The consensus is that Thailand's new military-drafted constitution will likely pass a highly anticipated national referendum on August 19. New political parties are fast forming to contest the democratic polls scheduled for the end of this year. And the military seems sincere in its stated intention to hand power over to a new elected government.
In the transition, however, it's apparent that Thailand's democracy will be compromised in significant ways and will open the way to future military interventions in politics. With the expected passage next month of the new charter, Thailand will be set to enter a new period of military-democracy, where elected politicians are checked and potentially toppled by military proxies in the half-appointed Senate.
How the balance between military and elected politicians is calibrated in a new coalition government will be crucial for future political stability and economic policymaking. Throughout the 1990s, ruling coalitions frequently dissolved because of factional infighting, where on average joint governments failed to serve even two of their four-year terms.
With the recent court-ordered dissolution of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's dominant Thai Rak Thai party (TRT) , and in light of measures including the new proposed charter aimed at simultaneously weakening and multiplying the number of political parties, Thailand is also likely headed toward a new political era of wobbly coalition governments - only this time with heavy military oversight.
Full Story: Asia Times Online
Toward a less democratic Thailand
Toward a less democratic Thailand
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