Why Does Thailand Have So Many Coups? - Polidicks

[URL="http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/05/22/314862858/why-does-thailand-have-so-many-coups"]NPR Link[/URL] [quote=NPR]Deposed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra suffered the same fate as her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in 2006. Both are considered political outsiders who aren't part of the traditional elite who dominate in Bangkok and other southern parts of the country. The brother and sister built support with populist appeals to the poorer and more rural Thais in the north of the country. Their rise was seen as a threat to many powerful, entrenched interests, including the military. But this addresses only the most recent coups. There are websites that debate exactly how many actual and attempted coups Thailand has had. Answer: somewhere between 20 and 30. [B]A Strong Role For The Military[/B] The country might have been subjected to even more if not for the fact that the military has ruled for extended periods. For example, the military took over from a civilian government in 1947 and remained in power until 1973. Thailand's propensity for coups stems largely from the fact that the military has always played a leading role in politics, and democracy has never really taken root. When Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha declared martial law on Tuesday, he cited the Martial Law Act of 1914 that gives the armed forces "superior power" during times of crisis. The military also claimed Tuesday that this was not a coup, a pronouncement greeted with instant skepticism. Sure enough, a coup came two days later. [B]Coups With Distinctive Traits[/B] The very notion of a coup tends to bring to mind a weak, impoverished, dysfunctional state. Many African nations and Latin American countries were plagued by coups in years past. And military takeovers can sometimes involve deep ideological struggles, with a right-wing military forcing out a left-wing leader. [B]The king is a stabilizing force:[/B] No matter how much Thai politicians quarrel among themselves, or with the military, no one criticizes King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His elevated status has allowed him to largely stand above the fray and encourage rival factions to work out their differences. [/quote] I'd suggest you read the rest of the article for the traits specific to Thailand. I wasn't even aware a coup had happened.

Probably because it's been a mess since forever, but aren't we all...

lots of chickens

Because its a corrupt shithole?

It seems like the military just serves like a check on idiots. Kind of like a mix between Turkey and Japan (not so much) decades ago.

[QUOTE=Rangergxi;44881990]It seems like the military just serves like a check on idiots. Kind of like a mix between Turkey and Japan (not so much) decades ago.[/QUOTE] well... in japan's case they were actually one of the main source of idiots, which is one the reasons japan was quite ok with the US providing protection to it after WW2, until china started to get extra annoying recently with the senkaku islands(also north korea threats), you're correct on turkey though.

To keep all the chickens in?

Military coups are kind of a normal thing throughout human history. The better question might be: "Why don't modern first world nations ever have military coups?" Even massively power nations in the past like the Ottoman Empire (they had the janissaries) and Russia (had the Streltsy) had problems with semi-independent military groups taking power away from the centralized government.

[QUOTE=sgman91;44884574]Military coups are kind of a normal thing throughout human history. The better question might be: "Why don't modern first world nations ever have military coups?" Even massively power nations in the past like the Ottoman Empire (they had the janissaries) and Russia (had the Streltsy) had problems with semi-independent military groups taking power away from the centralized government.[/QUOTE] Both the Streltsy and the Janissaries were military groups you entered for life weren't they? Meaning they were more a lifestyle than a job. Maybe it's something to do with that outlook, and it's just inevitable in cases where the military don't really perceive themselves as being subjects of their own nation, not protectors but warriors. From what I recall the Janissaries were virtually their own caste of society, even after you retired you were a Janissary for life. Until they got 'sploded of course.

[QUOTE=sgman91;44884574]Military coups are kind of a normal thing throughout human history. The better question might be: "Why don't modern first world nations ever have military coups?"[/QUOTE] maybe cause they were too busy fucking with other nations through most of their history(or still are to some extent). being more serious through(through what i said its still true), the more authoritarian leanings a nation has, the more likely it is to have a military coup, using my own country as an example, quite a fair bit of brazilians are awfully authoritarian and don't even know it(thankfully its improving), our dictatorship was the least bloody one in the south america, PRECISELY because of that, brazilians were mostly pretty ok with it(some sting long for it, due to "safety"). europeans as a whole have their social democracy, which is pretty anti-authoritarian, both economically as well as socially, americans despite having quite a bit authoritarian leanings in many ways, have the whole "muh freedom" thing, and a strong distrust against the government, and japan is actually becoming more authoritarian by the day, who knows if they'll revert to their old ways when they're forced to take in immigrants due to population drop.

[QUOTE=sgman91;44884574] Even massively power nations in the past like the Ottoman Empire (they had the janissaries) and Russia (had the Streltsy) had problems with semi-independent military groups taking power away from the centralized government.[/QUOTE] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot[/url] (Dunno) I think a belief in the civilian government has been solidified for a long time now, with soldiers believing that they live in free countries that represent the people and having nothing to gain from a rebellion since they're not really loyal to their commanding officers. When General McArthur, Supreme Commander of the Pacific forces wanted to nuke China during the Korean war he was president booted from his position by the president. I think countries like Japan that saw this were really hit hard. Civilian government>Military is something thats hard to think about.

Whats wrong with coupes? [t]http://www.details.com/images/style-advice/tech-and-design/201205/cars/classic_car_black_harticle.jpg[/t]

[QUOTE=Vipes;44922055]Whats wrong with coupes? [t]http://www.details.com/images/style-advice/tech-and-design/201205/cars/classic_car_black_harticle.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] 1. "Coup" and "Coupe" are both spelt and pronounced differently, so your joke is forced at best. 2. That's not a coupe, that's a roadster. A Coupe is a two-door car with a fixed roof. A Roadster is a two-seater open-top car.

[QUOTE=TacticalBacon;44922125]1. "Coup" and "Coupe" are both spelt and pronounced differently, so your joke is forced at best. 2. That's not a coupe, that's a roadster. A Coupe is a two-door car with a fixed roof. A Roadster is a two-seater open-top car.[/QUOTE] Tell Google, not me.

[QUOTE=Vipes;44922572]Tell Google, not me.[/QUOTE] did a google image search for coupe didn't find that picture

[QUOTE=Hidole555;44922719]did a google image search for coupe didn't find that picture[/QUOTE] Vipes you've got some serious questions to answer m8

[QUOTE=Hidole555;44922719]did a google image search for coupe didn't find that picture[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=smurfy;44922814]Vipes you've got some serious questions to answer m8[/QUOTE] [url]https://www.google.com/search?q=coupe+cars&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=RqeEU6KhE7bMsQSGvoHIAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1536&bih=755#q=classic%20coupe%20cars&revid=652760953&tbm=isch&imgdii=_[/url] [t]http://i.imgur.com/fwQwKJw.png[/t]

I spoke with a thai on this today, he told me that the coups where basically to stabilize the political system and make way for the coming elections. The coup is also limited to the capital Bangkok, the rest of Thailand is really not that affected it seems.

So is the PM and her brother good?

i like Prayuth Chan-Ocha [highlight](User was banned for this post ("dumb bumps" - Orkel))[/highlight]