Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

Elected VS Elite: Thailand’s Final Battle for Democracy

For decades, the academic world had scrutinized Thailand’s networks of an unelected political force that tried to manipulate elected governments and shaped the future of the country. Some called it the “deep state,” or “network monarchy.” The struggle between the elected and the unelected powers has always been there yet camouflaged. However, the passing of King Rama IX has brought the institution to a legitimacy crisis. King Rama X extends his power to the political sphere that totally abuses the political parameters set by a democratic constitution. Thai younger generations, on the other, are not surrendering to this undemocratic monarch. Hence, we now stand on the final battle between the elite network and the people who want to shape their own future. Only genuine compromises can bring Thailand across this dangerous turn of history without bloodshed.

Parit Wacharasindhu

The Democracy 'Tug of War' in Thailand

The current state of Thailand's democracy resembles a high-tension tug of war game. On the one hand, we have a backwards political system that obstructs the development of democracy in Thailand, encapsulated by an undemocratic Constitution that seeks to extend dictatorial rule via a military-appointed Senate, and a broken system of checks and balances. But on the other hand, we have a progressive political society that is increasingly active and resilient in calling for democratic norms and policies that respect values of liberty and equality, driven in large part by a wave of new-generation citizens across the country. The only peaceful way out of this conflict is for the system to give way and not stand against the tide of time.

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