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the anti-Thaksin coalition, this time led by the Democrat Party's Suthep Thaugsuban un-
der the aegis of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
Yingluck tried to backtrack on the amnesty bill, but the PDRC gained traction, with
protesters taking over sections of Bangkok. Yingluck was forced to call an election for 2
February, but the polls were ultimately nullified by Thailand's Constitutional Court. As
Yingluck was denied a new electoral mandate, charges against her, including alleged cor-
ruption in her involvement with a failed rice scheme ( Click here ) , and a failed constitu-
tional amendment to make the senate fully elected, were seen as efforts of both the judi-
ciary and watchdog agencies, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission, to bring
down her administration. These efforts were ultimately successful when in May 2014,
Thailand's Constitutional Court found Yingluck and nine members of her cabinet guilty of
abuse of power. Yet only weeks after Yingluck was forced to step down, the Thai military
seized power. At press time, a plan for a return to civilian rule had yet to be announced,
and the coup d'etat is likely to elicit a backlash from pro-Thaksin red shirts, leading to in-
creased political instability and tension in the long term.
Royal Twilight
Those who have followed Thai politics in recent years have witnessed a gruelling trans-
formation from kingdom to democracy where loyal subjects are increasingly becoming in-
formed citizens. The standoff between those in favour of electoral democracy, with its re-
liance on elected politicians, and those who favour the moral authority of a monarchy, will
underpin Thai politics indefinitely. Electoral democracy can be accompanied by corrup-
tion, whereas moral authority from unelected sources is undemocratic.
This confrontation takes place during the twilight of the remarkable 67-year reign of a
respected monarch, 86-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who has presided
over Thailand's transformation from a village backwater to a modernised nation. His
passing will spell the end of Thailand as we know it, raising the spectre of a volatile suc-
cession. The next monarch is unlikely to command as much moral authority, and the insti-
tution will need to be recalibrated to fit democratic times. The transformation of economy
and society has given rise to new expectations of accountability and a greater share of the
pie for the downtrodden masses. Thailand's dilemma is to ensure that democratic institu-
tions are the ultimate winner in the ongoing struggle.
Thai Resilience
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