The Role of Social Media in Political Mobilization Among Youth in Thailand: Case Study of the 2020 Thai Protests

Abstract

The 2020 Thai protests marked a significant shift in the country’s political landscape, driven largely by youth-led movements and the power of social media. This paper explores how social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Line, played a pivotal role in organizing protests, fostering political discourse, and shaping the political identity of Thai youth. With demands for constitutional reform, monarchy reform, and government accountability, the protests revealed the growing influence of digital activism in a country traditionally dominated by state-controlled media. Social media not only provided a space for youth to express their political opinions but also enabled them to bypass censorship, create global awareness, and maintain momentum throughout the protests. The paper examines how social media has empowered young people to become active political agents, transcending traditional methods of activism and creating a new era of youth-driven digital engagement.