Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1976
Violent suppression of student movement by the military. King Bhumibol steps in to prevent further
bloodshed and forces Thanom and Praphat to leave the country.
1979
After three years of military rule, elections and parliament restored. Thai authorities give safe haven
to Khmer Rouge fleeing the North Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.
1980
Prem Tinsulanonda's government works to undermine the communist insurgency movement with
military action and amnesty programs and eventually ends it with a political solution.
1988
Chatichai Choonhavan becomes first elected PM since 1976 and creates a government dominated by
well-connected provincial business people.
1991-92
General Suchinda attempts to seize power due to the extreme corruption of Chatichai's government;
King Bhumibol intervenes to halt civil turmoil surrounding 'Black May' protests.
1997
Asian economic crisis; passage of historic 'people's constitution'. International Monetary Fund
steps in to reform and stabilise the Thai currency.
2001
Self-styled CEO-politician Thaksin Shinawatra is elected prime minister. Campaign promises of rur-
al development, agrarian debt and cheaper healthcare are quickly delivered.
2003
Government stages a huge, controversial crackdown on drugs during which some 2000 people are
killed. Human rights groups blame the government; the government blames gangs.
2004
Indian Ocean tsunami kills 5000 people and damages tourism and fishing industries; Muslim insur-
gency reignites in the Deep South after brewing steadily since 2001.
