By Puangthong Pawakapan
ISEAS Perspective
Singapore 27 Jan 2015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Will Thailand’s New Constitution Be a Return to Authoritarianism?
• The aim of the 2014 coup d état in Thailand goes beyond toppling the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.
• By putting in place a new Constitution, the old centres of power are aggressively reconstructing the electoral system in their favour. The new political game deviates from the majoritarian principle and will instead ease the way for extra-parliamentary powers, including the armed forces, to intervene in politics.
• The new Constitution and an election will not return Thailand to full democracy. Although the new Constitution seeks to legitimize the position of the old centres of power, this will not be enough to guarantee stability for the new regime.
• Military power in politics will remain, and military control in some form will likely stay after the election.
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