2022 Thai Revolution: Difference between revisions
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| place = {{wp|Thailand}} | | place = {{wp|Thailand}} | ||
| coordinates = | | coordinates = | ||
| causes = * Expansion of {{wp|royal prerogative}} and {{wp|lèse majesté}} | | causes = * Expansion of {{wp|royal prerogative}} and {{wp|Lèse-majesté|lèse majesté}} | ||
* Democratic and economic regression | * Democratic and economic regression | ||
* Dissolution of the pro-democracy {{wp|Future Forward Party}} | * Dissolution of the pro-democracy {{wp|Future Forward Party}} | ||
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| goals = * Overthrow of the reigning {{wp|Chakri dynasty}} | | goals = * Overthrow of the reigning {{wp|Chakri dynasty}} | ||
* Drafting of a new constitution | * Drafting of a new constitution | ||
* Restriction of royal prerogative and abolition of lèse majesté laws | * Restriction of royal prerogative and abolition of {{wp|Lèse-majesté|lèse majesté}} laws | ||
* Increase in civil, political, and economic rights | * Increase in civil, political, and economic rights | ||
| methods = * {{wp|Civil resistance}} | | methods = * {{wp|Civil resistance}} | ||
* {{wp|Political demonstrations}} | * {{wp|Political demonstration|Political demonstrations}} | ||
* {{wp|General strikes}} | * {{wp|General strikes}} | ||
| status = | | status = | ||
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| sidebox = | | sidebox = | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''2022 Thai Revolution''' ({{wp|Thai}}: การปฏิวัติไทย พ.ศ. 2565) was a series of events that initially arose from widespread protests and demonstrations that eventually culminated in the overthrow of the ruling {{wp|Chakri dynasty}} and the subsequent establishment of a republican form of government, effectively replacing the {{wp|Thailand|Kingdom of Thailand}} with the present-day {{wp|Republic of Thailand}}. Consequently, the {{wp|Thai}} monarchy, first established in 1238 by the {{wp|Phra Ruang dynasty}}, came to an end in 2022, roughly 784 years later under the {{wp|Chakri dynasty}}. | The '''2022 Thai Revolution''' ({{wp|Thai}}: การปฏิวัติไทย พ.ศ. 2565) was a series of events that initially arose from widespread protests and demonstrations that eventually culminated in the overthrow of the ruling {{wp|Chakri dynasty}} and the subsequent establishment of a republican form of government, effectively replacing the {{wp|Thailand|Kingdom of Thailand}} with the present-day {{wp|Thailand|Republic of Thailand}}. Consequently, the {{wp|Thai}} monarchy, first established in 1238 by the {{wp|Phra Ruang dynasty}}, came to an end in 2022, roughly 784 years later under the {{wp|Chakri dynasty}}. | ||
The revolution was initially preceded by a series of protests and demonstrations brought on by the immediate impact of the {{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}} that demanded the dissolution of the country's military-controlled {{wp|National Assembly (Thailand)|parliament}}, an end to intimidation of civilians, and the drafting of a more inclusive and democratic constitution. In addition, longstanding reforms for {{wp|Thailand}}'s restrictive and draconian {{wp| | The revolution was initially preceded by a series of protests and demonstrations brought on by the immediate impact of the {{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}} that demanded the dissolution of the country's military-controlled {{wp|National Assembly (Thailand)|parliament}}, an end to intimidation of civilians, and the drafting of a more inclusive and democratic constitution. In addition, longstanding reforms for {{wp|Thailand}}'s restrictive and draconian {{wp|Lèse-majesté|lèse majesté}} laws also gained in importance, with calls to release those detained or imprisoned under said laws by the government. | ||
In response to mass rallies | In response to mass rallies that were largely centered in the capital city of {{wp|Bangkok}}, the government responded by implementing a severe state of emergency, seeking to crush opposition and dissent brought on by the protests and demonstrations. Consequently, protesters frequently clashed with security forces in and around {{wp|Bangkok}} while critics of the government were systematically arrested and detained. | ||
Despite harsh crackdown efforts by the government, over roughly two years long, protesters persisted and, following an increase in momentum that soon led to vocal foreign involvement via statements of condemnation and threats of economic sanctions, eventually compelled the unpopular {{wp|Monarchy of Thailand|King}} {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}} to abdicate in favour of his adolescent son and heir presumptive [[Dipangkorn|Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti]]. After initially ascending to the throne as '''Rama XI''', a subsequent referendum resulted in the abolition of the monarchy in favour of a parliamentary republic with an elected [[President of Thailand|president]] replacing the monarch as head of state. Consequently, the longstanding power and authority