Thai Paradoxical Political Drama Unfolds in 2023: Insights and Interpretations Informed by an Interdisciplinary Lens

Thai Paradoxical Political Drama Unfolds in 2023: Insights and Interpretations Informed by an Interdisciplinary Lens

Context

If one word could be used to describe modern Thai politics, it would be annijang (impermanence) emphasized by the late Thai progressive political thinker Dr. Pridi Banomyong.  Thailand has seen been coups d’état, constitutions, and genres of “democracy” since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. 

Objectives

This paper has two basic goals, one descriptive and one analytical.  The first is simply to explain the unfolding of the Thai political drama in 2023 which resulted in the party losing the May 2023 national election forming a government about 100 days later.  This outcome was naturally rather puzzling for many outside observers.  The second analytical goal is to assess critically this unexpected outcome and to interpret what it means for the future of Thai politics and democracy.

Method

To understand complex Thai politics, an interdisciplinary approach is used seeking insights primarily from influential Thai public intellectuals in diverse disciplines. In-depth interviews of 10-15 prominent Thai public intellectuals will be conducted to ascertain their analysis and interpretation of the political drama that unfolded in 2023.  Purposive maximum variation sampling will be used (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016). Among those to be interviewed, for example, would be the political scientist, Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak and the economist, Dr. Pasuk Phongpaichit.

Findings and Implications

The critical assessments obtained from these in-depth interviews are then synthesized discussing their implications for the future of Thai politics and democratization.