Challenging Power: Youth Activism in the Thai Pro-Democracy Movement (2020-2022)

Abstract

This study explores the role of youth in the pro-democracy movement in Thailand (2020-2022) and the ways in which Thai youth are challenging traditional power structures. Through an analysis of the movement’s trajectory from its start to its current state, the research discusses the various ways in which youth are challenging the status quo. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the movement through the lens of the activists, tracking the development of the protest movement alongside the activists' reflections on their involvement. The discussion follows the phases of the movement; from mobilization on the individual level to the peak of the movement, followed by a discussion of state repression and implications of the movement as a whole. The research is based on a four-months fieldwork in Thailand from September 2022-December 2022, where research was conducted utilizing qualitative research methods, such as interviews with young activists and observation of protests. The collected data material reveals that youth activists in the pro-democracy movement have disrupted traditional ways of thinking and shaken the foundations of Thai society. Overall, this study aims to provide new and valuable insights into the ways in which youth activists challenge power structures and fight for democratic rights in Thailand by amplifying the voices of the youth activists.