jointly held by the military and monarchy was effectively diminished in favour of a democratic framework that has since been in place. For their actions during the revolution, numerous government and military leaders, including {{wp|Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha}}, {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand|Deputy Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prawit Wongsuwan}}, {{wp|Royal Thai Armed Forces}}' {{wp|Chief of the Defence Forces (Thailand)|Chief of the Defence Forces}} {{wp|General officer|General}} {{wp|Chalermpol Srisawat}}, and numerous others were tried and sentenced for crimes against humanity and other offences. Moreover, after being detained by {{wp|German}} authorities while attempting to escape to {{wp|China}}, {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}} was extradited to {{wp|Thailand}} where he was charged and later sentenced to life imprisonment by the republican government on charges of crimes against humanity and various others. | |||
In line with the country's transition from a monarchy to a republic, the country's national day, traditionally celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of {{wp|Monarchy of Thailand|King}} {{wp|Bhumibol Adulyadej}}, was changed to 10 February to commemorate the date of the revolution. While officially known as National Day, it has also been popularly | In line with the country's transition from a monarchy to a republic, the country's national day, traditionally celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of {{wp|Monarchy of Thailand|King}} {{wp|Bhumibol Adulyadej}}, was changed to 10 February to commemorate the date of the revolution. While officially known as National Day, it has also been popularly called Republic Day or Revolution Day. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
For much of its modern history, especially since the {{wp|Siamese revolution of 1932}} which replaced the longstanding absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy, {{wp|Thailand}} has alternated between democratic elected governments and military rule with the total record of successful military coups being thirteen. | For much of its modern history, especially since the {{wp|Siamese revolution of 1932}} which replaced the longstanding absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy, {{wp|Thailand}} has alternated between democratic elected governments and military rule with the total record of successful military coups being thirteen. | ||
The most recent military coup took place in {{wp|2014 Thai coup d'état|2014}} | The most recent military coup took place in {{wp|2014 Thai coup d'état|2014}} when {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha}}, head of the {{wp|Royal Thai Army}}, deposed the government of {{wp|Yingluck Shinawatra}}, younger sister of another former {{wp|Thai}} premier {{wp|Thaksin Shinawatra}}. Consequently, {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha|Prayut}} was later appointed prime minister, a post that he held uninterrupted until his eventual removal from office in 2022 in the aftermath of the revolution. | ||
In the meantime, {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha|Prayut}}'s conservative and royalist government actively worked to suppress internal dissent, promoted an authoritarian style of government, and espoused mostly conservative values that were known as the "twelve values". Meanwhile, the popular {{wp|Future Forward Party}}, which came third in the {{wp|2019 Thai general election}}, was dissolved by the {{wp|Constitutional Court of Thailand}} which claimed that the party had violated election laws by accepting a loan from its leader, a claim that party officials strenuously deny while pointing to the military junta's corruption and involvement in the {{wp|1MDB scandal}} in neighbouring {{wp|Malaysia}}. | In the meantime, {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha|Prayut}}'s conservative and royalist government actively worked to suppress internal dissent, promoted an authoritarian style of government, and espoused mostly conservative values that were known as the "twelve values". Meanwhile, the popular {{wp|Future Forward Party}}, which came third in the {{wp|2019 Thai general election}}, was dissolved by the {{wp|Constitutional Court of Thailand}} which claimed that the party had violated election laws by accepting a loan from its leader, a claim that party officials strenuously deny while pointing to the military junta's corruption and involvement in the {{wp|1MDB scandal}} in neighbouring {{wp|Malaysia}}. | ||
| Line 74: | Line 74: | ||
