On why Thailand is politically unstable

Since the 1932 revolution — triggered by a coup by progressive elites that replaced the absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy — Thailand’s politics have been marked by persistent conflict and instability.

This turmoil stemmed from an ongoing struggle between conservative camps backed by a group of royalists and the People’s Party (PP), significantly shaping Thai politics.

Historical accounts show that the conservative faction employed various tactics to oppose the PP, including the closure of parliament, the Boworadet Rebellion (a 1933 Thai rebellion led by royalist Prince Boworadet) and the Phraya Songsuradet Rebellion.

Despite these challenges, PP emerged victorious in all conflicts until November 1947, when Thailand experienced a coup that brought civilian Khuang Aphaiwong, also a royalist, to the position of prime minister. However, his tenure was…