ABSTRACT
At the end of the 1980s, the political and economic future was looking good for Thailand, despite the economic downturn of the mid-1980s and two failed military coups in 1981 and 1985. The economy had again surged, with double-digit growth, and, for the first time since 1976, the country had an elected government headed by a prime minister who was an elected member of parliament (MP). Corruption was discussed, as it had been with almost all governments since 1945, but, in the context of rapid growth, it was not perceived as a major issue. Chatichai Choonhavan came to the prime ministership following the 1988 election and after the surprise retirement of General Prem Tinsulanonda, the unelected incumbent from 1980. Prem withdrew after enormous pressure from various groups and political parties demanding that the leader be drawn from the ranks of MPs. While this may appear an unremarkable event, at the time many saw it as a victory on the path to democracy. As events unfolded, it was to prove a precursor to a major turning-point in Thailand's political development.
