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Thailand is facing serious political turbulences for the last few weeks. Anti-government demonstrators, demanding resignation of the Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, have seized the Government House in Bangkok and battled with the security forces in other parts of the country. Several labor unions and transport workers' associations also joined the protest. However, resignation of Prime Minister will not put an end to the problem; it will start a new game altogether.
Kingdom of Thailand has a diverse geographic configuration that features flat plains, mountains, tropical rainforests and amazing beaches. The politics and governments of the country too, have shown an assortment of systems blended with interventions of the religion, monarchy and the military. Since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, it experienced governments dominated by the elite rich or the military powers.
Despite almost regular military interventions, Thailand saw a steady economic growth and a financial boom in the 1980s that continued in the 1990s in full pace. The country nonetheless was severely struck with what became known as Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. Inflations caused Thai Baht valuation fall from 25 to 56 against the US Dollar. Unlike some other neighboring countries, Thailand gained momentum and came back to path of growth within a short time. Internal disturbance however made it difficult to maintain a steady growth. The saga still continues.
The Kingdom experienced its last military coup on September 19, 2006 following mass anti-government protests against the than Premier Thaksin Shinawatra over several high stake corruption allegations. The capital of the country practically became human sea' before the Army stepped with the blessings of the Monarchy. Thaksin Shinawatra was away and remained there for sometimes. Army Chief vowed to have a fair election and kept his words. Situation took an interesting turn when Thaksin Shinawatra backed People's Power Party won the majority of seats in the December 2007 general election. Thaksin soon came back to face corruption cases, but only for few months; he fled to the UK last month and asked for political asylum there.
With a very brief silence, in mid 2008, Bangkok again became loud in the streets from protests demanding the resignation Shamak Sundaravej led government. The protesters say that Shamak led administration is only a puppet government, actually ruled by Thaksin himself.
A rather arrogant
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Thailand is facing serious political turbulences for the last few weeks. Anti-government demonstrators, demanding res... read more
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