrat, an energetic young politician, took over leadership, and the party maintained a similar platform to the FFP, focusing on dismantling military power and expanding civil liberties.

Key Issues:

1. Monarchy Reform: The MFP became associated with the growing calls for reform of Thailand’s powerful monarchy, a highly controversial issue in Thai politics. The party’s support for amending lese-majeste laws (which criminalize criticism of the monarchy) aligned it with the youth-led pro-democracy protests.

2. Economic Reform: MFP advocates for economic policies that reduce inequality, empower small businesses, and protect labor rights.

3. Civil Liberties: It has been a vocal proponent of freedom of speech, press freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand.

Youth Pro-Democracy Movement (2020–2021):

• The youth-led pro-democracy movement, which began gaining momentum in 2020, saw hundreds of thousands of students and young activists take to the streets. They demanded:

  • The resignation of Prayuth Chan-ocha.

  • A new constitution.

  • Reform of the monarchy.

• The Move Forward Party became the political arm of this protest movement, championing the causes raised by the students, despite threats and repression from the military-backed government.

Tactics and Strategies:

1. Electoral Participation: Both FFP and MFP have been heavily involved in electoral politics, seeking to change the system from within. By mobilizing youth and progressive voters, they have pushed for reforms despite facing a rigged system.

2. Support for Protests: The parties have aligned themselves with the larger grassroots pro-democracy movement. They provide a political platform for the demands being made in the streets, including ending the military’s role in politics and reforming the monarchy.

3. Digital Mobilization: Leveraging social media and digital platforms, both parties have engaged younger voters, bypassing traditional media outlets that are often controlled by the state or oligarchic interests. They have utilized Twitter, Facebook, and LINE (a popular messaging app in Thailand) to mobilize support, spread their message, and challenge disinformation.

4. Building Trust in Public Institutions: In Thailand, pro-democracy activists are working to build trust in institutions through various local organizing efforts:

   • Community Engagement: Activists are organizing grassroots initiatives that involve local communities in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and trust in democratic practices at the most local level of politics, and around issues of broad concern.

   • Transparency Advocacy: By promoting transparency and accountability within local governance, they aim to reduce corruption and increase public confidence in institutions.

   • Human Rights Education: Educational programs are being conducted to inform citizens about their rights and the importance of democratic institutions, empowering them to participate actively in civic life.

   • Legal Support Networks: Establishing networks that provide legal assistance to those facing injustices helps to reinforce the rule of law and trust in judicial processes.

   • Digital Rights Forums: Platforms like the Thailand Digital Rights Forum discuss key digital rights concerns, addressing issues such as state surveillance and laws penalizing freedom of expression, which undermine public trust in key institutions.

   These efforts collectively aim to strengthen democratic institutions and build public trust through active local participation and advocacy, and winning good governance reforms and greater accountability.

Outcomes:

• Electoral Success: Despite significant repression, Move Forward Party grew to be a prominent political force in Thailand, winning seats in parliament and maintaining high levels of support, particularly among younger voters.

• Censorship and Repression: As of November 2024, the Move Forward Party (MFP) has been dissolved by the Constitutional Court. On August 7, 2024, the court ruled that MFP violated the constitution by proposing amendments to the country's lèse-majesté laws, which protect the monarchy from defamation. This decision led to the party's dissolution and imposed a 10-year political ban on 11 of its executives, including former leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

  Following the dissolution, the remaining 143 Move Forward Party members of parliament retained their seats and reorganized under a new political entity, the People's Party. The People's Party aims to continue MFP's progressive agenda, focusing on democratic reforms and social justice, with plans to contest the 2027 elections.

• Political Awakening: The rise of Future Forward Party and Move Forward Party has ignited a political awakening in Thailand, especially among the youth. While the parties face immense challenges from the entrenched military and monarchy, they have created a new space for pro-democracy discourse in Thailand. The pro-democracy movement has not yet succeeded in its broader goals of systemic reform, but the emergence of these parties has significantly altered the political landscape and provided a foundation for continued resistance against authoritarianism.

Lessons Learned:

1. Youth Engagement is Key: The rise of Future Forward Party and Move Forward Party demonstrates the power of youth movements and the importance of engaging new generations in politics. They successfully capitalized on a demographic that felt alienated by the traditional political establishment.

2. Persistence Despite Repression: Even when disbanded or legally challenged, the movement persisted by rebranding and reorganizing. This adaptability has been crucial to sustaining the momentum of the pro-democracy struggle.

3. Digital Mobilization: In a country where traditional media is often state-controlled, digital platforms became critical tools for organizing and raising awareness.

4. Electoral and Street Politics Synergy: The movement’s combination of parliamentary action through the MFP and street-level mobilization through protests created a two-pronged approach to challenging authoritarianism,. with street protests deployed at critical tipping points when direct action builds the base and can tip the balance of public opinion and power in the direction of the pro democracy movement.

Summing Up:

The pro-democracy movement in Thailand, embodied by the Future Forward Party and the Move Forward Party, is tapping into a growing desire for democratic reform, transparency, and an end to military dominance. In sum, it is creating an avenue for hope, and a deep longing for peace and freedom. In a time when criticism dominates our political narratives, and are emotional lives are being shaped in the space of us versus them, Thai freedom fighters are winning, even when losing forward, by giving meaning at a political and emotional level to our shared longing for liberation.