ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that how the middle class and civil society organisations perceive democracy depends on the extent to which a political change affected their political interests. With the royal transition and uncertainties that come with it, they cast their suspicion over democracy because, without King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the monarchy may not be able to guarantee their political interests. This chapter employs the contingent democrats school, arguing that the Thai middle class’s affinity with democracy is mainly contingent. The middle class does not hesitate to cooperate with the military to defend its political interests; thus it can be perceived as an unreliable partner of democracy. It only lends its support for democracy on its own conditional terms, earning the title of the “contingent class”.
