The Formation, Roles, and Development of We Volunteer and Its Impacts on the 2020 Thai Youth Movement

Abstract

           This research article examines the formation, role, and development of We Volunteer and its impact on the Thai youth movement of 2020. The foundation of this study arises from the attempt to answer why “guards” or security personnel are frequently seen in protest movements, particularly within the Thai civil society movements, especially in political contexts. It is found that most protests include a section called “the guard” as part of their organizational structure. While the role of the guards may differ in various movements, their primary mission remains consistent: to ensure the safety of protesters, protect key individuals, and facilitate the smooth running of the demonstration.

            Through both documentary research and interviews, it was discovered that the factors leading to the establishment of the guard section in Thai civil society movements are: (1) a lack of trust between protesters and state authorities. This refers to the fact that state officials, under the Thai democratic system, often violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens in expressing themselves through protests; and (2) the inability of state authorities to facilitate protests according to democratic principles. These two factors led to the creation of a “guard” section by protest groups to ensure the effective exercise of their rights, as well as to protect the protesters, since state officials often harbor biases against protest groups, resulting in rights violations and physical violence.

               In addition to exploring why civil society movements in Thailand require guards, the researcher also studied the formation, role, and development of the We Volunteer group, which acts as security for Thai youth movement in 2020. The study found that the role of We Volunteer is more dynamic than just providing security at protest sites; they also play a crucial role in supporting the effectiveness of Thai youth movement in 2020. Furthermore, the guard section plays an important role in the strategy of nonviolence, which directly affects the success or failure of the movement.