The silent power of the Thai military in society
In Thailand, the military plays a much larger role than in most democratic countries. Not only as a defender of the territory, but also as a powerful player in domestic politics and the economy. This influence is deeply rooted in history and continues to this day in almost all layers of society.
Historical roots of military power
Since the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, the military has been a central player in Thai politics. Military coups are the norm rather than the exception: more than ten successful coups have been carried out since 1932. The military sees itself as the guardian of national unity, the monarchy and stability. This trinity, nation, religion, king, forms the foundation of military thinking. Any perceived threat to these pillars is used as a justification for intervention.
The army as a political power
Although Thailand is formally a parliamentary democracy, the military regularly places itself above politics. This is evident not only in coups, but also in constitutional amendments that legally enshrine military influence. For example, the 2017 constitution, drawn up under a military junta, has ensured that the appointed senate maintains a firm grip on the government. Generals often hold important government posts and former military personnel are prominently present in parliament.
Economic power and interests
The military’s influence also extends to the economy. It owns large tracts of land, runs media companies and has interests in sectors such as infrastructure, construction and energy. In addition, military institutions run their own hospitals, schools and golf courses. This economic entanglement strengthens the military’s position within the Thai elite and makes reform particularly difficult.
Impact on civil society
The military’s influence extends deeply into daily life. Schools and universities promote patriotic and monarchical ideals, often under the auspices of military structures such as the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Criticism of the military, or of the monarchy, is hardly tolerated. Strict laws such as the lèse-majesté law make open criticism dangerous and severely restrict freedom of expression.
Consequences for democracy
The military’s dominance hampers the development of a stable democracy. Although elections do take place, they are often influenced by military interference, censorship, and legal barriers to opposition parties. Reforms that threaten military interests are almost always thwarted. As a result, Thai democracy remains fragile and superficial, with a power structure that is effectively outside parliament.
Closing
Anyone who really wants to understand Thailand must have a clear picture of the role of the army. The Thai army is not a neutral institution, but a powerful actor that is deeply embedded in society. Criticism of this role is risky within Thailand, but there is growing concern internationally. As long as the army is unwilling to relinquish its power, the call for more democratic space remains a pipe dream.
Sources:
- Chambers, P. (2013). Superfluous, exploitative, authoritarian, and monopolistic: Thailand's military. Asian Affairs: An American Review, 40(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/00927678.2013.751358
- Montesano, M.J., & Chachavalpongpun, P. (Eds.). (2012). “Seeking security in a turbulent region: The Thai military's evolving role”. ISEAS Publishing.
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One link is not really named, namely the one with the court. Soldiers swear allegiance to the ruler, not to the country. They are appointed by the same person.
This article says it all
https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/04/29/third-army-comes-out-to-defend-its-role-in-the-prosecution-of-professor-paul-chambers-in-phitsanulok/
The first source cited in this article is a contribution by P. (Paul) Chambers, a professor at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok for thirty years who has written extensively on the military influence on Thai politics and society.
A few months ago, he was accused by an army officer on unclear grounds of lèse majesté, the notorious article 112 of the Penal Code. He was imprisoned for one night and his passport was confiscated. This clearly illustrates the correct content of this article.
I translated an article about him and his indictment from The Diplomat. Read and shudder:
https://www.thailandblog.nl/nieuws-uit-thailand/wetenschapper-paul-chambers-van-de-naresuan-universiteit-in-phitsanulok-gevangen-gezet-wegens-verdenking-op-majesteitsschennis/
The man should have known better after 30 years as an academic specializing in Thai military history. He knew exactly what the content of the article argues. What good is it to provoke people and then be suspended. He gets off lightly because US-citizen and TH are currently in dispute with the US. Don't think you will be in good books if you comment in the same way in TH. So easy, all safely from an easy chair in the Netherlands.
“The man should have known better”??
