IntroductionThe United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, or more commonly known to the international community as the Red Shirts, is a social movement formed to protest the 2006 coup state by the military in Thailand, and later by the People's Alliance for Democracy, or the Yellow Shirts. They believe in a political and judicial system that guarantees their universal human rights and the justice that is currently lacking in Thailand. The Context of Thailand Thailand has been under military rule for much of its modern history since its founding as a kingdom in 1932. In the 1970s many rural areas were tightly controlled for national security reasons. Democratic elections were initially held only in 1988, and even then they were disturbed by military coups in 1991 and 2006. Thailand is mostly governed by society's elites, particularly the military junta and the rich and influential of Bangkok. Most prime ministers since military rule have been retired generals, who often create political parties based on their own personalities. Additionally, Thailand's aristocratic classes also have significant power and influence. The country's head of state, King Bhumiphol Adulyadej, has ruled since 1946 and has occupied a position that enjoys usually extremely strong support from Thai society. He is widely respected and influential, and is used to intervening in political crises and influencing the government. The rural poor were often overlooked in Thai politics, until the emergence of Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin's riseThaksin did not come from the older Thai elites, but instead was born in Chiang Mai to a relatively lower class background as a police officer. He made his fortune providing cell phones and communications...... middle of paper ......nt and the Democratic party for illegitimate representation in government5. lack of social control: the entity that is to be changed must be at least somewhat open to change; if the social movement is repressed quickly and forcefully, it may never materialize. The Red Shirts are not repressed, instead they are a great force to be reckoned with, particularly popular among the rural and urban poor,6. mobilization: this is the actual organizational and active component of the movement; people do what needs to be done The Red Shirts have mobilized supporters to stage political protests in Bangkok against the democratic government. They called on then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call elections before the end of his mandate in 2012. This resulted in the deaths of over 80 civilians and 6 soldiers and the wounding of over 2,100 people..