A Model for Addressing Political Movements Affecting Unrest in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to 1) explore the context and challenges of political movements causing unrest in Bangkok, 2) investigate methods and solutions for addressing these movements, and 3) develop a model to resolve political unrest in the city. The research involved Bangkok residents, with 17 participants selected via purposive sampling for in-depth interviews and 10participants, including affected residents, political scholars, protest representatives, and government officials, for focus group discussions. The findings indicated that 1) political movements in Bangkok arose from public dissatisfaction with government administration. Key contributing factors included: (1) social inequality, resulting from disparities in education, income, and access to services; (2) lack of transparency in governance, eroding public trust and creating perceptions of unfair decision-making; (3) excessive use of force in addressing public demands, such as protest dispersals and arrests, and (4) Bangkok’s role as a political and economic hub, making it a focal point for demonstrations that frequently led to unrest. 2) Solutions identified included (1) establishing neutral dialogue spaces for constructive discussions between protesters and the government, (2) reducing violence by adopting negotiation and positive communication to ease tensions, (3) implementing structural political reforms to enhance transparency and promote justice, and (4) reviewing the role of mass media to encourage balanced and neutral reporting, reducing misinformation and conflict. 3) The proposed PEACE Model for resolving unrest emphasized five components: (1) Participation, involving all sectors in decision-making; (2) Equity, ensuring fairness and equal treatment; (3) Accountability, promoting responsibility for actions; (4) Collaboration, fostering cooperation between the government and citizens, and (5) Empowerment, enhancing citizens’ capacity for political engagement. This model aimed to build trust, increase public confidence in government, reduce social tensions, prevent future conflicts, and foster sustainable national development.