Problems in the Consolidation of Democracy in Thailand:The Study of Trust in Political Institutions

Abstract

     This article is aimed at analyzing the problems in the consolidation of democracy in Thailand by focusing on trust in political institutions. Many scholars identify that both established democracies and transitional democracies are confronted with declining trust in political institutions, but the formers can preserve their regime while the latters are reversed to authoritarian regime. In case of Thailand, when the corruptions expose to the public but the government cannot account for the scandals, the governability of democratic government and the confidence in political institutions will decline. Then the people will consent the Coup as an alternative in solving the problems because they lack of democratic commitment. However, the authoritarian government will be attacked by many issues such as legitimacy, human rights, rule of law, and pressures from foreign countries and international organizations that lead to calling for democracy. Furthermore, when the country is back to democracy, corruptions will occur and the confidence of democratic institutions will be loss again like a vicious circle.