United Front For Democracy Against Dictatorship
The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) (Thai: แนวร่วมประชาธิปไตยต่อต้านเผด็จการแห่งชาติ; นปช., alternatively translated as "National Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship"), whose supporters are commonly called "Red Shirts", is a political pressure group opposed to the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the 2006 Thai military coup, and supporters of the coup. Notable UDD leaders include Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua, Veera Musikapong, Charan Ditthapichai and Weng Tojirakarn. The UDD allies itself with the Pheu Thai Party, which is currently in office in a coalition government. Before July 2011 national elections, the UDD claimed that Abhisit Vejjajiva's government took power 'illegitimately', backed by the Thai Army and the judiciary. Therefore, the UDD called for the Thai Parliament to be dissolved so that a general re-election could be held. UDD accuses the country's extra-democratic elite – the military, judiciary, certain members of the Privy Council, and other unelected officials – of undermining democracy by interfering in politics. The UDD is composed of mostly rural masses from Northeast (Isan) and North Thailand, of urban lower classes from Bangkok and of some intellectuals. Although the movement seems to receive support from former Prime Minister in exile Thaksin Shinawatra, not all UDD members support the deposed Prime Minister.
Read more about United Front For Democracy Against Dictatorship: History, The UDD As The PAD's Opposition: 2008 Clashes, 2009 Unrest, 2010 Protests, 2011, 2012, Criticism
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