Thailand Political Situation

Photo credit

• Key Facts
• Political Situation
• Economic Situation
• Foreign Relations

Thailand Political Situation

Thailand has undergone a major political upheaval of late, with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra being overthrown in the September 2006 military coup. National democratic elections were held on 23 December 2007 and the new Thai parliament convened on 21 January 2008. However, despite the return to constitutional normalcy in Thailand, political uncertainty prevails with protest activity, underway since August 2008, intensifying in recent weeks. The protests are being led by the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which consists largely of middle and upper-class people from Bangkok and the South.  Prime Minister Samak resigned on 9 September 2008 after being found guilty of breaching the constitution and was replaced by Somchai Wongsawat.