He has been accused of insulting one or more persons named in Article 112 of the lèse majesté law, namely the King, the Queen, the Regent and the Heir to the Throne, in an announcement for a webinar on the website of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. See: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/thailands-2024-military-and-police-reshuffles-what-do-they-mean/
As you can read in that announcement, Paul Chambers is referred to in the third person and he denies having written or published that announcement.
Furthermore, I don't see what would be offensive about the claim that one person has more power than another. But given the previous motivations of decisions by courts, they have no problem 'making a sleeve' of it.
The Neo-feudal elites seem to be lashing out harder and harder.
This leads me to the remark that I find the term 'democracy' used in the blog article rather misplaced. At a local level this may still be the case, but at a national level the Thais are dealing with a 'Thai-style Neo-feudal dictatorship' in which the Thai born are allowed to vote every four years, after which the elites continue their absolute power with the help of the 'independent' institutions.
“The man should have known better”??
What do you base that on, Jozef?
What is offensive about the claim that one person has more power than another? A claim that was not even written and published by him.
Jozef, from what I read you know the text of the complaint against the academic. Would you like to share it with us? You can do it in Thai.
By the way, if you know Thailand a bit longer and better, you know, or should know, that art 112 is used to park undesirable people in a box for a few years or to 'clean up' political opponents in a soft way. The article of law screams for abuse because what exactly is LM?
By the way, you now say very often that someone is not allowed to respond from 'an easy chair' in the Netherlands; as if you, who, I assume, live in Thailand, have a monopoly on wisdom here... You are not trying to silence the responders who do not permanently live in Thailand, are you? That would be highly inappropriate.
I don't like military personnel, a defense apparatus can only be as small as possible. Large numbers of high-ranking officers do not achieve anything at all and they have no business being on the board of commissioners and such. I do not consider that a healthy state of affairs.
But after reading various media (Thai PBS, Thai Enquirer, Isaan Record, Prachatai, etc) and books by P Chambers, F Ferrara, C Reynolds, D Streckfuss, G Raymond, T Habekorn etc etc the above very concise summary is nothing new under the sun. But I think many Thailand visitors care less about it, as long as the beer and accommodation remain affordable, after all we are “guests”…. well…
Dear Rob
We also don't have long term residence permits, let alone voting rights as part of anything, so yes, as an individual it's best to keep your opinions on the level of 'democracy' to yourself.
So a bit of a lame comment about beer and cheapness.
I see criticism of the whole as a form of government as an action by other governments and large national institutions and parties.
The way ordinary citizens think about 'democracy' can also be criticized in many cases.
Thailand as a trinity would never have existed without the contribution of the military.
In Thailand they do not want to let go of this contribution of the army at a reasonable pace and internationally they will also really think about more things like 'democracy'.
Rob V., defense must do what it is meant for: defend the country and assist citizens in disasters. But in Thailand, but even more so in Myanmar, defense forms a state within a state and seizes power when things don't suit them. Laos, another nice country; Cambodia, well, we know our pappenheimers. And don't count on improvement...
Dear William, I understand that not everyone wants or dares to talk, some people don't even care at all, but I myself like to talk about all kinds of social, political and economic aspects of a country that I feel connected to. Both with other white people and of course Thais, or actually anyone else. After all, no single person has a complete, let alone the "correct" perspective on the state of affairs within a country. It is precisely by talking that we can learn new things. Real change comes through institutions, but they must also be based on what the citizens think. A single citizen does not make the difference, but together? Of course that is up to the Thais, but they can also gain ideas across the border. The current state structure of the country has also been strongly influenced by looking at how things were done elsewhere.
Erik, indeed, defense, defense, Running a gas station or a water cup of generals doesn’t really help. In Thai, defense is called กลาโหม, kà-laa hǒom. That reminds me sometimes of กลา (kà-laa) and the story of the toad…
Talking, fine. But saying that many Thailand visitors are all about beer and cheap? Well, what to think of this. And why do you always call fellow countrymen 'white noses'. Stop that! It's just as annoying as calling us 'farang'. What do you call Thai people? We white noses and they brown faces? Well, this reaction to you will probably not be posted.