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People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)

People's Democratic Reform Committee
คณะกรรมการประชาชนเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็นประชาธิปไตยที่สมบูรณ์ อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข
Abbreviation PDRC; กปปส.
Formation 31 October 2013 (2013-10-31)
29 November 2013 (2013-11-29) (formed officially)
Extinction 22 May 2014 (2014-05-22)
Legal status Defunct
Purpose Removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence on Thai politics
Political reform (before election)
Location
Region served
Thailand
Membership
  • Former members of the Democrat Party
  • Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NPRST)
  • The PAD rebranded as the "People's Movement to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime" (Pefot)
  • Dharma Army
Secretary-General
Suthep Thaugsuban
Budget
>10 million Thai Baht daily (January 2014 estimate)

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) or People's Committee for Absolute Democracy with the King as Head of State (PCAD) (Thai: คณะกรรมการประชาชนเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็นประชาธิปไตยที่สมบูรณ์ อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข, กปปส., literally "people's committee for changing Thailand into a complete democracy with the king as head of state") was an umbrella political pressure group in Thailand, aimed at removing the influence of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from Thai politics and achieve political reforms by an unelected 'People's Council'. The group played a leading role in the 2013–14 Thai political crisis, organising large-scale protests within Bangkok.

The group was formed on 29 November 2013 by protest leader and former Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban, who appointed himself as secretary-general. The movement was supported by various organisations including the Democrat Party, the People's Alliance for Democracy (a coalition of opposition to Thaksin), student activist groups, state worker's unions and pro-military groups. The PDRC's support stemmed mostly from affluent Bangkokians and Southerners. Whistle-blowing was a central symbol of the protests.

By accusing the government of lacking any legitimacy, Suthep Thaugsuban announced the intention of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to take back sovereign power from the government and proceed with national reform through a non-elected royalist council, in order to "eradicate" the "Thaksin regime". Suthep outlined plans for the council to "act as a legislative body, amend laws and regulations, as well as carry out a reform plan in the country". He also explained the council would have 400 members, 300 of whom would be representatives from various professions. The remaining 100 would be selected by the PDRC from scholars and well-respected senior citizens.


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