Political Change Flashcards

People/Political Organizations:

Khana Ratsadon
The Khana Ratsadon was a group of military officers and civil servants who led the 1932 coup in Thailand, which ended the absolute monarchy and established a constitutional monarchy.

King Prajadhipok - Rama VII
King Prajadhipok was the seventh King of Thailand, reigning from 1925 to 1935. He ended absolute monarchy after the 1932 coup and introduced Thailand’s first constitution, making the country a constitutional monarchy.

King Bhumipol Adulyadej - Rama IX
King Bhumipol Adulyadej was the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history (1946-2016). He played a key role in maintaining political stability during times of unrest and military rule in Thailand.

Pridi Banomyong
Pridi Banomyong was a leader in the Khana Ratsadon group that staged the 1932 coup. He was a strong advocate for democracy and social reforms and became a significant political figure in Thailand.

General Thanom Kittikachorn
General Thanom Kittikachorn was a military leader and prime minister of Thailand during the 1960s and 1970s. His government was known for military rule and the violent suppression of protests, including the 1976 student protests.

PM Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra was the prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006. He introduced populist policies, including the 30 baht medical scheme, but was ousted in a 2006 military coup due to corruption allegations.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva was the prime minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011. He was the leader of the Democrat Party and faced major political unrest, including the violent 2010 Red Shirt protests.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra was the first female prime minister of Thailand, serving from 2011 to 2014. She was Thaksin Shinawatra's sister and continued his populist policies until she was removed from office in a 2014 military coup.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha
General Prayuth Chan-ocha was the leader of the 2014 coup that removed Yingluck Shinawatra from office. He became prime minister and led Thailand under a military government, maintaining strict control over politics.

People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD / Yellow Shirts)
The PAD, or Yellow Shirts, was a political movement that opposed Thaksin Shinawatra’s government. They led protests and supported the 2006 coup that removed Thaksin from power.

United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD / Red Shirts)
The UDD, or Red Shirts, was a political movement that supported Thaksin Shinawatra. The group organized protests, including the 2010 protests that led to violent clashes with the military and government forces.

Move Forward Party
The Move Forward Party is a progressive political party in Thailand that aims to reduce military influence in politics, advocate for democratic reforms, and promote social justice policies.

Events:

1932 Coup / End of Absolute Monarchy
The 1932 coup in Thailand, led by the Khana Ratsadon group, ended the absolute monarchy and created Thailand’s first constitution, turning the country into a constitutional monarchy.

US-Vietnam War (1965-73)
During the Vietnam War, Thailand was an ally of the United States and provided military and logistical support to fight against communism in Southeast Asia.

1973 Protests
The 1973 protests were a series of student-led demonstrations against the military dictatorship of Thanom Kittikachorn. The protests resulted in the overthrow of the military government and a brief period of civilian rule.

Communists take power in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos
After the Vietnam War, communist governments took control of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, significantly altering the political landscape in Southeast Asia.

1976 Protests
The 1976 protests were student-led demonstrations in Thailand against the military government. The military, with the support of right-wing groups, violently suppressed the protests, resulting in multiple deaths.

2001 election of Thaksin
In 2001, Thaksin Shinawatra won the prime ministership of Thailand, introducing populist policies that aimed to reduce poverty and expand healthcare, but his government was also marred by corruption allegations.

30 baht medical scheme
The 30 baht medical scheme, introduced by Thaksin Shinawatra, allowed all Thai citizens to receive medical treatment for a small fee of 30 baht (about $1), greatly increasing access to healthcare.

Microfinance - OTOP
OTOP (One Tambon, One Product) was a program launched by Thaksin Shinawatra to promote local products and support small businesses, helping rural areas economically by encouraging entrepreneurship.

War on Drugs
The War on Drugs, introduced by Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003, aimed to reduce drug trafficking but became controversial due to widespread extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses.

2006 coup against Thaksin
In 2006, the Thai military staged a coup to remove Thaksin Shinawatra from office, citing corruption and abuse of power as reasons for his ousting.

2010 Red Shirt protests at Ratchaprasong
In 2010, the Red Shirt protesters gathered at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok to demand political reforms and the resignation of the government. The protests turned violent, resulting in clashes with the military and many deaths.

Rice pledging scheme
The rice pledging scheme, introduced by Yingluck Shinawatra, involved the government buying rice from farmers at above-market prices. The scheme led to financial losses and was criticized for mismanagement and corruption.

2014 coup against Yingluck
In 2014, the military staged a coup against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, citing political instability and corruption as reasons for her removal.

Political Ideas:

Absolutism
Absolutism is a political system where a monarch has absolute power and control over the government, with no limitations or checks on their authority.

Coup d’etat
A coup d’état is the sudden, illegal overthrow of a government, usually by force or military intervention.

Constitution
A constitution is a formal set of rules that defines the structure, powers, and duties of a government, often establishing the rights of citizens.

Democracy
Democracy is a system of government in which the people have the power to make decisions, either directly or through elected representatives.

Communism - Authoritarian left
Communism is a political and economic system where all property is owned by the state, and the goal is to create a classless society. It is often associated with authoritarian governments that suppress political opposition.

Military government - Authoritarian right
A military government is a system in which the military holds power, often after staging a coup. It is an authoritarian form of rule that typically limits political freedoms and civil rights.

Corruption
Corruption is the abuse of power by government officials for personal gain, such as bribery, embezzlement, or fraud.

Nationalism
Nationalism is the belief that a country’s interests and identity should be prioritized over those of other nations, often leading to a strong sense of pride and loyalty toward one’s country.

Conservatives
Conservatives are people or groups who seek to preserve traditional values, institutions, and social structures, often resisting rapid change and favoring gradual reforms.

Reactionary
A reactionary is someone who opposes political or social change and seeks to return to a previous state or system, usually one that was in place before reforms were made.

Progressives
Progressives are people or groups who advocate for social, political, or economic reforms aimed at improving society, often through activism and legislation.

Reform
Reform is the process of making changes to improve a system or institution, typically to make it more just, efficient, or effective.