Civil Disobedience under Thai Crony Capitalism

Abstract

"This paper will illustrate what the western academics have debated about social rights or social democracy under complex societies. Most of these scholars were referred to in Kate Nash's book entitled 'Contemporary Political Sociology: Globalization, Politics and Power'(2000). Development of Thai civil society or social movement since the starting point of modern democracy in 1973 will be historically described. The present situation of human rights abuse, while new governmental projects under populist policies are offered to the poor day-by-day, will be compiled from the critics of Thai intellectuals in academics, autonomous bodies and NGOs collected from the Nations and Bangkok Post newspapers during the whole month of May, 2003. Finally, new role of social movement in Thailand will be recommended i.e. establishing its own political party which is similar to Green Party (Die Grunen) of Germany then finding more popularity in each national election so that more seats gained in the parliament will give the party a chance to enact appropriate laws for the poor."