THESLAUGHTER of up to 100 pro-democracy demonstrators Bangkok last week has cast a spotlight on the persistence of military rule the facade 'democracy' The army carried out a bloodless coup in 1988, and promised a return to civilian rule. But the 22 March elections gave governmental power to political parties controlled by the army and, especially, the air force.
Their appointment of a non-elected prime minister, Kraprayoon, led to an explosion of anger amongst the middle class and workers of Bangkok.
Thailand has, except for short penoos, beentarco by thematary suke 932, when the army pushed aside the king and his immediate circle. Military rule reflected the social structure of the country- - a small working class, and a weak middle class. National unity and cohesion was provided by the armed forces.
Electronics
But Thailand has been undergoing rapid social changes, becoming a centre for the assembly of electronic goods from foreign components. Its main ex3058476 10 108 agricultural goods ke rice and teak, but computers and These social changes have created a middle class, especially in the Bangkok area, which no longer sees why the corrupt military should hold all the reins of power.
The first major challenge to military rule came with the mass student mobilisations in 193. At that time the King intervened prevent to an army massacre. But after three years, in 1976, the military finally cracked down with a bloody coup that killed hundreds.
Thousands of the student activists fled to the jungle to join the pro-Chinese Thai Communist Party (CT) in guerilla warfare. But following the 1979 border war between Vietnam and China the CPT went into crisis. Its supply line from China through Laos were blocked by the Vietnamese and their Laotian allies.
The students were disappointed by den CPT. Gradually they drifted backto the towns. Dispersed, most of them dropped fine the cit and the political activity growth of the economy, civilian parties were allowed an increased political role, until the military stormed back in 1988.
The March elections were carefully prepared by the military. Massive corrupton was usco to buy ponticians - a transfer fee of 8 million baht, about €115,000, is thought to be the going rate to buy an MP.
she chant sha party was taken over by retired air Chief Marshal Somboom chair of the National Military Council, The Social Action Party leadership was taken over by a retired general, this time an aide of army commander, now prime minister, Suchinda Kraprayoon.
With two other parties effectively under military control, the military stacked the electoral cards. But in the capital Bangkok the Palang Dharma led by former army general This party fought on an anti-corruption ticket against the pro-military parties.
Even if the elections had been an exercise in staged-managed 'democracy', with massive corruption and vote buying. the military might have got away with it.
But they made the fatal mistake of appointing Suchinda as prime minister, when he was not even an elected MP. The fact of continuing military rule was too open not to provoke opposition.
48-member cabinet announced on 17 April also contained a host of top generals and people in the pay of the armed forces. responded with mass rallies and a one man hunger strike.
This set the scene for last week's rioting and the eventual bloody repression of the revolt. The dramatic intervention of the King to restrain the army has put Suchinda's future in doubt. It seems unlikely that the mass movement will be held back for long.