Thai Coup Casts Shadow Over Democracy in Southeast Asia, says VOA
September 29, 2006, Voice of America

The recent military overthrow of Thaksin Shinatwatra’s democratically elected government in Thailand has cast uncertainty over the health of democracies throughout Southeast Asia according to Voice of America (VOA).  U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has declared the coup a “U Turn” for the region.  Military coups had been considered a threat of the past in a region of the world where military intervention in the political system had been prominent.  As other Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, and Indonesia adopted democratic forms of government, the prospect of military interference in Thailand’s democracy became more unacceptable to the Thai people.

A military takeover in Thailand provides a reminder of the failed coup attempt in Philippines less than a year ago according to the article.  Many analysts claim weak democratic institutions are to blame for the backsliding of some Southeast Asian countries.  Power in the governments resides in the hands of “very few political families.”  The result is “stifled reform” and a political situation where votes are determined by “guns, goons, and gold” according to Patricio Abinales from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University.

Many leaders of democratic governments in the region are faced with accusations of abuse of power and undermining the ideals of democratic governance.  Prior to his removal from power, Prime Minister Thaskin Shinatwatra was under scrutiny for corruption and adopting authoritarian powers.  The same issues are evident in the leadership of Gloria Arroyo in the Philippines and Chen Shui-bian in Tawain, according to VOA.

VOA goes on to say the success of the Thai coup on the wave of a failed coup attempt in the Philippines sets a dangerous precedent for other Southeast Asian democracies.  Attempts at reform through legal channels have largely been rebuffed by these governments through undemocratic action.  The coup in Thailand provides a “model” of success for militaries in other countries looking to overthrow corrupt leaders through non-democratic means.  There is fear among experts that “the region could see more instability in the next few years.”  Analysts believe that governments in Southeast Asia need to do a more efficient job of preventing corruption and dealing with poverty if democracy is to be legitimized by the citizenry.