Thailand in pictures (12): Soldiers and coups
A picture paints a thousand words. This certainly applies to Thailand, a special country with an interesting culture and many cheerful people, but also a dark dark side of coups, poverty, exploitation, animal suffering, violence and many road deaths. In each episode we choose a theme that gives an insight into Thai society. Today a photo series about coups and military.
Sutin Klungsang, vice chairman of the Pheu Thai Party and potential future defense minister, said today that he believes military coups in Thailand are a thing of the past. Klungsang, a veteran politician and former teacher, also expressed confidence in his ability to effectively lead the defense ministry, thanks in part to the support of advisers with a military background.
The influence of the military on Thai society
Thailand's parliamentary elections will be held on May 14. The reign of General Prayut, who came to power in a coup d'état in 2014, may then come to an end. On social media, it can be read that the Thai people will not tolerate another coup against a democratically elected government. Nevertheless, the chance of a new coup by the military is considerable. In this article we therefore look at the influence of the army and the military on Thai society.
Generals who called the shots: Sarit Thanarat
Today, please pay attention to Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, who took power in Thailand on September 17, 1957 with the support of the army. Although it was not immediately apparent, this was much more than just another coup in a row in a country where the officers had played a key role in the political and economic life of the nation for decades. The overthrow of the regime of former Field Marshal Phibun Songkhram marked a turning point in Thai political history whose echoes reverberate to this day.
Generals who called the shots: Phin Choonhavan
Today I take a moment to reflect on one of the most enigmatic figures in Thai politics, Marshal Phin Choonhavan. The man holds the record of Thailand's shortest-serving prime minister: he held this position from November 8 to 10, 1947, but his and his family's influence was hardly equal in the Land of Smiles.
Generals in charge – Plaek Phibun Songkhram
The general who left his mark most strongly on Thailand in the past century was without a doubt Marshal Plaek Phibun Songkhram.
Election related agencies need to be reviewed
In 1997 Thailand got a new Constitution that is still seen as the best ever. A number of organizations were set up to supervise the proper functioning of the democratic process. In an op-ed in the Bangkok Post, Thitinan Pongsudhirak describes how the coups d'état of 2006 and 2014 with new Constitutions also placed other individuals in these organizations, individuals loyal only to the powers that be the ruling authorities, thus damaging democracy .
Generals who called the shots: Thanom Kittikachorn
If there has been one constant in the more than turbulent Thai politics over the last hundred years or so, it is the military. Since the military-backed coup d'état of 24 June 1932 that ended absolute monarchy, the military has seized power in the Land of Smiles no fewer than twelve times
Thaksin's sister leader in Thai election polls
A week before the Thai parliamentary elections, the opinion polls show a clear winner: Pheu Thai. This at the expense of the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit. The Pheu Thai party is led by Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The question is how the army will react to a possible election victory for Pheu Thai. The Thai military is responsible for 18 coups, most recently in 2006. In the latest coup, Thaksin was deposed…