IntroductionThe United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, or more commonly known in the international community as the Red Shirts, is a social movement formed to protest against the 2006 military coup in Thailand, then by the People's Alliance for Democracy, or Yellow Shirts. They believe in a political and judicial system that guarantees their universal human rights and a justice that is currently lacking in Thailand. Background of Thailand Thailand has been under military rule for most of its modern history since its establishment as a kingdom in 1932. For much of the 1970s, many rural areas were strictly controlled for reasons of national security. Democratic elections were not held until 1988, and were even disrupted by military coups in 1991 and 2006. Thailand is primarily ruled by society's elites, particularly the military junta and the wealthy and influential people of Bangkok. Since military rule, most prime ministers have been retired generals, who often create political parties based on their own personalities. Additionally, Thailand's aristocratic classes also wield considerable power and influence. The country's head of state, King Bhumiphol Adulyadej, has been in power since 1946 and occupies a position generally enjoying extremely strong support from Thai society. He is widely respected and influential, and had a history of intervening in political crises and influencing the government. The rural poor were often neglected in Thai politics, until the emergence of Thaksin Shinawatra. but he was born in Chiang Mai into a relatively lower class as a police officer. He made his fortune providing cell phones and community 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 powerfully, it may never come to fruition. The Red Shirts are not suppressed, but they are an important force to be reckoned with, particularly popular with the rural and urban poor. mobilization - this is the real organizing and active component of the movement; people do what needs to be doneThe Red Shirts mobilized their supporters to stage political protests in Bangkok against the democratic government. They called on then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve Parliament and hold elections before end-of-term elections scheduled for 2012. This resulted in the deaths of more than 80 civilians and 6 soldiers, and more 2,100 injured..