Why Is Thailand Allergic to Democracy?
from Asia Unbound

Why Is Thailand Allergic to Democracy?

Anti-government protesters sweep the street around the Democracy Monument after weeks of protesting and days of clashes with police in Bangkok's city centre on December 4, 2013. (Dylan Martinez/Courtesy Reuters)
Anti-government protesters sweep the street around the Democracy Monument after weeks of protesting and days of clashes with police in Bangkok's city centre on December 4, 2013. (Dylan Martinez/Courtesy Reuters)
Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick
December 4, 2013 5:05 pm (EST)

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Thailand

Heads of State and Government

Over the past week, Thailand’s political unrest has descended into serious, chaotic violence. On Monday and Tuesday, protesters entered the grounds of both police headquarters and Government House, having already occupied other ministries. Despite a short truce to observe the king’s 86th birthday on December 5, the conflict is likely to start up again, since protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has vowed to keep on, and the deep divides in Thai society remain.

In a new article for BloombergBusinessweek, I analyze why Thailand’s democracy has been so fragile, and why the country is so addicted to extraconstitutional interventions. You can read the whole piece here.

More on:

Thailand

Heads of State and Government