The Thai military continues to wield substantial political power even in periods without coups, embedding itself deeply in the country’s political structure. This influence is maintained through constitutional design, legal authority, political networks, economic patronage, and cultural messaging. Although Thailand often appears to be under civilian rule, the military’s presence in state institutions ensures that it remains a central political actor behind the scenes.
One major source of this influence comes from constitutional and institutional structures created after previous coups. These arrangements limit the authority of elected governments while empowering unelected bodies aligned with military interests. For example:
The appointed Senate serves as a long-term guardian of military and conservative interests, including in prime-ministerial selection.
Independent agencies such as the Constitutional Court and Election Commission act as veto players that can dissolve parties or remove elected leaders.
Military-designed constitutions deliberately weaken political parties and reduce civilian control over the state.
Through these mechanisms, the military can influence political outcomes without formally holding office.
Another important pillar of military influence is the national security apparatus, which grants the armed forces extensive legal power during times of “instability.” Institutions such as the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and security laws like the Internal Security Act and Emergency Decree allow the military to intervene in political affairs while maintaining the appearance of legality. These tools enable the military to:
monitor political movements and civil society,
restrict protests and gatherings,
conduct information operations and public messaging, and
exert indirect pressure on governments.
This creates a political environment where civilian leaders must govern with the military’s preferences in mind.
Economically and bureaucratically, the military’s reach is extended through extensive patronage networks. The armed forces control large defense budgets, procurement contracts, and state-linked businesses, which allow them to cultivate loyalty across the bureaucracy and among business elites. As a result:
the upper bureaucracy often aligns with military preferences,
military officers gain key roles in state enterprises, and
economic elites support the military for stability and access to contracts.
References:
Chambers, Paul, and Napisa Waitoolkiat. Khaki Capital: The Political Economy of the Military in Southeast Asia (Thailand chapters). NIAS Press, 2017.
Chambers, Paul. “Civil–Military Relations in Thailand: The Return of the Old Elite?” Asian Survey 52, no. 6 (2012): 1059–1079.
McCargo, Duncan. Thai Politics: A Critical Introduction. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, 2020.
Montesano, Michael, Terence Chong, and Mark Heng, eds. After the Coup: The National Council for Peace and Order Era and the Future of Thailand. ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, 2019.
Baker, Chris, and Pasuk Phongpaichit. A History of Thailand. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Harding, Andrew, and Peter Leyland, eds. The Constitution of Thailand: A Contextual Analysis. Hart Publishing, 2011.