In March 2020, the emergence of the {{wp|COVID-19}} virus prompted the government to invoke an emergency decree that led to a nationwide curfew with the main aim of curbing the spread of the virus. In addition, a travel ban was issued on all foreigners entering {{wp|Thailand}} as a cautionary measure. Regardless, despite a relatively successful response against the virus, international rights groups have criticised the emergency decree as a means to suppress free speech. Meanwhile, the absence of tourists and restrictions on movement heavily affected the country's tourism sector, leaving {{wp|Thailand}} with its worst economic downturn in almost three decades since the {{wp|1997 Asian financial crisis}}. Moreover, members of the public were also infuriated by the perceived privileged treatment of "VIP guests" who were later revealed to be positive for {{wp|COVID-19}}. During a visit by {{wp|Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha}} to the {{wp|Rayong Province}}, protesters who held up banners calling for his resignation were immediately arrested, sparking much criticism. | In March 2020, the emergence of the {{wp|COVID-19}} virus prompted the government to invoke an emergency decree that led to a nationwide curfew with the main aim of curbing the spread of the virus. In addition, a travel ban was issued on all foreigners entering {{wp|Thailand}} as a cautionary measure. Regardless, despite a relatively successful response against the virus, international rights groups have criticised the emergency decree as a means to suppress free speech. Meanwhile, the absence of tourists and restrictions on movement heavily affected the country's tourism sector, leaving {{wp|Thailand}} with its worst economic downturn in almost three decades since the {{wp|1997 Asian financial crisis}}. Moreover, members of the public were also infuriated by the perceived privileged treatment of "VIP guests" who were later revealed to be positive for {{wp|COVID-19}}. During a visit by {{wp|Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha}} to the {{wp|Rayong Province}}, protesters who held up banners calling for his resignation were immediately arrested, sparking much criticism. | ||
On the monarchy's part, the institution has also come under fire from critics who lambasted its strict use of the {{wp| | On the monarchy's part, the institution has also come under fire from critics who lambasted its strict use of the {{wp|Lèse-majesté|lèse majesté}} laws to silence critics of the monarchy, often very arbitrarily and with little to no due process. Moreover, the apparent excesses of the reigning {{wp|King of Thailand|King}} {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}}, which stands in stark contrast to the relative humbleness of his {{wp|Bhumibol Adulyadej|late father}}, has also invited criticism from members of the public especially in light of the hardships faced by many in the recent decade. In 2009, controversy emerged when {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}}, then the crown prince, was pictured alongside his then-wife {{wp|Srirasmi Suwadee}} celebrating the birthday of his poodle, namely {{wp|Air Chief Marshal}} {{wp|Fufu (dog)|Fufu}}. In particular, while {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}} himself was casually dressed, {{wp|Srirasmi Suwadee}} sparked controversy by wearing nothing but a {{wp|g-string}} undergarment whereas her exposed chest was laid bare. | ||
==Event== | ==Event== | ||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, the deeply unpopular and controversial {{wp|Monarchy of Thailand|King}} {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}} was compelled to abdicate the throne, which he officially did on 15 February 2022, five days after the revolution via a televised speech from | In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, the deeply unpopular and controversial {{wp|Monarchy of Thailand|King}} {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}} was compelled to abdicate the throne, which he officially did on 15 February 2022, five days after the revolution via a televised speech from his villa in {{wp|Bavaria}}, {{wp|Germany}}. Consequently, his heir presumptive [[Dipangkorn|Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti]], only seventeen years old and believed by many to have a developmental disorder, ascended to the throne as '''Rama XI''' while the new government planned a referendum due to take place within a few days to decide the country's future. For the ensuing fifteen-day period, at seventeen, [[Dipangkorn|Dipangkorn]] was briefly the world's youngest serving state leader and the world's youngest reigning monarch, temporarily surpassing the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Queen Alexandra]], who later regained both distinctions upon [[Dipangkorn|Dipangkorn]]'s abdication afterwards. | ||
