Ten years ago Thailand stood as a democratic jewel in Southeast Asia, sandwiched between the military junta in Burma and the Communist state of Laos.
Thailand was more than a mere tourist’s hotspot; it enjoyed the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, and became romanticised through backpacker’s literature.
But ten years on, Thailand, last week, teetered on the brink of civil war; a country divided by a military coup d’état and radicalised into opposing factions.
The violence between the so-called ‘red shirts’ (the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship), supported by Thaksin Shinawatra, and the Thai national government, led by Abhisit Vejjajiva, stems back to 2006.
Shinawatra is a hero to many Thai citizens. Back in 2001, he led his political party (Thai Rak Thai) to a massive election victory, described as the most open, corruption-free election in Thailand’s history. Shinawatra championed radical policies for reducing rural poverty and introducing universal healthcare in Thailand. He was not an uncontroversial figure (allegedly involving himself in policy corruption), but he did appear to be taking Thailand in a new direction.
After completing his first full term in office (the first full term in Thailand’s history), Shinawatra faced an onslaught of corruption charges, as well as allegations over the sale of his family-owned business, Shin Corporation. This culminated in a military coup d’état in 2006 which saw Shinawatra removed from power and his political party was disbanded. A military junta ruled Thailand for the next year until the government called democratic elections.
Now Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party govern Thailand, but many of Shinawatra’s old supporters do not recognise this new government and believe that Vejjajiva used the military junta to obtain an advantage in the elections. Because of this, they formed the ‘red shirt’ group in protest at his government and to demand that Shinawatra be reinstated as prime minister.
The ‘red shirts’ have been around since the 2006 coup, however it is only since March 2009 that they have become increasingly active in their protests. Fast-forward to April and the protests have escalated, as has the violence. The ‘red shirts’ occupied Bangkok’s shopping district and the government failed in its attempts to drive them out with the use of lethal force. Forty protesters were killed in the violence and the Thai government designated the shopping district as a ‘live fire’ zone, urging the protesters to leave the shopping district in fear of more bloodshed.
Then, last Wednesday, the government forces stormed the ‘red shirts’ camp, subsequently forcing their leaders to surrender for fear of mass loss of life.
Hopes of a peaceful resolution to the conflict always seemed far-fetched; indeed, one was never likely to come. In the end, the government’s attempts at peace talks failed long ago – a result that many believe was intended as a means to justify the ultimate crackdown.
Democracy in Thailand has always been a fleeting ideal – a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now it appears the chance has been lost once again.