The six faces of Thailand's turmoil

Who are the key players in Thai politics?

Here are six faces you should know.

1. Thaksin Shinawatra

You're either with him, or against him. Such is the power of Thaksin, who hasn't even step foot in Thailand for the last five years.

The pro-government "Red Shirts" supporters are loyal to him. The anti-government "Yellow Shirts" supporters are united by their dislike for him.

The former prime minister was overthrown in a military-led coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a corruption conviction.

2. Yingluck Shinawatra

It's the clone wars and you're just another Thaksin. At least that's what the anti-government supporters think of Yingluck, the youngest sister of Thaksin.

Thaksin himself has called her his clone. Before her, there was Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, who headed the country in 2008.

Yingluck won the 2011 elections and became Thailand's first female prime minister​.

She continued her brother's legacy by launching several populist policies. The court recently removed her from office.

Last year, her party pushed for a controversial amnesty bill, which critics say would allow Thaksin to return. That bill was what started the demonstrations.

3. General Prayuth Chan-ocha​

He's the man behind the current "not-coup" in Thailand.

He has declared martial law and censored the media because of the violence in the country which has killed nearly 30 people.

Gen Prayuth​ has been publicly asking rival political groups to talk to each other.

Thailand has seen 18 actual or attempted military takeovers since 1932. The general says this is NOT one of them.

The army chief is believed to have been in the inner circle of the military when it ousted Thaksin from office.​

4. Suthep Thaugsuban

He's the face of the opposition. He ​resigned as a lawmaker last year to lead rallies against the controversial amnesty law. 

His role has since evolved to become leader of a movement to sweep away Yingluck’s administration and the Shinawatra​ family's sway in the government.

He was the deputy prime minister in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration (2008 to 2011). 

Suthep and Abhisit face murder charges for allegedly ordering crackdowns on pro-Thaksin protesters in 2010, which resulted in 90 deaths. 

5. Abhisit Vejjajiva

​The former prime minister is the leader of the opposition Democrat Party. 

He's been trying to find a "middle ground solution that can move the country forward".

The recently imposed martial law, however, means he has had little success.

A pity considering that last month​, Yingluck herself urged all parties to give moral support to Abhisit in his efforts to break the political deadlock.

6. Jatuporn Prompan​

The last on the list, but certainly not the least. Jatuporn is one of the main leaders of the Red Shirts.  

He has been defending Yingluck's administration since day one of the protests against the bill. 

Jatuporn has been mobilising thousands of people to show their support for the government.​

He and Suthep have been meeting at the private talks called by General Prayuth.