Origin of the Red Path Party

The Origin od Red Path Party :

“Red Path” is the name of the activist movement for humanity and democracy that began in 2010 after the crackdown on the mass gatherings at Ratchaprasong calling for democracy, a hugely important time in the history of the Thai nation, with Anurack Jeantawanich (aka Ford Redpath) establishing the activist group. The movement can be divided into two periods. The first is from 2010 to 2013, before the coup of the NCPO (National Council for Peace and Order). It was activist project emphatically on the side of humanity, in the form of bicycling long distances to visit and check on the Red Shirts, and to care for those affected by the crackdown on the mass gatherings at Ratchaprasong, for instance, the families of the heroes who were killed, those injured, and the orphans. The Red Path group went out on 6 bicycle tours, with each tour lasting 4-8 weeks, totaling 2,000-4,000 kilometers over a period of three years. We bicycled for democracy in 6 Asian countries, specifically Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, and China (Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture), setting an unofficial world record for bicycling for democracy of 18,000 kilometeres. We distributed money and donations over one million bath in our activities.

After the coup in 2014, Red Path changed the format of its activities to visiting political prisoners who were arrested and jailed by the NCPO (the junta), including lese majesty cases, cases related to political assembly, the cases against members of the Khon Kaen model whose accused to be terrorists in Northeast of Thailand and many more. We visited and checked on men and women imprisoned throughout the country, including Bangkok Remand Prison, the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, Chiang Mai Prison, Khon Kaen Prison, and so on, bringing forward and publicizing their stories and the injustice they had received. In 2016, we came out campaigning “Vote No,” asking the Thai people not to accept the junta-written draft constitution.

In 2018, Red Path finished the activity of visiting prisoners and turned to campaigning for elections along with the student movement for democracy in Thailand and later established a group called the Citizens Want Elections Group and came out campaigning legally within the framework of the Public Assemblies Act–– including presenting letters to the United Nations, the European Union, and the Constitution Court to object to the dissolution of the Thai Raska Chart Party, investigating cheating in the election, collecting signatures on a petition to dismiss the election commission, calling for the side that won the election to be the one to establish the government, and so on––in order that elections would take place fairly and honestly. We did this until confronted with a series of serious physical assaults on the activists. After the political parties on the side of the military became the ones to set up a government, our group came out with a “Change” campaign to change the constitution of 2017, and we joined with the House of Representatives, having gotten permission in writing from the Speaker of the House to gather 50,000 signatures in order to submit to Parliament’s House of Representatives for their approval to revoke the 2017 constitution and take the 1997constitution and use it in its entirety, and this campaign will be the main policy of the Red Path Party in the next elections.

Origin of the Red Path Party :

The Red Path Group is a group of activists who have long experience of fighting for democracy. After 10 years of experience with activism in a movement, the Red Path Group has decided to set up a political party to succeed in carrying out its duty to fight for a democracy of the people, reserving the name “Red Path Party” with the Election Commission of Thailand on January 19, 2010, and the Red Path Group has invited Professor Sudsongwan Suthisorn (Ahjahn Toum), a former scholar of the pro-democracy side, to be the president, advising the party. The first task is to proceed to gather 500 founding members along with registration funds of 1 million baht within the first half of 2020.

Philosophy of Red Path Party :

The Red Path Party was established by fighters in the struggle for democracy who hold fast to their principles. The aim is to get things done for the citizens regardless of shirt color.

Allies of the party include academics, soldiers, police, teachers, government employees, lawyers, students, young people with dreams, farmers and workers in agriculture, businessmen, and human rights experts. The Party has policy of being widely open so all these people can come have a part in creating the party and bringing their views to determine the policies of the party, in order that the Red Path Party truly is a party of the people, created by the people, working for the people.

Symbol and Motto :

The symbol of the party is three people raising their hands, and it uses the colors of the national flag to communicate meaning. The person in the middle is red, signifying that the nation is people. The white signifies religion. The blue signifies the institution of the monarchy. The raising of the hands signifies the victory of people throughout the nation. Our slogan is “Democratic Principles to Serve the People”

People’s Participation :

1) If you want to apply for membership or offer suggestions for the establishment of the party, you can post your comment below or send a text message. No matter who you are, your suggestions are valuable and important to us. Please tell us where, in your view, the country’s development must go and by what route, how would you like to see individuals grow up and mature in society, and how would you like the state to look after you in the last part of life. This is an opportunity for you to take part in creating a political party that really does belong to the citizens.
2) If you would like to support the establishment of the Red Path Party, no matter how much or little, your money will be put towards the required registration fee with the Election Commission. It’s an account that will be looked after by Khun Ford Redpath and one other representative of the activists. Siam Commercial Bank. Saving account 224-248963-0 Account name is Mr.Prija Ekachat and Mr.Anurak Jeantawanich
3) If you would like to help recruit founding members or would like to join us as one of the work team of the Red Path Party, please contact LINE : ford1968 or 081-5836964

**The Red Path Party will hold fast to its principles without fading**