แกนนำพัธมิตรทั้ง 5 555555+
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) (Thai: พันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย; also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, the National Liberation Party - พลพรรคกู้ชาติ, and the Yellow Shirts - คนเสื้อเหลือง) was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include media-mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, and former ISOC leader Pallop Pinmanee. It was one of the chief players in the Thailand political crisis from 2005 to 2006. The PAD consists of middle and upper-class Bangkokians and Southerners, supported by the conservative elite, factions of the Thai Army, and state-enterprise labor unions. In September 2006, the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy overthrew Thaksin's elected government, canceled upcoming elections, and dissolved the constitution. Two days after this military coup, the PAD voluntarily dissolved after announcing that its goals had been accomplished.
The PAD re-established itself after Thaksin-affiliated parties, led by Samak Sundaravej, won the 2007 general election. In August and September 2008, PAD members seized the Government House in a bid to pressure the Samak government to resign. They were joined by tens of thousands of supporters, including state union workers, and the Srivichai Warriors - the PAD's paramilitary guards - who barricaded themselves in with barbed wire, bamboo spikes, and an impromptu electric fence. After Samak stated that he would not quit, PAD forces seized airports in Phuket, Krabi, and Hat Yai, blocking off major roads, and stopped train operations across the Kingdom. Armed Srivichai Warriors seized a television broadcaster, the government-owned National Broadcasting Service of Thailand, as well as several government ministries. Attempts to evict the forces from NBST headquarters were successful, but PAD forces remained barricaded in Government House. Violence between PAD and anti-PAD protesters has, as of 3 September 2008, left dozens injured and one person of unknown political views dead. Various labor unions supporting the PAD threatened to shut off electricity, water, and water services, although they failed to follow up on their threats. The PAD has threatened that its wealthy members could lead a massive bank run that could destabilize the Thai economy if the Samak government does not quit.
The PAD called for the resignation of the governments of Thaksin Shinawatra and Samak Sundaravej, who the PAD accuses of being a proxy for and defender of Thaksin. Citing the claimed failure of popular democracy in Thailand and the inability of rural voters to elect a favorable Parliament, the PAD has demanded constitutional amendments that would make the Parliament a largely royally-appointed body. It was strongly opposed to Thaksin's controversial but popular populist economic policies and attempts to decentralize political power. It was also opposed to the Samak government's decision to support the Cambodian government in applying for the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site. The PAD is largely composed of royalists, has regularly invoked king Bhumibol Adulyadej in its protests, and has claimed that its enemies are disloyal to the monarchy. It has openly called for the palace, the military, and Thailand's traditional elite to take a greater role in politics. General Pathompong Kesornsuk, a close aid of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, appeared in full uniform at PAD protests claiming Prem’s consent and urging his fellow soldiers to follow suit.
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