Thai society and recessive democratic development

Abstract

The decline of democracy in Thailand appears from a country with freedom to a country with semi-freedom due to government including suppression, and blocking opinions that conflict with the government from citizens, academics, and civil society groups and protesters. The objectives of this research are 1) to study conditions affecting the development of democracy in Thailand 2) to study the decline of Thai democracy and 3) to find guidelines for the development of democracy in Thailand. It is qualitative research, by in-depth interview with 17 key informants, consisting of democracy academics and individuals with experience in the democratic development process.

The results of the research found that:

1) Conditions affecting the development of democracy in Thailand are government stability, the strength of democratic institutions, protection of people's rights and freedoms, resolving political conflicts, promoting public participation, improving the legal system, audit and transparency, media and information, development economic and social development and creating understanding and respect for the principles of diversity.

2) In democracy's decline, the role of leaders is political leaders who have strong character traits, no compromise no adjustment. They often create their own positions to form a pole or faction, and expand the scope of their power and has an authoritarian style. In terms of political culture, citizens have characteristics that favor dependency. There is political cooperation between groups with interests. They do not dare to openly criticize the ruling group, and have the characteristics of absolute power, in terms of political institutions, they are characterized by weak institutions, lack of legitimate authority, focusing on using power, lack of ability to carry out work, unbaling to maintain the rule of law and lack of independence; and on the military side, the army plays a high political role, in overthrowing democratic system, and in political intervention, thus the process of democratic development cannot occur.

3) From this research, it is found the CIE MODEL (3 principles) consisting of (1) Construction (2) Instigation, and (3) Endorsement. This model can be used as guidelines for developing democracy in Thailand.