Thaksin was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 , when he was ousted by a coup following protests by the anti-Thaksin People 's Alliance for Democracy ( PAD , " Yellow Shirts " ) . However , his supporters were brought back to power in a new election following the enactment of new constitution in 2007 . The PAD protested against the government through most of 2008 , and the ruling party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court . The opposition Democrat Party , led by Abhisit Vejjajiva , formed a government , but also faced protests by the opposing Red Shirt movement led by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship . This led to a violent military crackdown in May 2010 . Another Thaksin-aligned party won the election in 2011 , installing his sister Yingluck Shinawatra as prime minister . Renewed anti-government protests began in November 2013 , and continued until the military again staged a coup in May 2014 . Coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha took power as prime minister , and oversaw systemic suppression of political freedom before finally allowing elections in 2019
military crackdown in May 2010
2010 Thai military crackdown
History of Thailand since 2001