Why Thailand's military stepped in

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.