Why Thailand's military stepped in
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Authors
O'Connor, Andrew C.
Subjects
Advisors
Leavitt, Sandra R.
Date of Issue
2011-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis is a comparison of the military coups d'eÌ tat that occurred in Thailand in 1991 and 2006. The thesis explores how Thailand's military acts as a political army and determines the combination of factors necessary for the military to step into the political system. A historic narrative from the kingdom's ancient beginnings, through the 1932 coup d'eÌ tat that overthrew the absolute monarchy, to the 1980s established the founding principles of the military and its historical role in politics, both of which contribute to the values and identity of Thailand's military as an institution. The comparison of the precoup periods to the events that lead directly to the coup reveal a common set of factors necessary for the military to stage a successful coup. Specifically, these factors include political stalemate, affronts to values, and direct threats to interests. Additionally, the two cases demonstrate how Thailand's military is compelled to act as a political army due to the birthright principle, civilian incompetence, and military competence. The thesis concludes with some recommendations for the United States in its relationship with Thailand with the better understanding of why these coups occur.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xii, 87 p. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.