The Circle of Military Coup in Thai Politics: The Interpretation of Phenomenon through Thick Description

Abstract

Since Thailand changed the regime from absolute monarchy to democracy in 1932 (B.E. 2475) military coup and Thai politics have always been a part of it. Military has intervened and has always played a political role. This article would like to present the factors of military intervention in politics that have taken root in Thai society as a form of Thai political culture through the philosophy of social science and the view of thick description by Clifford Geertz. The military coup was the results of the attitude, ideology, and culture of military organizations that unique and stronger than civil organizations, including Thai political culture that mix between authoritarianism and liberalism which determines the political behavior in society as well as create a pattern of Thai political system to remain in the cycle of military coup. The body of knowledge indicates that the coup in Thai politics from the past to the present has been instilled in the attitude and ideology that form a conservative corporate culture. Some people recognized and supported the military's political intervention. Most Thai people still think that politics and governance are about the ruling class and some powerful people. Sometimes when the military was deprived of role in power and function, including the budget for military development or excessive civilian intervention, it would cause a coup in order for the military to maintain its own rights and freedoms. It also includes the balance of power between the armed forces themselves. All these reasons were the factors that caused the coup in Thailand and there will be many more in the future.