Thailand, today, remains mired in a political crisis. The country is still as divided as ever. Conflict over what Thai democracy should really be like remains. Trouble seems to continue to loom by the time the next election comes around. In these circumstances, it would be probable that many would now be dusting off their […]
Category Archives: The Story of Thai Democracy
The Story of Thai Democracy: From Thaksin to Today
This post is the tenth post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, where I’ll be covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can read the previous posts in this series here. In 2001, a seminar was being held at Thammasat University, discussing the recent election victory […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: Black May
This post is the ninth post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. The era of Generals Kriangsak Chamanan and Prem Tinsulanonda had been peaceful and stable, but what did not […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: Premier Prem
This post is the eighth post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. The period between the twin October tragedies had been chaotic even by the standards of Thai politics. True, […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: Octobers of Tragedy
This post is the seventh post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. The death of Sarit Thanarat left a vacancy in the post of prime minister. Aside from the scandalous […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: Strongman Sarit
This post is the sixth post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. Sarit Thanarat was quite different from his predecessors as prime minister. He grew up in the northeast, Thailand’s […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: The Triumvirate
This post is the fifth post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. On 29 June 1951, prime minister Plaek Phibulsongkram (Phibun) was aboard the US navy ship Manhattan to attend the […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: Phibun vs Pridi
This post is the fourth post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. Plaek Phibulsongkram, known as Phibun to the west and Field Marshal Por to Thais, became prime minister following […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: Early Turmoil
This post is the third post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. After the 1932 revolution, King Rama VII still reigned, but he no longer ruled. Power was now exercised […]
The Story of Thai Democracy: The 1932 Revolution
This post is the second post in the series ‘The Story of Thai Democracy’, covering the political history of Thailand since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. You can see the rest of this project here. On a winter day in Paris, seven men met together in a coffee shop. While they were all […]
