Abstract

This article argues that the 2020–2022 youth liberation movement in Thailand represents a crucial politico-economic force calling for an alternative version of Thai capitalism. In contrast to existing literature that views the contest between young protesters and the military-backed government as a generation division and national polarisation, this article argues that the movement is a catalyst for the rearticulation and restructuring of Thai capitalism. The movement has prioritised democracy but has also targeted Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s economic policy that exacerbates economic disparity. This emphasis urges us to revisit the history of Thailand’s capitalism. While some in Thailand had benefited spectacularly during periods of capitalist expansion, facilitated by links between capitalists and the state, the movement’s political agenda seeks a capitalism that is less oppressive and more egalitarian. This has caused generational tensions, even among members of the same family. By highlighting such complex tensions associated with capitalism, family, and the state, the youth liberation movement has brought the country to a crossroads, calling for a societal transformation and new economic practices that modify or reform existing capitalism through measures such as the welfare state, a universal basic income, and income redistribution.

摘要

本文认为，2020-2022 年泰国青年解放运动代表了一股重要的政治经济力量，呼吁建立泰国资本主义的替代版本。现有文献将年轻抗议者与军方支持的政府之间的竞争视为代际分裂和国家两极分化，本文认为，这场运动是泰国资本主义重新表达和重组的催化剂。该运动优先考虑民主，但也针对总理巴育·占奥差 (Prayuth Chan-ocha) 加剧经济差距的经济政策。这种强调促使我们重新审视泰国资本主义的历史。尽管在资本主义扩张时期，泰国的一些人在资本家与国家之间的联系的推动下受益匪浅，该运动的政治议程寻求一种更少压迫、更平等的资本主义。这造成了代际紧张，甚至在同一家庭的成员之间也是如此。通过强调与资本主义、家庭和国家相关的复杂紧张关系，青年解放运动将国家带到了十字路口，呼吁社会转型和新的经济实践，通过福利国家、全民基本收入和收入再分配。