The Redshirts

Anti-government protestors in Bangkok

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Four government soldiers guard a bus station in downtown Bangkok
People leaving the barricaded encampment under the Sky Train overpass
Uniformed riot police guarding a road
Thai protestors sitting under the overpass flashing peace signs
Regular Thai police sitting outside a shopping complex with pedestrians passing by
Pile of police helmets and riot shields ready for use
Groups of protestors sleeping on straw mats under the overpass
Local TV news conducting interviews with protestors in the camp
Regular police blocking off a shopping street, leaning on the barricade
Protestor selling red shirt merchandise, guard sitting on car tyres at the entrance of the camp
Soldier guarding shopping street, holding his rifle like a club
Red shirt protestors camping out on straw mats, waiting
Group of riot police officers reading books and waiting in front of a gated bank entrance
Razor wire rolls readied for use along a street
Entrance guard to the camp raising his fist to the air next to a barricade of bamboo stakes and car tyres
Cars passing by a large tyre and bamboo barricade in downtown Bangkok

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About The Redshirts

In early 2010, Bangkok was practically shut down by anti-government protestors belonging to the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). They were colloquially known as Red Shirts. Fighting broke out between national security forces and the UDD protestors. Security forces used tear gas, armored personell carriers, and live ammunition to disperse the crowds. The Red Shirts also used firearms in their struggle, as well as moltow cocktails and catapults. In the lulls between the fighting, boredom is widespread — everyone is waiting for the next confrontation. In the meantime, both sides read, eat and nap.

Fierce clashes occurred for months in and around the blockades in downtown Bangkok.

About the uprising project

The Uprising project revolves around the right to protest and demonstrate. These happenings are commonly portrayed as flare ups, especially if there is violence, and presented without the context of what lead to the outbreak and what happens during these demonstrations. Inside these uprisings, communities form between sometimes very diverse groups. We aim to show the story of people who sometimes risk their lives for their convictions — even if that means just being there and waiting.

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