Pro-government protesters on the outskirts of Bangkok in a show of force following PM Yingluck Shinawatra's ouster, May, 2014. Vincent Thian/Press Association. All rights reserved.For some years now Thailand has been undergoing a colossal political crisis, resulting in the 2014 coup d’état, the second military coup in the past 8 years. This was triggered by the rise of populist Thaksin Shinawatra within Thai politics. Fear of his powers mobilized the middle-class, elites and military against Thaksin. Specifically, two military coups were aimed at putting an end to “Thaksin’s party”, but both failed to achieve their goal. Thai society continues to be divided, and the pro-Thaksin movement (Red Shirts) retains its strength.
Thailand’s dictatorial regime recently held a referendum on a new constitution, aimed at reasserting control over Thai politics. Thai people voted in favor of the new constitution believing that it might restore stability. However this seems far from likely while Thailand’s political processes continue to be controlled by the military. More likely, the junta’s voting system in the next elections will produce a weak coalition administration and a Senate appointed by the army.
So why did the military decide to end the rule of Thaksin’s party? What was the impact of his populism on the nature of Thailand’s political system? And what is the ultimate purpose behind the junta’s ‘New Constitution’?
