Civil-military relations in Thailand military autonomy or civilian control?

Abstract

This thesis addresses the level of civilian control over a once politically dominant Thai military. The thesis starts by presenting a history of the evolving political role of the Thai military from the overthrow of the absolute monarchy in 1932 to the events of Black May in 1992. After discussing the events from 1992 until the present, the thesis focuses on the three main enablers for greater civilian control of the military; economic development, political parties, and the Monarchy. Next the chapter analyzes three different periods in Thailand's political development to determine trends in the level of military autonomy and civilian control. In this case the thesis found a trend of greater civilian control in both the political and institutional realms dating from the Prime Minister Thanom period (1963-1973) to Prime Minister Thaksin's administration (2001-2005). Finally, the thesis recommends policy proposals for the United States to implement to assist Thailand in consolidating gains made in democratic civilian control of the military.