On 20 February 2022, | On 20 February 2022, the interim government, which initially styled itself as the "National Transitional Council" and led by {{wp|Leader of the Opposition (Thailand)|Leader of the Opposition}} {{wp|Cholnan Srikaew}}, held a nationwide referendum to determine the country's political system for the foreseeable future. Consisting of two parts, the first part asked voters to either decide on either preserving or abolishing the monarchy and if so, further decide between a presidential republic, in which an elected president would serve as both head of state and head of government, and a parliamentary republic in which an elected president serves as head of state while the prime minister continues to serve as head of government. In the end, the results showed a decisive victory in favour of abolishing the monarchy with 66% in favour and a victory for a parliamentary republic system over a presidential republic with 54% in favour of the former. The following day, [[Dipangkorn|Dipangkorn]] abdicated after just six days on the throne and the government announced the official establishment of the "Republic of Thailand", bringing to an end {{wp|Thailand}}'s seven-centuries-long monarchical system that began in 1238 with {{wp|Si Inthrathit}} of the {{wp|Sukhothai Kingdom}} and ended in 2022 with [[Dipangkorn|Dipangkorn]] of the modern-day {{wp|Kingdom of Thailand}}. Following this, as it was decided that the [[President of Thailand|president]] would be elected by the legislature, much like in other parliamentary republics, the country's {{wp|National Assembly (Thailand)|National Assembly}}, consisting of approximately 700 members, [[2022 Thai presidential election|convened]] over the course of two rounds to elect former prime minister {{wp|Yingluck Shinawatra}}, who was previously ousted by a military coup in {{wp|2014 Thai coup d'état|2014}}, as the country's first [[President of Thailand|president]] on a five-year term which was determined to be only renewable once. | ||
In the months that followed, numerous government and military officials were prosecuted for their role in the revolution, including {{wp|Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha}}, {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand|Deputy Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prawit Wongsuwan}}, {{wp|Royal Thai Armed Forces}}' {{wp|Chief of the Defence Forces (Thailand)|Chief of the Defence Forces}} {{wp|General officer|General}} {{wp|Chalermpol Srisawat}}, as well as numerous others. Meanwhile, the deposed {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}}, who was in {{wp|Germany}} during the later stages of the revolution, was detained by {{wp|German}} officials and handed back to {{wp|Thailand}} under strict supervision and security to stand trial for his crimes. In the meantime, {{wp|Thailand}}'s former prime minister {{wp|Thaksin Shinawatra}} was allowed to return to the country from his self-imposed exile in the {{wp|United Arab Emirates}} for the first time in almost fifteen years | In the months that followed, numerous government and military officials were prosecuted for their role in the revolution, including {{wp|Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prayut Chan-o-cha}}, {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand|Deputy Prime Minister}} {{wp|Prawit Wongsuwan}}, {{wp|Royal Thai Armed Forces}}' {{wp|Chief of the Defence Forces (Thailand)|Chief of the Defence Forces}} {{wp|General officer|General}} {{wp|Chalermpol Srisawat}}, as well as numerous others. Meanwhile, the deposed {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}}, who was in {{wp|Germany}} during the later stages of the revolution, was detained by {{wp|German}} officials and handed back to {{wp|Thailand}} under strict supervision and security to stand trial for his crimes. In the meantime, {{wp|Thailand}}'s former prime minister {{wp|Thaksin Shinawatra}}, whose sister {{wp|Yingluck Shinawatra|Yingluck}} was later elected as the country's first [[President of Thailand|president]], was allowed to return to the country from his self-imposed exile in the {{wp|United Arab Emirates}} for the first time in almost fifteen years as the new republican government announced that they would conduct a "thorough and fair review" of {{wp|Thaksin Shinawatra|Thaksin}}'s convictions by courts deemed to be under the control of the previous military regime. In addition, numerous political prisoners were also released from detention while their past convictions, especially those relating to {{wp|Lèse-majesté|lèse majesté}}, were immediately overturned in line with the abolition of the monarchy. | ||
In the immediate context of {{wp|ASEAN}} geopolitics, the revolution is believed to have motivated ongoing protests against the ruling military junta government in {{wp|Myanmar}} | In the immediate context of {{wp|ASEAN}} geopolitics, the revolution is believed to have motivated ongoing protests and subsequent insurrection against the ruling military junta government in {{wp|Myanmar}} and anti-government protesters in {{wp|Cambodia}}, both of which are countries that directly border {{wp|Thailand}} and are ruled by military strongmen. With the effective abolition of the {{wp|Thai}} monarchy, among {{wp|Southeast Asian}} countries, only {{wp|Cambodia}}, {{wp|Laos}}, {{wp|Malaysia}}, {{wp|Brunei}}, and the [[Philippines]] remain as countries still operating as monarchies to the present day. In this, despite being met with strong opposition from countries such as neighbours {{wp|Myanmar}} and {{wp|Cambodia}}, as well as the likes of {{wp|China}}, {{wp|Russia}}, and {{wp|North Korea}}, the republican government has otherwise received considerable political and diplomatic support from countries including {{wp|India}}, {{wp|United States}}, {{wp|United Kingdom}}, {{wp|Australia}}, {{wp|Taiwan}}, {{wp|Japan}}, {{wp|South Korea}}, and the {{wp|European Union}}. On 17 February 2022, {{wp|United States Secretary of State}} {{wp|Antony Blinken}} became the first foreign official to visit {{wp|Thailand}} after the revolution, followed by {{wp|Japan}}'s foreign minister {{wp|Yoshimasa Hayashi}} on 22 February, and the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Queen Alexandra]] on 25 February. On 14 May 2023, roughly a year after the revolution, {{wp|Abdullah of Pahang|Sultan Abdullah}}, the head of state of neighbouring {{wp|Malaysia}}, conducted a state visit to the country, followed by the likes of {{wp|Singapore}}'s {{wp|Halimah Yacob}}, {{wp|India}}'s {{wp|Droupadi Murmu}}, {{wp|Indonesia}}'s {{wp|Joko Widodo}}, {{wp|Brunei}}'s {{wp|Hassanal Bolkiah}}, and the [[Philippines]]' {{wp|Benjamin Madrigal Jr.}}, thereby indicating majority support for the new regime in the region. In the meantime, while the former royal residences of {{wp|Grand Palace}} and {{wp|Dusit Palace}} were seized and remade into the official residences for the country's president, {{wp|Vajiralongkorn}}'s two villas in {{wp|Bavaria}}, {{wp|Germany}}, which he previously frequented, were also seized by {{wp|German}} authorities who had previously criticised him for seemingly executing his duties as king from abroad. Following this, properties were later auctioned off to private bidders. | ||
On 14 May 2023, a {{wp|2023 Thai general election|general election}} was held for the first time since the revolution. In this, the {{wp|Move Forward Party}} emerged as the biggest political party in the {{wp|House of Representatives (Thailand)|House of Representatives}}, resulting in {{wp|Pita Limjaroenrat}} being elected as the country's newest and youngest prime minister while {{wp|Paetongtarn Shinawatra}} of the {{wp|Pheu Thai Party}}, the niece of [[President of Thailand|President]] {{wp|Yingluck Shinawatra}} and daughter of former prime minister {{wp|Thaksin Shinawatra}}, became the country's first female and youngest deputy prime minister in a coalition government. Meanwhile, on 26 May 2022, after a thorough review of his previous convictions overseen by a group composed of both local and foreign judges, {{wp|Thaksin Shinawatra}}'s guilty two-year sentence over a corrupt land deal was upheld although he was allowed to serve his sentence in the form of a {{wp|house arrest}} albeit with certain conditions to abide by. Regardless, the results of the {{wp|2023 Thai general election|election}}, coupled with the erosion of the {{wp|Royal Thai Armed Forces|military}}'s longstanding power and influence, are seen by most observers as a return to power for the popular {{wp|Shinawatra family}} after two of its most prominent members were both convicted by courts during the military era although both of them fled into exile and never served their respective sentences before returning to the country. Moreover, the election of 42-year-old {{wp|Pita Limjaroenrat}} as {{wp|Prime Minister of Thailand|prime minister}} is also deemed by some observers to be an indication of a growing trend towards younger and more liberal-leaning leaders, especially given that the {{wp|Move Forward Party}} itself won an astounding seventy seats to become the largest political party in the country's lower house. | |||
Latest revision as of 16:10, 19 November 2024
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| Date | 10 February 2022 | ||
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| See casualties of the 2022 Thai Revolution | |||
The 2022 Thai Revolution (Thai: การปฏิวัติไทย พ.ศ. 2565) was a series of events that initially arose from widespread protests and demonstrations that eventually culminated in the overthrow of the ruling Chakri dynasty and the subsequent establishment of a republican form of government, effectively replacing the Kingdom of Thailand with the present-day Republic of Thailand. Consequently, the Thai monarchy, first established in 1238 by the Phra Ruang dynasty, came to an end in 2022, roughly 784 years later under the Chakri dynasty.
The revolution was initially preceded by a series of protests and demonstrations brought on by the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that demanded the dissolution of the country's military-controlled parliament, an end to intimidation of civilians, and the drafting of a more inclusive and democratic constitution. In addition, longstanding reforms for Thailand's restrictive and draconian lèse majesté laws also gained in importance, with calls to release those detained or imprisoned under said laws by the government.
In response to mass rallies that were largely centered in the capital city of Bangkok, the government responded by implementing a severe state of emergency, seeking to crush opposition and dissent brought on by the protests and demonstrations. Consequently, protesters frequently clashed with security forces in and around Bangkok while critics of the government were systematically arrested and detained.
