Martial law was then declared, without regard to the decision of the Thai people who put him into power. This arbitrary silencing of the people’s choice for prime minister shows direct disregard to the basic tenants of democracy. Moreover, the suspension of elections by the military, until otherwise noted, posed a greater threat to Thailand’s institutionalization of democracy. The reign of Shinawatra deepened the divide in civil society between Yellow Shirts (the urban economic elites) and the Red Shirts (the populists). Although Thaksin was forced out of power by the authoritarian rule of the military, we see the strengthening of civil society to democratically oppose, or favor, their
Martial law was then declared, without regard to the decision of the Thai people who put him into power. This arbitrary silencing of the people’s choice for prime minister shows direct disregard to the basic tenants of democracy. Moreover, the suspension of elections by the military, until otherwise noted, posed a greater threat to Thailand’s institutionalization of democracy. The reign of Shinawatra deepened the divide in civil society between Yellow Shirts (the urban economic elites) and the Red Shirts (the populists). Although Thaksin was forced out of power by the authoritarian rule of the military, we see the strengthening of civil society to democratically oppose, or favor, their