Thailand is a country that has a complicated political and geopolitical situation that is constantly changing. Tensions from within are caused by a growing divide between the urban rich and the agrarian rural poor, while a separatist movement continues to ferment in the south among the Islamic population. Thailand also sees tensions arising from its neighbors with concern to border disputes, the narcotics trade, and its attitude towards prostitution. Yet, most of these tensions have been exacerbated by what may have been the most important event in the last decade of Thai history: the 2006 military coup de tat that removed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Who is Thaksin Shinawatra and what is the background of the 2006 Coup? Shinawatra began his political career in the 1990’s. In 1997, a new constitution was enacted in Thailand after a military coup and takeover similar to the 2006 coup against Shinawatra occurred in 1991. The ’97 constitution was designed to allow for more democracy and less corruption in the government, however, the rural areas that were benefited under the old constitution felt that their influence was being taken away [Pongsudhirak]. Shinawatra seized upon this and formed his populist “Thai Rak Thai” and won elections in 2001. However, Shinawatra’s first term was beset by controversy. Those in the upper class and upper middle class saw him as a proponent of wealth redistribution. Small scale military skirmishes with Burma and Cambodia heightened tensions in the region, and in 2003 the Shinawatra government began a crackdown on drugs that led to the deaths of over 2000 suspects. In 2004, Shinawatra declared martial law in the predominately Islamic southern region, leading to almost 200 total deaths in clashes between Islamic militants, protestors, and the military. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami contributed to the strife in Southern Thailand [Thailand Profile: Timeline]. With all of this playing out, Thaksin Shinawatra’s “Thai Rak Thai” party won reelection in 2005, and Shinawatra was granted emergency powers to censor and suppress any dissent in the southern provinces [Divjak].
The Coup was a bloodless affair that occurred while Shinawatra was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on the night of Wednesday, September 20 2006 [Mydan]. Shinawatra lived in the United Kingdom after the coup until his party won the post-coup elections. However, he faced corruption charges and has since lived abroad as a fugitive [“Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra”].
Why is this event the most important? The first reason that this event was so important was that it negatively reversed the path to democracy that Thailand had embarked upon in 1997. Since the modernization of Thailand in the 20th century, the country has experienced numerous and frequent coups that led to military rule for years at a time. The 1997 Constitution had seen an end to the constant cycle of coups and military government. That is why the 2006 Coup set a dangerous new precedent, where the military made it clear that despite the decade of democracy, the military would still intervene when it felt it needed to.
The coup also set off a struggle between two political factions that is tinged by class warfare. The populist, leftist element of the Thai populace has been enraged by the ouster of Shinawatra, who was a hero to them. The “Red Shirt” protestors emerged in support of Thaksin Shinawatra and after a series of protest, many of which ended in violence Shinawatra’s sister Yingluck was elected. Now counter protestors who oppose the Shinawatra family’s populism have taken to the streets led by a retired general [Thailand Profile: Timeline], and the future of Thai democracy is at stake.
Likewise, Shinawatra’s departure even had some geo-political ramifications, with increased tensions between Thailand and Cambodia due to the Cambodian government hiring Shinawatra briefly as a consultant [Gabbatt]. Likewise, he has given rally from Cambodia in recent times. In addition, the 2006 coup led to a disruption of economic ties with the United States, with a free trade agreement being negotiated between President Bush and Shinawatra falling into limbo due to the coup [Crispin].
In summary, the 2006 coup has led to the situation in Thailand today. Class warfare, constant battles between protestors, counter-protestors, and the military, the political martyring of Thaksin Shinawatra, the rise of the Shinawatra family as a political force in the region, the constant threat of military intervention in Thai politics, and a uncertain geo-political future. The entire scenario derives from the repercussions of the 2006 coup, and will not be solved for the foreseeable future.
Works Cited
Crispin, Shawn W. “When Allies Drift Apart Hotels.” Asia Times Online. N.p., 14 Feb. 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2012.
Divjak, Carol. “Thai Prime Minister Invokes Emergency Powers in Countryâs South.” World Socialist Web Site. N.p., 3 Aug. 2005. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. .
Gabbatt, Adam. “Shinawatra Stokes Tensions by Taking Job with Cambodian Government.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 05 Nov. 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2012.
Mydan, Seth, and Thomas Fuller. “With Premier at U.N., Thai Military Stages Coup.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 Sept. 2006. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. .
Pongsudhirak, Thitinan. “Thailand Since the Coup.” Journal of Democracy 19.4 (2008): 140-53. Journal of Democracy.org. Oct. 2008. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. .
“Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra.” BBC News. BBC, 24 June 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. .
“Thailand Profile: Timeline.” BBC News. BBC, 25 Nov. 2012. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. .