Despite harsh crackdown efforts by the government, over roughly two years long, protesters persisted and, following an increase in momentum that soon led to vocal foreign involvement via statements of condemnation and threats of economic sanctions, eventually compelled the unpopular King Vajiralongkorn to abdicate in favour of his adolescent son and heir presumptive Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti. After initially ascending to the throne as Rama XI, a subsequent referendum resulted in the abolition of the monarchy in favour of a parliamentary republic with an elected president replacing the monarch as head of state. Consequently, the longstanding power and authority jointly held by the military and monarchy was effectively diminished in favour of a democratic framework that has since been in place. For their actions during the revolution, numerous government and military leaders, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Royal Thai Armed Forces' Chief of the Defence Forces General Chalermpol Srisawat, and numerous others were tried and sentenced for crimes against humanity and other offences. Moreover, after being detained by German authorities while attempting to escape to China, Vajiralongkorn was extradited to Thailand where he was charged and later sentenced to life imprisonment by the republican government on charges of crimes against humanity and various others.
In line with the country's transition from a monarchy to a republic, the country's national day, traditionally celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was changed to 10 February to commemorate the date of the revolution. While officially known as National Day, it has also been popularly called Republic Day or Revolution Day.
Background
For much of its modern history, especially since the Siamese revolution of 1932 which replaced the longstanding absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy, Thailand has alternated between democratic elected governments and military rule with the total record of successful military coups being thirteen.
The most recent military coup took place in 2014 when Prayut Chan-o-cha, head of the Royal Thai Army, deposed the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of another former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Consequently, Prayut was later appointed prime minister, a post that he held uninterrupted until his eventual removal from office in 2022 in the aftermath of the revolution.
In the meantime, Prayut's conservative and royalist government actively worked to suppress internal dissent, promoted an authoritarian style of government, and espoused mostly conservative values that were known as the "twelve values". Meanwhile, the popular Future Forward Party, which came third in the 2019 Thai general election, was dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand which claimed that the party had violated election laws by accepting a loan from its leader, a claim that party officials strenuously deny while pointing to the military junta's corruption and involvement in the 1MDB scandal in neighbouring Malaysia.
In March 2020, the emergence of the COVID-19 virus prompted the government to invoke an emergency decree that led to a nationwide curfew with the main aim of curbing the spread of the virus. In addition, a travel ban was issued on all foreigners entering Thailand as a cautionary measure. Regardless, despite a relatively successful response against the virus, international rights groups have criticised the emergency decree as a means to suppress free speech. Meanwhile, the absence of tourists and restrictions on movement heavily affected the country's tourism sector, leaving Thailand with its worst economic downturn in almost three decades since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Moreover, members of the public were also infuriated by the perceived privileged treatment of "VIP guests" who were later revealed to be positive for COVID-19. During a visit by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to the Rayong Province, protesters who held up banners calling for his resignation were immediately arrested, sparking much criticism.
On the monarchy's part, the institution has also come under fire from critics who lambasted its strict use of the lèse majesté laws to silence critics of the monarchy, often very arbitrarily and with little to no due process. Moreover, the apparent excesses of the reigning King Vajiralongkorn, which stands in stark contrast to the relative humbleness of his late father, has also invited criticism from members of the public especially in light of the hardships faced by many in the recent decade. In 2009, controversy emerged when Vajiralongkorn, then the crown prince, was pictured alongside his then-wife Srirasmi Suwadee celebrating the birthday of his poodle, namely Air Chief Marshal Fufu. In particular, while Vajiralongkorn himself was casually dressed, Srirasmi Suwadee sparked controversy by wearing nothing but a g-string undergarment whereas her exposed chest was laid bare.
Event
Aftermath
In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, the deeply unpopular and controversial King Vajiralongkorn was compelled to abdicate the throne, which he officially did on 15 February 2022, five days after the revolution via a televised speech from his villa in Bavaria, Germany. Consequently, his heir presumptive Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, only seventeen years old and believed by many to have a developmental disorder, ascended to the throne as Rama XI while the new government planned a referendum due to take place within a few days to decide the country's future. For the ensuing fifteen-day period, at seventeen, Dipangkorn was briefly the world's youngest serving state leader and the world's youngest reigning monarch, temporarily surpassing the United Kingdom's Queen Alexandra, who later regained both distinctions upon Dipangkorn's abdication afterwards.
