THAILAND 1992: Repression and Return of Democracy

The year 1992 was indeed dramatic for Thailand. Within a period of six months, the country saw two elections, three prime ministers, four governments, massive public demonstrations on the streets of Bangkok and a brutal military crackdown on civilians. As 1992 began, people looked to the scheduled March 1992 elections with mixed feelings but still with hope that the country would return to democracy. But it was soon clear that the elections in fact constituted an attempt by the military to continue with its hold on political power, albeit in a slightly different form. The military triumphed in the elections through its own political party, Samakkhi Tham Party (STP), which won the most parliamentary seats. With the STP serving as the core of a coalition government, the military seemed set to achieve its political goal. Unfortunately for the military, its hunger for political power was ill-disguised and it miscalculated the strength of the public reaction which followed. The bloody crackdown on demonstrations between 17 and 20 May resulted in the political demise of General Suchinda Kraprayoon's military clique and the disbanding of the STP. Democracy was restored following the 13 September election as the four pro-democracy parties won a majority to form a government