Abstract

In late 2004, as Thailand gets ready for its next elections, Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai party looks poised for victory. Thaksin has survived a complete parliamentary term. Thaksin’s government has claimed several economic achievements since it took office in 2001. But many opposition politicians believe that these achievements are transitory and economic policy decisions have been taken more in the interests of his family firm and other big businesses than of the nation as a whole. The press also questions Thaksin’s commitment to democracy. He is complaining about having to answer to unelected judges and once even argued that restraints on his authority are unnecessary, as his wife is enough to keep him in line! In appointing his cousin supreme commander of the armed forces, and his brother-in-law assistant chief of the national police, Thaksin seems to have chosen to ignore public opinion. During Thaksin’s tenure, Thailand’s various watchdog agencies have lost much of their vigor and independence. The Senate has selected two former members of his staff to serve on the Constitutional Court. Other friends and associates have joined the National Counter Corruption Commission. The local media, too, has lost much of its vibrancy over the past four years. Will Thailand be able to leave behind its past and emerge as a vibrant, prosperous democracy?

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

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Keywords

Kingdom of Thailand, About Thailand, Thailand's History, Thailand's Economy, Thaksinomics, Thanksin, Industry in Thailand, Thailand's foreign trade, Corruption in Thailand and Social Policies