NEW SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOVEMENT OF THAI YOUTH, CASE STUDY: 2014 – 2022

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) Examine the formation of new political social movements among Thai youth, 2) Synthesize the strategies of struggle and negotiation employed by these movements, and 3) Develop a model for preventing and resolving problems arising from such youth-led movements. This is a qualitative study that utilized semi-structured interviews and in-depth interviews with 25 key informants, including youth political leaders, activists, political science scholars, human rights advocates, and journalists. The data were analyzed within relevant contextual frameworks and presented in a descriptive manner. The research findings reveal that the formation of new political social movements among Thai youth involves collective activities aimed at opposing military coups, creating discussion platforms, and exchanging views across networks driven by a shared democratic ideology. The synthesis of their strategies for struggle and negotiation shows that youth activists adhere to five core principles: 1) Democracy, 2) Justice, 3) Participation, 4) Human rights, and 5) Nonviolence. Regarding the model for preventing and resolving problems associated with these movements, it was found that the youth adopt a conciliatory approach, studying the legal boundaries and their capacity to negotiate, while ensuring their actions remain within the framework of nonviolent principles. Their primary tactics center on organized collective actions, often involving coalitions of diverse groups. These actions are supported by the strategic use of online platforms-such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for disseminating information, spreading media content, and facilitating group mobilization in the pursuit of democratic reforms.