United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship
Quick Summary
The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the "red shirts," emerged in Thailand in early 2009 as a populist movement. Primarily composed of supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the UDD's base was largely in rural northern and northeastern Thailand, but it also included urban democracy activists. The movement organized protests against governments perceived as undemocratic or as proxies for Thaksin, notably leading to significant demonstrations in Bangkok in 2009 and 2010. These protests sometimes turned violent and led to clashes with security forces, resulting in casualties. The UDD's political influence was evident when the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party, led by Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra, won the 2011 general election.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
ThailandYellow shirts and red shirts…a populist movement called the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). The UDD organized protests against this latest change of government, which in April forced the cancellation of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit meeting outside Bangkok. Security forces were able to disperse the protesters, but antigovernment…
Read More…a populist movement called the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). The UDD organized protests against this latest change of government, which in April forced the cancellation of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit meeting outside Bangkok. Security forces were able to disperse the protesters, but antigovernment…
Read More
Yingluck Shinawatra…became known as the “red shirts,” while his opponents, mainly urban elites, were dubbed the “yellow shirts.” Tensions between the two groups mounted, culminating in prolonged mass protests by the red shirts in the spring of 2010 in central Bangkok that eventually were forcibly suppressed by the Thai military.
Read More…became known as the “red shirts,” while his opponents, mainly urban elites, were dubbed the “yellow shirts.” Tensions between the two groups mounted, culminating in prolonged mass protests by the red shirts in the spring of 2010 in central Bangkok that eventually were forcibly suppressed by the Thai military.
Read More