It is very convenient to say that a corrupt deposed politician is funding the uprising; this propaganda will make the pending crackdown seem legitimate.  But, like the illegitimate deposition of the previously elected popular government, the people in Thailand that suggest the uprising is just some “terrorist” action or corrupt political scheme are most likely members of the elite or employees of foreign corporations who want to avoid the prevent a return of the deposed government’s policies for reducing Thailand’s glaring inequities, its sweatshops, its sex trade, its sex-based tourism, its human trafficking, and its poverty-induced migration.  International business firms are anxious to avoid any uprising by the poor workers that are so important for the “everyday low prices” in developed countries.
No, what we are seeing in Thailand is not so simple a matter as a corrupt politician seeking to return to power.  I would urge everyone to do some background reading before taking sides in this conflict.  You will most likely find yourself wanting to put on red shirt too!

The common thought from people I know in Thailand is
that the corrupt, deposed, billionaire, former prime
minister Thaksin is funding the red shirts.  He is most
likely paying the poor country folks to riot and raise
hell.  He poses a serious danger to the peace and
stability of Thailand and the entire region.