‘ผู้หญิงเสื้อแดง’ ในหมู่บ้านชานเมืองจังหวัดอุดรธานี: กรณีศึกษาประวัติชีวิต ความเปลี่ยนแปลงทางอารมณ์ และการเคลื่อนไหวทางการเมือง พ.ศ.2548 - 2564

Abstract

The thesis uses a microhistory approach to unpack and investigate, beyond written cultures, how the emotional regime of red-shirt women in a suburban area of Udon Thani developed and changed over time, influencing their involvement in the political oppositions that took place between 2005 and 2021. Though the three women chosen for this thesis come from a variety of backgrounds, they are all under the same emotional regime, making them appropriate to serve as representatives of other members of the red shirt group. To further provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the origins of their involvement in the red shirt political movement, this thesis also examines additional members of the red shirt group who share connections to the three women.

The research revealed that the three ladies who transformed into red shirts formed a new emotional regime, intricately linked to a number of historical events. Half a century ago, their employment at American military bases in the 1960s and in Bangkok in the 1970s provided them with "capitalist desire." However, women experienced unequal relationships based on gender, race, and class as a result of the "development" and "Thainess" discourses, which led to emotional suffering. In the late 1990s, there were opportunities for women to work in government organizations such as “Village Health Volunteers” (VHV), “Civil Defense Volunteers” (CDV), and Village Committees (VC). This gave them a sense of pride, as their uniforms resembled those of bureaucrats. It also boosted their confidence in their own capacities, as they had greater access to power and the ability to bring about societal change. However, they continued to encounter disparities in their interactions with government officials and politicians, leading to the persistent emotional distress these inequalities caused. Simultaneously, a strong commitment to civil rights and a need for societal transformation continue to serve as the underlying emotional foundations that motivate them to stand up for social equality and political democracy, especially when women living in the suburbs of Udon Thani have been continuously informed through new social media platforms that the primary cause of inequality lies in "Prai - Amat" relationships, which obstruct the operation of political democracy. A prime example is the "Radio Udon Lovers Club," which has disseminated anti-inequality ideas in public, leading to the formation of groups that share news and support each other. This has created an environment of “emotional refuge,” empowering women to develop mental resilience and bravery, enabling them to actively engage in political activities under the banner of the "Red Shirts.".

Following the suppression of the “Red Shirt protests” in 2010, the psychological distress experienced by Red Shirt women escalated due to various factors. These include the perception that they were being exploited as a political instrument by Red Shirt leaders and trusted politicians who, subsequently, demonstrated a lack of genuine commitment to democratic principles. Additionally, a negative connotation of the Red Shirts has emerged, such as "Red Shirts burn houses and cities" and the derogatory moniker "Red Buffaloes." Following this incident, these ladies underwent a shift in their viewpoint, transitioning from a concentration on individualism to a concerted effort in establishing and sustaining a network of "red shirts" in the suburban areas. Despite the government's efforts to motivate red shirt women to take on a less active role in politics through various activities after the events in 2010, the involvement of red shirt women in protests remains strong, as seen in 2017 when young individuals from other provinces and Bangkok started the protest, and red shirt women actively participated in the movement. The long-standing desire for equality and democracy is evident. Even after the election in 2023, the political positions of the red shirt women continue to be dedicated to the principles of decentralization, democracy, and the aspiration for social transformation.