Word: coups
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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...
...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...
...Bangkok's middle class rose up to demand that the then coup leader, Gen. Suchinda Krapayoon, resign. Suchinda had the army open fire, killing scores in what has come to be known as "Black May." Samak, who was deputy prime minister, called the demonstrators troublemakers and communists, and said it was acceptable for the government to shoot them. After the King intervened and democracy was restored, Samak still won a seat to parliament in Bangkok's military-dominated Dusit district. During the late 1990s, he and Thaksin served as cabinet ministers in the scandal-plagued government of Prime Minister Banharn...
...skillful bit of mud-slinging, Samak, once himself known as a militarist, has used this scenario to accuse the Democrat Party, which has consistently criticized the coup, of being the army's puppets. Asked if he believes the generals will truly interfere if the PPP wins, Samak told TIME, "I would like to see how they will try. The world will be watching...