Political Crisis in Thailand

The Pentagon has canceled ongoing military exercises with Thailand as a result of the military coup in the Southeast Asian country.

India has recalled its troops sent to Thailand for a joint combat exercise after a military coup there.

Thailand’s political crisis is taking a toll on the country’s tourism sector, with the number of visitors down almost by almost 400,000 in the first four months of the year and the decline expected to accelerate since the prime minister was deposed and the army imposed martial law.

edited 24th May '14 12:29:19 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Is there any third option movement?

Thailand coup gets King Bhumibol Adulyadej's approval as junta dissolves senate.

Suuure, of course you guys didn't do it, what with descending from the Heavens to enforce peace and all. Reportedly, the gateway was fine and their excuse make no sense.

edited 28th May '14 7:13:45 AM by Pblades

Did the King have a reasonable option to not back the coup, out of curiosity? I.e. would having gone Juan Carlos on them have changed anything, or just gotten him committed to a hospital due to sudden surprise health problems?

While he is very highly venerated by everyone in Thailand, yeah, I would not rule out the possibility of sudden health deterioration if he did not approve of it.

Access to Facebook was blocked for many users in Thailand Wednesday, a day after the new military government launched an Internet crackdown — but authorities later blamed the problem on a technical hitch.

The leaders of the junta have ruled out holding elections for at least a year; citing a need to reconcile and restore stability.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27642971

This does not bode well for Thai democracy, to say the least.

Not that Thai democracy was doing that great before the coup....

Well, the coup is a continuation of the existing problems with Thai democracy. Namely, that the people with the guns don't want it.

Illusions can alter the expressions of faces. Simply keeping democracy ticking over and tallying those civilian, orderly handovers of power would have been a good thing for Thailand; not much chance of that now.

I mean, it's just going to be the same damn thing. They'll try to edit the constitution or something, have elections in 2-4 years after trying to game the system, and still get their asses handed to them, unless they go through with that "elite people's votes count for more" scheme, which would see human-rights based sanctions from around the world.

It sounds like what Thailand really needs is some sort of large-scale reconciliation process, like they used in South Africa. Some sort of structured testimonial forum, where people can air their grievances and acquire some understanding of the other side. It might take some years, but eventually the climate changes and people actually start talking to each other, rather than verbally or physically attacking each other. It can work, it's been done in other places.

That's an idea.

edited 30th May '14 7:51:08 PM by FFShinra

It can work, but it needs to happen first. The South African model, for instance, was underwritten by National Party relief: "better this than race war" etc. The elites in Thailand feel they hold all the power, or that they should. Unless it becomes apparent to them that they don't, then they have no need for reconciliation. And so the long cycle will continue. It's something that should be done when the time is right, but I don't see a political future for Thailand that doesn't involve agitation and action first, truth and reconciliation after.

I don't see why it's all on the elites. It ain't like the opposition is being particularly flexible either, and it takes two to tango.

Anyway, we gotta wait til the typical methods are exhausted first. Then maybe something happens.

@Shinra: Actually, the elites are the opposition, which is what's making this whole thing such a fiasco.

Remember, the north of Thailand has threatened to secede over this, though obviously they lack the firepower or allies to do so (the days when they might be able to call on Japanese aid or something are long gone).

I feel you're being centrist as between the fire engine and the fire.

My own perception is that it isnt just the elites vs everyone else, or they would have lost long ago. They have the support of a faction of ordinary people, and for that matter the late governing party had it's share of rich politicians affiliated with it. The leaders on both sides would resist a reconciliation process, because the status quo supports their power and influence. It's the ordinary people on both sides who are more likely to be sick of all the conflict now and might be open to some sort of dialogue.

This my view as well.

Sorry, I was unclear before. I meant opposition to the elites, not the official opposition.

The opposition is using the "salute" from the Hunger Games franchise as an unofficial symbol of resistance against the coup. They said it's a nod to the French revolution.

RTA announced that anyone seen in protests, especially those doing the salute will be arrested with severe consequences for them and their families.

The police has been scoring some arrests, most of them being undercover as media personnel.

PS - My dad doesn't get why the opposition is using the salute. He just didn't watch the first movie after seeing it for 10 minutes.

Please stay tuned for debut of the People's Democratic Liberty Orderly Happy Kingdom of Thailand!

See? These and these◊ are ample compensations for the lost of democracy!

...It's like they aren't even trying.

Has the location of the Crown Prince been reported?

If it hasn't, he's Taken refuge in 5-star hotel in Britain.

edited 5th Jun '14 1:31:58 PM by Greenmantle

Thailand's new military government moved against two of its top targets on Thursday, capturing a top organizer of protests against its recent takeover and launching a probe into the finances of the former elected prime minister.

Sweet. I've always wanted to have a bounty on my head, even if it's just 15$.