What type of coup?

JC Wilcox balances the issues very well, but the fundamental matter is what sort of coup this was. Traditionally, Thai putsches have been of the “musical chairs” variety, in which the justification is always the threat to public order and/or the pervasion of corruption. Within a year or two, civilian politicians regain the reins of power, as happened post-2006. Nothing really changes.

But there is also the “breakthrough” coup, which is a serious attempt to cancel the traditional elite’s influence and bring about a new political and social order. This happened in China in 1911 and Egypt in 1952, with the traditional elite permanently overthrown. Is the Thai coup of 2014 an attempt at fundamental change? Time alone will show, but breakthrough coups require much more time than the 18 months of military rule that’s been promised.

Barry Kenyon

Chon Buri