On 20 February 2022, the interim government, which initially styled itself as the "National Transitional Council" and led by Leader of the Opposition Cholnan Srikaew, held a nationwide referendum to determine the country's political system for the foreseeable future. Consisting of two parts, the first part asked voters to either decide on either preserving or abolishing the monarchy and if so, further decide between a presidential republic, in which an elected president would serve as both head of state and head of government, and a parliamentary republic in which an elected president serves as head of state while the prime minister continues to serve as head of government. In the end, the results showed a decisive victory in favour of abolishing the monarchy with 66% in favour and a victory for a parliamentary republic system over a presidential republic with 54% in favour of the former. The following day, Dipangkorn abdicated after just six days on the throne and the government announced the official establishment of the "Republic of Thailand", bringing to an end Thailand's seven-centuries-long monarchical system that began in 1238 with Si Inthrathit of the Sukhothai Kingdom and ended in 2022 with Dipangkorn of the modern-day Kingdom of Thailand. Following this, as it was decided that the president would be elected by the legislature, much like in other parliamentary republics, the country's National Assembly, consisting of approximately 700 members, convened over the course of two rounds to elect former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was previously ousted by a military coup in 2014, as the country's first president on a five-year term which was determined to be only renewable once.
In the months that followed, numerous government and military officials were prosecuted for their role in the revolution, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Royal Thai Armed Forces' Chief of the Defence Forces General Chalermpol Srisawat, as well as numerous others. Meanwhile, the deposed Vajiralongkorn, who was in Germany during the later stages of the revolution, was detained by German officials and handed back to Thailand under strict supervision and security to stand trial for his crimes. In the meantime, Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose sister Yingluck was later elected as the country's first president, was allowed to return to the country from his self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates for the first time in almost fifteen years as the new republican government announced that they would conduct a "thorough and fair review" of Thaksin's convictions by courts deemed to be under the control of the previous military regime. In addition, numerous political prisoners were also released from detention while their past convictions, especially those relating to lèse majesté, were immediately overturned in line with the abolition of the monarchy.
In the immediate context of ASEAN geopolitics, the revolution is believed to have motivated ongoing protests and subsequent insurrection against the ruling military junta government in Myanmar and anti-government protesters in Cambodia, both of which are countries that directly border Thailand and are ruled by military strongmen. With the effective abolition of the Thai monarchy, among Southeast Asian countries, only Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines remain as countries still operating as monarchies to the present day. In this, despite being met with strong opposition from countries such as neighbours Myanmar and Cambodia, as well as the likes of China, Russia, and North Korea, the republican government has otherwise received considerable political and diplomatic support from countries including India, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. On 17 February 2022, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken became the first foreign official to visit Thailand after the revolution, followed by Japan's foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on 22 February, and the United Kingdom's Queen Alexandra on 25 February. On 14 May 2023, roughly a year after the revolution, Sultan Abdullah, the head of state of neighbouring Malaysia, conducted a state visit to the country, followed by the likes of Singapore's Halimah Yacob, India's Droupadi Murmu, Indonesia's Joko Widodo, Brunei's Hassanal Bolkiah, and the Philippines' Benjamin Madrigal Jr., thereby indicating majority support for the new regime in the region. In the meantime, while the former royal residences of Grand Palace and Dusit Palace were seized and remade into the official residences for the country's president, Vajiralongkorn's two villas in Bavaria, Germany, which he previously frequented, were also seized by German authorities who had previously criticised him for seemingly executing his duties as king from abroad. Following this, properties were later auctioned off to private bidders.
On 14 May 2023, a general election was held for the first time since the revolution. In this, the Move Forward Party emerged as the biggest political party in the House of Representatives, resulting in Pita Limjaroenrat being elected as the country's newest and youngest prime minister while Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party, the niece of President Yingluck Shinawatra and daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, became the country's first female and youngest deputy prime minister in a coalition government. Meanwhile, on 26 May 2022, after a thorough review of his previous convictions overseen by a group composed of both local and foreign judges, Thaksin Shinawatra's guilty two-year sentence over a corrupt land deal was upheld although he was allowed to serve his sentence in the form of a house arrest albeit with certain conditions to abide by. Regardless, the results of the election, coupled with the erosion of the military's longstanding power and influence, are seen by most observers as a return to power for the popular Shinawatra family after two of its most prominent members were both convicted by courts during the military era although both of them fled into exile and never served their respective sentences before returning to the country. Moreover, the election of 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister is also deemed by some observers to be an indication of a growing trend towards younger and more liberal-leaning leaders, especially given that the Move Forward Party itself won an astounding seventy seats to become the largest political party in the country's lower house.