Word: coups
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Thailand has often been looked upon as a bellwether for the development of democracy in Southeast Asia, and on the surface at least, Sunday's largely fair and trouble-free national election - Thailand's first since a September 2006 military coup - seemed to be a good sign. The country's political troubles, however, may be far from over...
...electoral politics, critics accused him of undermining constitutional checks and balances on his authority and abusing his power to intimidate opponents. Members of the urban middle class, who hadn't benefited from Thaksin's programs, eventually spilled into the streets demanding his ouster, prompting military intervention and a bloodless coup. TRT was dissolved by a Constitutional Tribunal, which found its members guilty of electoral fraud, and charges of corruption have been brought against Thaksin who, along with 110 other TRT executives, was banned from politics for five years...
...party made up largely of former TRT members whose leader, Samak Sundaravej, says he will pardon Thaksin and bring back his populist agenda. But bringing Thaksin back is easier said than done. It risks antagonizing military leaders, who fear the former Prime Minister will seek revenge for the coup; Muslims in Thailand's restive south, who suffered under the military clampdown imposed during his rule; southerners in general, who traditionally vote for the Democrats and felt ignored by Thaksin's government; and his longtime foes, the urban, Bangkok-centered middle class. Some who led the anti-Thaksin demonstrations...
...billion from the family of Thaksin Shinawatra, who at the time was Thailand's Prime Minister. Public outrage in Thailand over the sale of what was considered an important national asset to a Southeast Asia rival contributed to Thaksin's ouster as Prime Minister in a military coup in September...
...Amid this turmoil as the peace process stagnates, fears are growing that royalist elements in the military may attempt a coup. The camp's Commander Biwidh, a slight man whose weathered face looks far older than his 34 years, is aware of this threat. "We do not want another war," he sighs, turning his head toward the setting sun. "But if the revolution must be fought again, it will...