International Viewpoint Archive

The Fourth International’s English-language review, from 1982

Thailand: On the Structure of Thai Society and the Strategy of the Revolution — Document

International Viewpoint No. 104, 15 September 1986 · p 17 · 450 words

South and Southeast Asia

On the structure of Thai society and the strategy is a new-model democratic revolution.

C. The targets of the revolution:

Imperialism, comprador bureaucrat feudalism capitalism together with form a reactionary alliance. Thus the of the revolution I. On the structure of Thai society: An initial conclusion.

Originating from the unequal treaties made with England in 1855 and with other Western countries, the incursion of imperialism transformed Thai feudalism into a virtual semi-colonial semi-feudal state.

After World War II, when the colonial system collapsed, imperialism employed a new form of colonialism as the most important method of intruding into various countries. In the last 20 years the Thai ruling class has opened the doors for investment by international monopoly capitalism, and the comprador bureaucrat capitalism, to increase rapidly. At the same time the feudal mode of production has declined.

At present the structure of Thai society is still semi-colonial. Instead of a natural economy based on domestic production and consumption, it has been transformed into a commodity-based economy. The monopoly capitalism of imperialism and the capitalism of the comprador bureaucrat class have grown greatly, and combined with feudalist elements, they now control the economy of the country. National capitalism, while itself under pressure, has internal targets are the comprador bureaucrat capitalism and feudalism. The external target is imperialism, particularly American imperialism. At present the internal targets are considered to be prominent and our energies are focused on attacking the reactiongovernment which is considered ary the representative of all three reactionary forces.

The target to be attacked, whether internal or external, could change in priority according to the situation, or for strategic and tactical purposes. D. The leading class and the forces of the revolution:

The proletariat is the leading class. The proletariat, the peasants and small-scale capitalism are the basic forces of the revolution. The class of national capitalists, and all those with capitalist allowing the economy, especially foreign monopoly capitalism

Tanks in Bangkok at the time of the 1981 coup (DR)

also managed to grow, thanks to the patriotic and democratic ideals, are also considered a revolutionary force. E. The duties of the revolution:

To strengthen the basic revolutionary forces; to increase the effectiveness of the people's armed forces; to encourage patriotic and democratic moves to overthrow the rule of comprador bureaucrat capitalism and feudalism; to oppose the oppressive of imperialism; to found a influence new Thailand with an independent, democratic and prosperous future. F. The path of the revolution:

To stand by the armed struggle based in the countryside, as well as the economic, political and other forms of struggle; to unite countryside and city so as finally to seize state power.

Communist Party of Thailand IVth Congress, 1982

← Thailand: Interview with a Member of the CPT Central Committee · Thailand: Present Policy of the CPT — Document →

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