ABSTRACT

Instead of taking more imaginative measures to integrate the northern, northeastern, and southern population through economic advancement and increased political participation, Thailand came to depend increasingly on US financial and military assistance to win its battle against domestic dissidents. The bureaucracy, a steady and respected component of the Thai governmental structure, which had traditionally enjoyed semi-independence even during the authoritarian military regimes, was grossly bypassed by Chatichai's aides on several occasions. The military leaders also accused Chalerm of eavesdropping on the military communications network. The decade following the end of military rule in 1992 was marked by regular elections in Thailand, though power was limited to the upper classes, the urban centers, and business leaders. Another major bone of contention between the army leadership and the government was the reinstatement and promotion of Manoon Roopkachorn, a former "Young Turk" leader who had been instrumental in the rise of General Kriangsak to power.