Analysing the protests

This involves a group of people with something in common – in this case, support for the Democrats and hatred of Thaksin – exhibiting fear, anxiety and extreme excitement. The common fear and hatred of Thaksin spiralled into panic as the protesters fed off each other’s emotions and the panic was expressed in strange behaviour. Mass hysteria can take the form of group dancing without music, laughing without cause, crying for no reason, witch-hunting, seeing sea monsters, wearing Guy Fawkes masks or blowing whistles. (The last two can occur simultaneously.)

If I were Prime Minister Yingluck, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Mass hysteria usually dies down of its own accord. The protesters will eventually come out of their trance and wonder what they are doing at the Democracy Monument.

Somsak Pola

Samut Prakan