Fresh Energy Needed to Challenge Thailand’s Military-monarchy System
Thailand’s struggle to strengthen and deepen its democracy faces a formidable opponent in the complex network that encompasses the country’s monarchy, military and political elite. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his political machine long seemed to be the force that could take on those entrenched interests. But no longer. A new generation of Thais, unencumbered by the past, is emerging to take up the challenge, writes Pavin Chachavalpongpun.
WHY WOULD THAILAND want to defeat its autocratic leaders? the simple answer is that democracy responds better to the needs of the people. What is more challenging, however, is to discuss why autocracy has persisted in thailand. the flipside of the discussion is equally important: Why have thais been unable to uproot autocracy? this short essay attempts to unravel these conundrums.
thailand’s royal democracy
thailand’s political development has travelled a rocky path. Although the absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932, the royal institution has remained fundamental to thai political life. in fact, the arrival of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946-2016) was destined to change thailand, and not necessarily for the benefit of democracy. Bhumibol was adamant in reviving royal political hegemony. in this process, he forged firm ties with the military. together, they became the forceful political engine that drove thailand for much of the second half of the twentieth century. the Cold War played its part in strengthening this monarchy-military alliance. the united states openly supported Bhumibol and a series of military regimes, an exercise put forward in the name of containing communism. the flourishing monarchy-military alliance served to entrench thailand’s autocratic political system, and as a by-product, to undermine the development of thai democracy.
how did this autocratic system manifest itself? the palace and the military successfully crafted King Bhumibol from an early age into an “alter
Uniform leadership: General Prayut Chan-o-cha at the cremation ceremony for King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok in 2017. The former leader of the junta that took control of Thailand in 2014 was returned as prime minister after elections in 2019.