Happy Coup Anniversary
Today marks the one year anniversary since General Prayuth Chan-ocha took power in May 2014.
I can best characterize the military coup’s existence in Thailand by the famous Shawshank Redemption phrase: “same old shit, different day.”
Putting the “we need democracy” argument aside, Prayuth’s administration has done an extremely poor job in managing the Thai economy, which grew no more than 1–2% in the final months of 2014. This year, GDP growth is projected at around 4%. Thailand’s political mess has brought its average growth to a rate of 2.9% since 2007. For all you econ nerds out there… seems like we’re stuck in some sort of middle-income trap, huh?
Other than the economy, everything else should be pretty obvious. There won’t be any elections held until August 2016 — we’re supposed to get to vote on the charter sometime between then and now.
Its been one long year, and I hope most of you would realize that all this “bring back happiness to Thailand” is utter BS. All this military coup nonsense is just politics and nothing more. No one is out there to make your day happier and eliminate “corrupt” politicians from Thai society.
We all hate to admit it, but Thailand’s problems is about the old establishment fighting a non-status quo political force.
Bill Clinton’s campaign manger once said: “It’s the economy, stupid.” So, Mr. Prayuth, fix up the economy before you cannot justify your rule. With the economy going well, you’ll at least have some excuse. Other than that, I can’t really do anymore than say good luck and quote another f-ing movie.
