Putsch in Thailand: Rückkehr des Militärs in die Politik?

Abstract

The 18th military coup in Thai history ended the era of Thaksin Shinawatra. The reasons for the coup lie in both the lacking professionalization of the Thai military and the increasing confrontation between the prime minister and the military generals. After the putsch initially has been welcomed by the Thai middle class and the Crown, the military now is preparing to stay in power till the next elections. It remains to be seen whether this will be accepted by the vibrant civil society of Bangkok and the masses in Thaksin’s stronghold in the north of the country.