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Thailand’s Government Seems on the Verge of Collapse—Again
TIME ^ | 06/22/25 | Chad De Guzman

Posted on 06/22/2025 6:47:51 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

Domestic regime change is no stranger to Thailand, which has had at least 12 successful coups and 31 Prime Ministers since the founding of its current constitutional monarchy in 1932—itself the product of a coup.

It’s for that reason that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who took over after her fellow Pheu Thai party predecessor Srettha Thavisin was ousted from power last year, has sought to insulate the government against military takeovers, which have typically occurred in coordination with conservative, royalist elites. It’s likely, however, that she’s failed.

Amid an escalating crisis sparked by border tensions with neighbor Cambodia, experts and observers of Thai politics tell TIME that Paetongtarn is all but certain to be deposed within months, if not imminently. She would follow in the path of her father, divisive but influential Thai power broker and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as her aunt, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who were both forced out of office early in 2006 and 2014, respectively.

Whether by coup or political maneuvering, how exactly Paetongtarn may leave remains to be seen. But Thailand’s increasingly likely change in leadership—and the uncertainty that inevitably will follow—comes at a trying time of both economic headwinds and geopolitical challenges, threatening to throw the country into further instability.

Here’s what to know.

How we got here

Srettha—and by extension Paetongtarn—only attained the premiership through a faustian bargain after 2023’s election saw the progressive, pro-reform Move Forward party receive the most votes but just shy of the majority needed to form the government. Pheu Thai, a populist party that placed second and was initially seen to be more aligned with Move Forward, partnered instead with conservative minority parties, including pro-military forces it had campaigned against, to form a coalition of unlikely allies.

Now, that coalition is splintering apart.

(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cambodia; coup; moveforward; paetongtarnshinawatr; pheuthaiparty; sretthathavisin; thailand; thaksinshinawatra; yingluckshinawatra

1 posted on 06/22/2025 6:47:51 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Thailand? (an old FR joke or something)


2 posted on 06/22/2025 6:50:15 PM PDT by NEMDF
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To: SeekAndFind

Bangcock?


3 posted on 06/22/2025 7:10:45 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: NEMDF

…Oriental city.

That might be the punchline. I dunno…


4 posted on 06/22/2025 7:10:51 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: BradyLS

Something about Jonbenet Ramsey, and they found a possible suspect in Thailand, IIRC.


5 posted on 06/22/2025 7:16:10 PM PDT by NEMDF
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To: NEMDF

Phou Eey, a Hong Kong expat and martial artist will be the next prime minister.


6 posted on 06/22/2025 8:08:19 PM PDT by Waverunner (Torah! Torah! Torah! my favorite IDF radio code.)
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To: SeekAndFind

China runs her neighbors.


7 posted on 06/22/2025 8:13:37 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: NEMDF

Siam?


8 posted on 06/22/2025 8:16:00 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Waverunner

Number One Superguy


9 posted on 06/22/2025 8:19:14 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Been hearing from many that Thailand was a good place for expats to retire. I find that hard to believe with stuff like this going on.


10 posted on 06/22/2025 9:00:00 PM PDT by ducttape45 (Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?")
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To: SeekAndFind

Does the King agree?


11 posted on 06/22/2025 9:28:24 PM PDT by VanShuyten ("...that all the donkeys were dead. I know nothing as to the fate of the less valuable anima)
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To: NEMDF

Somebody had to do it. 😁


12 posted on 06/22/2025 9:30:08 PM PDT by Allegra (Thank you for your attention to this matter. )
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To: SeekAndFind

I hope there is a “happy ending”.


13 posted on 06/23/2025 3:53:49 AM PDT by central_va (The I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: Waverunner

He number one superguy long time.


14 posted on 06/23/2025 3:58:53 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: BradyLS; Sirius Lee

Spot on


15 posted on 06/23/2025 4:55:20 AM PDT by Waverunner (Torah! Torah! Torah! my favorite IDF radio code.)
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To: Allegra

I am glad to know that I am not the only FReeper to remember. LOL


16 posted on 06/23/2025 11:13:09 AM PDT by NEMDF
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...
Amid an escalating crisis sparked by border tensions with neighbor Cambodia, experts and observers of Thai politics tell TIME that Paetongtarn is all but certain to be deposed within months, if not imminently. She would follow in the path of her father, divisive but influential Thai power broker and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as her aunt, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who were both forced out of office early in 2006 and 2014, respectively.
The capital of Thailand should be named Bow.

17 posted on 06/23/2025 9:35:09 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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