Today

Democracy had a shaky hold on Siam. Its original constitution, written in 1932, was more a tool for leaders to manipulate rather than a political blueprint to be adhered to. Over the following decades, government leadership changed hands fast and frequently, many times the result of hostile measures. The military had constant influence, most likely the result of its ties to the common people as well as its strong unity. In 1939, the nation adopted the name "Thailand" -- land of the free.

During World War II, democracy was stalled in the face of the Japanese invasion in 1941. Thailand gave up quickly, choosing alliance over conquer, even going so far as to declare war against the Allied powers. But at the war's end, no punitive measures were taken against Thailand, thanks to the Free Thai Movement organized by Ambassador Seni Pramoj in Washington, who had placed the declaration of war in his desk drawer rather than delivering it.

Thailand managed to stay out of direct involvement in the Vietnam War, however, it continues to suffer repercussions from the burden of refugees, as well as reap economic benefits from the infrastructure the U.S. military helped build. The United States pumped billions into the Thai economy, bringing riches to some and relative affluence to many but further impoverishing the poor, especially subsistence farmers, who were hit hard by the accompanying inflation. Communism became an increasingly attractive political philosophy to those ground down by burgeoning capitalism as well as to liberal-minded students and intellectuals, and a full-scale insurrection seemed imminent -- which of course fueled further political repression by the military rulers.

In June 1973, thousands of Thai students demonstrated in the streets, demanding a new constitution and the return to democratic principles. Tensions grew until October when armed forces attacked a demonstration at Thammasat University in Bangkok, killing 69 students and wounding 800, paralyzing the capital with terror and revulsion.

The constitution was restored, a new government was elected, and democracy once again wobbled on. Many students, however, were not yet satisfied and continued to complain that the financial elite were still in control and were still resisting change. In 1976, student protests again broke out, and there was a replay of the grisly scene of 3 years before at Thammasat University. The army seized control to impose and maintain order, conveniently spiriting away some bodies and prisoners, and another brief experiment with democracy was at an end. Thanin Kraivichien was installed as prime minister of a new right-wing government, which suspended freedom of speech and the press, further polarizing Thai society.

In 1980, Prem Tinsulanonda was named prime minister, and during the following 8 years he managed to bring remarkable political and economic stability to Thailand. The Thai economy continued to grow steadily through the 1980s, fueled by Japanese investment and Chinese capital in flight from Hong Kong. Leadership since then has seen quite a few changes, including a military coup in 1991, and another student crackdown in 1992.

In July 1997, Thailand became the first victim of the Asian Economic Crisis when it floated its currency -- a move that caused the baht to devalue 20 percent in the week to follow. A legacy of suspicious government ties to industry, massive overseas borrowing, overbuilt property markets, and lax bank lending practices bubbled to the surface. In November of that year, Chuan Leekpai was elected into power to lead the country out of the crisis, but 3 years later Thais were still unsatisfied with the progress being made to change the situation. In January 2001, the Thai people elected populist candidate Thaksin Shinawatra.

A telecom tycoon and a member of one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom, Prime Minister Thaksin came into office and raised Thai spirits, promising progress and reform of the economy and an end to corrupt crony-ism. Has he delivered? Thaksin's aggressive economic reform has brought the country out of debt and, in November 2003, Thailand payed back it's $12 billion loan to the International Monetary Fund, the money borrowed during the 1997 currency crisis. There are plans to decline all foreign aid from 2004. The popular prime minister is now waging his "War on Poverty and Dark Influence", cracking down on mafia activity and bribe collection (though corruption is still the rule on the local level). Some argue that Thaksin's reforms come at the cost of human liberties; most glaringly, the current administration is responsible for the blacklisting and deadly raids by police and other "silencing" deaths of drug trafficking suspects (estimates are as high as 3,000 people). The Thai economy is humming though and large scale building and investments are on the rise (not unlike the "bubble" model that led to collapse in 1997). Prime Minister Thaksin has certainly left his mark in a short term in office.

So what happened to the monarchy and the Chakri dynasty? King Bhimibol Adulyadej celebrated his sixth cycle birthday in 1998 (he turned 72). The king since 1946, Adulyadej has seen the dynasty to the new millennium with dignity and noble grace. A compassionate man, while he has no real government power, he is believed by all to be the ultimate upholder of the will of the Thai people. He continues the proud cultural traditions that bind the national psyche to its past while moving toward the future.