ABSTRACT
The contemporary concept of civil society tends to be associated with two main attributes. Civil society is seen as an associational realm occupied by organisations that are autonomous and independent from the state, and the existence of civil society organisations are expected to contribute to the vibrancy of democracy. Recent transformations in Thai civil society raise questions over this perspective. In past decades, the Thai state replaced foreign donors as the main supporter of civil society organisations. Such a new relationship was mediated by the connection made between civil society and the reform elites, who in turn endowed Thai civil society with redefined meanings. During recent political conflicts, the connection with the elites, and the redefined meanings, played a crucial role in turning Thai civil society towards an undemocratic political stance. The experiences from Thailand suggest important pathways for the concept of civil society to be reconsidered and refined.
