The army has always been a great force in Thai politics. The country's finest rulers, such as Taksin and Rama, were military men who took their troops into battle.
But since the 1932 revolution, when the king was deprived of his absolute power, his military role was disproportionate. For western eyes, the idea of military rule is quite astonishing. One cannot ignore the fact that the Thai army sometimes made particularly high-quality recordings of student protests. But this kind of behavior is the exception rather than the rule, and in most cases the military behavior was reliably benevolent.
Some of the Thai military leaders worked very hard for the benefit of the country, recovering from chaos when military intervention was needed. In addition, they promoted economic development and helped to underpin the country's current prosperity.
Maybe the leaders of the 1932 revolution were naive in assuming that a country that only had a known absolute rule could change overnight, from absolute monarchy to democracy. In 1932, the country was not politically developed, it was just a small, articulated middle class with no real power base. In fact, by removing the king's power, there was only one working institution that could fill the emptiness: the army. And that happened.
Luang Phibul Songkhram (1938-1957) is one of the most prominent Thai political actors of the twentieth century, despite many mistakes. Humbly, he worked in the army's ranks, historically moved to politics. Under its influence, Thailand became a nationalist, militarist, and xenophobic. He rejected China's industry domination and supported public enterprises – "the Thai economy for the Thai people." It is also a must for Thais who are in Bangkok to wear western clothes, feeling more civilized. He joined the Japanese and returned to the former Thai territories of the French. After the war, he was forced to resign, but later returned as prime minister and received US support for his tough communist position. The coup was historically deposited.
General Sarit Thanarat (1957-63) is generally seen as a strong man who has reduced crime and police corruption. He launched rural development programs, especially in the northeast and expanded his education system. The young king also encouraged Bhumibol to play a greater role in nation affairs. An infamous woman, boasting a few hundred wives, and after her death was more corrupt than the projected image.
Thanom Kittikachorn (1963-73) Baroness Sarit Defense Minister, and when he took over Sarit's death, he joined the US in the Vietnam War, allowing Americans to have airbases for bombing over Vietnam and Laos . In 1968 he restored parliamentary democracy, but in 1971 he re-established military rule. Under his treasury, American money boosted the economy and was accompanied by massive corruption. The loss of evidence against his government and the support of the army forced his resignation and exile in 1973. In 1976 he returned to the monastery, but this resulted in further demonstrations leading to more bleeding and redefining the law of war.
General Prem Tinsulanonda (1980-88) is considered to be one of the best Thai prime ministers and benevolent but strong in his influence in Thailand.
General Suchinda Kraprayoon (l991-93) organized a bloodless coup on the pretext that the civilian government was terribly corrupt and promoted the cleansing of Thai politics. But when he was always named prime minister, there was an outrage. His time of influence ended after the 1993 demonstrations and the King's intervention, in which he publicly condemned the general and opposition leader on a public television show.
Today's Armed Forces in Thailand
In the old power order, the king was on top of the pyramid and supported three institutions: public service, commerce and the kingdom. the army. No one else thinks much, so the members of these three institutions are considered the king.
Since the abolition of absolute monarchy and the emergence of representative democracy, attitudes have gradually changed. Nowadays, these three institutions had to learn to serve the people rather than the king, and change was not always easy.
We would think that Thailand raised the need for strong men to direct their affairs to end the days of military dictatorships and for the nation to become democratically. Thailand now has a sophisticated and growing intelligence and has the organizational skills that once held the army and the public service.
Although their role is likely to have diminished, armies are often found in key positions in government and commerce – for example, in companies. Army officers no longer hold political appointments, so the military-government relationship is broken, but many former military officers are in civilian clothing in the cabinet.
It was long since the bloodless coup in 1932, but ultimately, after many trials and flaws, Thailand seems to be a true constitutional monarchy with solid democratic institutions.
The Navy, although one of the largest in Asia, plays a less political role. The leading naval officers were sentenced fatally in 1951, which was bad. He was kidnapped by the prime minister, Phibul Songkhram, while at the Manhattan excavator. However, the army and the air force remained loyal to Phibul, and when they were taken under the naval flag, the Sri Ayuthaya, the Air Force, bombed and suppressed it. The prime minister jumped into the river and swam for the security of the bank.
Source by Shiroona Lomponi