 |
| Thai military personnel stand guard at the Government House in Bangkok. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) |
"Amazing Thailand" the phrase coined by the "Tourist Authority of Thailand" (TAT) has come to have a much deeper meaning than a slogan touting the beauty and culture of the country. As Thailand now is struggling under the yoke of military rule after experiencing it's twelve military coup d'etat since 1932, plus the seven attempted ones that were not successful. So while many emerging nations have outgrown coup d'etat, in Thailand it remains a deeply embedded part of Thai politics.
In recent times the bloodless coup d'etat in 2006 removing the extremely popular PM Thaksin Shinawatra while he was out of the country has had Thai leadership struggling to find it's way. Thaksin was swept into the office of PM in 2001 with the overwhelming support of rural farmers. His popularity in rural areas in Thailand was in part due to his proposed micro loan program targeting rice farmers and offering affordable healthcare for those in need. He also drew support from many in big business because as he was one of them, they liked his no nonsense CEO style of governance. While the moneyed Bangkok elite and the military were not impressed and wanted a PM that was more sympathetic to their needs. It seems to me that the Bangkok moneyed elite decided that one way or another Thaksin had to go. Political wrangling was tried, his Thai Rack Thai (TRT) party was disbanded and outlawed, then it was charges of corruption in his telecommunications deal but he still didn't go away and so the military stepped in and removed him based on accusations of corruption and misuse of power. So Since the coup in 2006 Mr. Shinawatra has been in a self imposed exile while still maintaining much of his influence in Thai politics.
In the 2011 election Thaksin Shinawatra's sister Yingluck Shinawatra, a 46 year old businessperson with no direct political experience but with two degrees in politics, lead her newly founded Pheu Thai party to victory and became the new Prime Minister. Yingluck became the first Thai women to gain the office of Prime Minister. Taking over the reins of Thailand and for a while bringing stability back to the country. In 2013 she and her party were successful in getting re elected. Though once again, like what happened to her brother, the accusations started - she was a just a puppet of her brother, then more serious charges about her abuse of power which ultimately resorted in her being forced her office the 20th of last month. Leading up to the May the 22nd coup by the military who took over leadership of the country, voiding the constitution and instituting military law.
The junta ruling Thailand is headed up by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who was due to retire in September of this year but guess runing Thailand is a better gig so he will probably be around for a while.
Meanwhile, what your probably most interesting in is the effect all this has on you if you if you are planning a visit to Thailand.
The country is on lock down - well sorta - a curfew was set at 10:00 pm - 5:00 am but this has been eased to 12:00 - 4:00. Then recently Ko Sumi, Pattaya and Phuket had the curfew lifted. Next week it will be lifted in Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Hat Yai, Cha-am,Hua Hin and Trang according to the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand). No reports of anyone arriving in country after the curfew and having a problem getting to their hotel.
Falang (foreigners) are not the target so tourists will be treated kindly but for Thais this is a hard time..
Thanks for for being here, Doug
