Further than desired travel destinations, Thailand is also well known by the political conflict. This conflict has produced many political memes. The well known one is “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt”. Both of them are a symbol of 2 different groups of protestors. Further than the movement, an interesting phenomenon has been existed, yellow and red coloured shirts are avoided to wear in daily life. This piece of writing will examine the reason that “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt” memes become a part of daily life.
In late 2005, the first group of protestor was established, People’s Alliance of Democracy. A massive group of people, majority of them live in Bangkok, gathered with an attempt to move the prime minister, at that time was Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, out of his position. Initially they didn’t adopt anything as a symbol to represent their group. After the group was enlarged by many people joining the group, the group began to use the symbol. It chose a yellow coloured shirt to be a symbol of the group.
The yellow coloured shirt, as a symbol, means loyalty to the King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Back then in 2006, Thailand had the massive celebration for the king, 60th Anniversary Celebrations of Bhumibol Aduljadej. The main colour that was mainly used is yellow. The objective of the protest, which was claimed by the leaders of protestor, was to make the country better by eliminating corruption for their king. The yellow coloured shirt, hence, was employed as a symbol of the protester group and became the well know “Yellow shirt” protestor.
On the other hand, a group of movement supporting Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra joined together as the red shirt protestor. In order to fight against yellow shirt group, the group of people supporting Mr. Thaksin was established as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship. The purpose of this movement, which was claimed by the group leader, was fighting against dictatorship and obviously supporting Mr Thaksin. The group purposely employed “Red” as a symbol of the movement. Due to the meaning of red on the National flag of Thailand, red is referred to the country. Moreover, the group intend to wear red coloured shirt in order to show that they are rival of the yellow shirt group. Finally, this becomes the “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt” meme.
A brief story of “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt”. : http://bbc.in/1hzLsgO
After a long time of fighting between two groups, the memes, “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt”, have been transferred to be an aspect in daily life. Since 2006 thai people have avoided to wear yellow or red coloured shirt in public area until now. Even particular event or celebration, yellow and red still be the last option for people to choose. The reason that these memes cause impact on society is an aspect of itself.
First of all, shirt, as a meme, is easily applied to an aspect of daily basis. Shirt is a thing that certainly presents several details of an individual, social class, style, attitude for instance. Moreover, it also be a tool for individuals to express themselves. Moreover, “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt ” are wisely chose to be a group symbol, due to the reason of clearly expression. People can only wear a yellow or red coloured shirt in order to express their political attitude. Therefore, yellow shirt and read shirt meme can be easily transferred to daily life.
People avoid wearing yellow and red shirt by the reason of safety concern. These memes aren’t only a symbol of protestor, but also be a symbol of violence. Conflicts among two groups of supporter have been occurred through out the country. Some of them turned to be violence fighting among supporters.These enhance people to connect the protestor and violation. Moreover, people who intend to wear yellow or red shirt are perceived as a hard core supporter, who don’t hesitate to fight with their opponent. Hence, all kind of meme related to protest is avoided.
Since 2006, political instabilities have been occurred many times along with many political memes. Some of them were forgotten by time. On the other hand, some of them have been developed but still existed until now. The memes “Yellow shirt” and “Red shirt” are an example of the meme that can affect daily routine of thai people. They were established 8 years ago. They have been gradually infected to daily life, thai people have avoided to wear yellow or red coloured shirt until now.
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