Analysis and Consideration of the Sources of Political Instability in Thailand’s Democratic Process

Abstract

This research aims to 1) analyze and identify the root sources of the political instability in Thailand’s democratic process, 2) study factors affecting Thailand’s democratic process and 3) suggest new ideas as a guideline leading to Thailand’s true democracy. This research adopted the tools for documented research and the history of Thai politics.

The results proved that the key factor affecting Thailand’s democracy building strongly included frequent military intervention in politics, weakness of multi-party system, low development of civil society and no rule of law in democratic process. These phenomena related closely and directly to the political structure, the political party system and the political culture including the civil society. These have significant impact on the instability in Thailand’s democratic process.

The author comes up with the following suggestions. Thailand should strengthen its economy first. After the economic base flourishes and stabilizes, the supporting infrastructure should be improved and adjusted as appropriate to fit into the new economic base. The military role should be repositioned. The military should be controlled by a democratically elected government and become professional soldier. These are one of the main indicators of democratic country. Therefore, the military must not interfere in politics and be under a civilian government.