Red Shirts

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship or UDD are commonly referred to as 'Red Shirts'.  As a political pressure group they are diametrically opposed to the People's Alliance for Democracy and their actions.  There have been many open clashes between the two groups.  The UDD was originally formed to protest the military coup and subsequent military government, which overthrew the Thaksin government in 2006.  Their protest stopped after the 2007 general election won by the People's Power Party.  The UDD organized a number of  counter demonstrations during the 2008 crisis.  After Abhisit Vejjajiva became Prime Minister, the UDD organized major anti-government for the next two years, insisting that the Democrat led coalition was not legitimate and calling for new elections.  The UDD protested led to several violent clashes with the army where more than 80 civilians were killed and 1378 were injured.  In the final military crackdown, UDD leader surrender to prevent further bloodshed, while the famous shopping district of Ratchaprasong was set on fire.