Macarandan, Rizza L Politics and Governance in Southeast Asia

AB Political Science 3A Prof. Ferdinand Salagan

MODULE 2 Activity on Thailand

1. Describe the historical development of Thailand   by making a timeline.  Be able to

include significant events which are considered as milestones in the brief historical
development of Thailand.  ( 15 pts)
2. Describe the political system ( structure of government, constitution, institutions of
government/branches of government, electoral system) in Thailand. Design a flowchart
or mind map to illustrate how the government in Thailand  operates? The discuss briefly.
( 30 pts) 
3. What might be a more appropriate political theory or model which you can borrow as a
lens in doing political analysis about Thailand ? Justify your answer. For the ouput, use
google slide, google forms or just attach a separate file for this activity. (25 pts)
 1. Describe the historical development of Thailand by making a timeline.  Be able to
include significant events which are considered as milestones in the brief historical
development of Thailand.  ( 15 pts)

Thailand
Historica
7th-10th Hindu and Buddhist Dvaravati culture, thought to be of the ethnic Mon people, predominates.
cent AD

10th-
14th
cent
l Thai-speaking Sukhothai kingdom expands its rule further south, coming to dominate much of modern-day
Thailand, before being eclipsed by a rival Thai kingdom in the south, Ayutthaya.

Timeline
1350-
1767
Ayutthaya kingdom gradually brings Thailand under its control and becomes a major power in Southeast
Asia. At its greatest extent around 1600, it rules parts of modern-day Cambodia, Laos and Burma.

King Ramesuan joins Ayutthaya and Sukhothai in personal union.

1448

Reign of Naresuan. Seen as Ayutthaya's greatest king, he ends a period of Burmese over lordship and
1590- briefly conquers Cambodia and parts of southern Burma.
1605

Invading Burmese forces sack the capital, Ayutthaya, bringing an end to the kingdom.
1767

Under Taksin the Great, an ethnic Thai Chinese, the short-lived Thonburi Kingdom re-establishes Thai
1768- control. Taksin is toppled by a coup launched by General Chao Phraya Chakri, who founds a new dynasty
1782 centered on Bangkok.

Beginning of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I, which rules to this day. The country is known as Siam.
1782 New capital of Bangkok founded.

Reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), who embraces Western innovations and initiates Thailand's
1851- modernization.
1868

Reign of King Chulalongkorn. Employment of Western advisers to modernize Siam's administration and
1868- commerce. Railway network developed.
1910

Siam becomes ally of Great Britain in World War I.

1917
 Bloodless coup against absolute monarch King Prajadhipok. Constitutional monarchy introduced with
1932 parliamentary government.

Siam changes its name to Thailand ("Land of the Free").

1939

Japanese forces land. After negotiations Thailand allows Japanese to advance towards British-controlled
1941 Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Burma.

Thailand declares war on Britain and US, but Thai ambassador in Washington refuses to deliver declaration
1942 to US government.

End of World War II. Thailand compelled to return territory it had seized from Laos, Cambodia and Malaya.
1945 Exiled King Ananda returns.

King Ananda dies in mysterious shooting incident.

1946

Military coup by the wartime, pro-Japanese leader Phibun Songkhram. The military retain power until
1947  1973.

1965 on Thailand permits US to use bases there during the Vietnam War. Thai troops fight in South Vietnam.
wards

Student riots in Bangkok bring about the fall of the military government. Free elections are held but the
1973 resulting governments lack stability.

Military takes over again.

1976

New constitution promulgated.

1978

Military coup, the 17th since 1932. A civilian, Anand Panyarachun, is installed as prime minister.
1991

Elections in September see Chuan Leekpai, leader of the Democratic Party, chosen as prime minister.
1992

Government collapses. Banharn Silpa-archa, of the Thai Nation party, elected prime minister.
1995
 Government collapses. Banharn Silpa-archa, of the Thai Nation party, elected prime minister.
1996 

Banharn government resigns, accused of corruption. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh of the New Aspiration party
wins elections.
1996 

Asian financial crisis: The baht currency falls sharply against the dollar, leading to bankruptcies and
unemployment. The IMF steps in. Chuan Leekpai becomes prime minister.
1997 

2001 Janu New Thai Love Thai party wins elections. Thaksin Shinawatra forms coalition government.
ary 

January-March -Martial law is imposed in largely-Muslim south after more than 100 killed in a wave of
attacks blamed on ethnic-Malay separatists.
2004 December - Thousands of people die when a massive tsunami, triggered by an undersea earthquake off
the coast of Sumatra, devastates communities on the south-west coast, including the resort of Phuket.

September-October- Military leaders stage a bloodless coup while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is
at the UN General Assembly. Retired General Surayud Chulanont is appointed interim prime minister.
2006

August- Voters approve a new, military-drafted constitution in a referendum.

2007

February- Return to civilian rule after December elections. Samak Sundaravej of the Thaksin-linked
People Power Party (PPP) is sworn in as prime minister. Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra returns from
exile.
2008
August- Thaksin flees to Britain with his family after failing to appear in court to face corruption charges.

March-May- Tens of thousands of Thaksin supporters - in trademark red shirts - paralyze parts of central
Bangkok with months-long protests calling for early elections. Troops eventually storm the protesters'
2010 barricades, leaving 91 dead.

The pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai party wins a landslide victory in elections. Yingluck Shinawatra - the sister of
Mr Thaksin Shinawatra - becomes prime minister.
2011 July

Government and separatists in south sign first-ever peace talks deal.

2013 Febr
uary
 Constitutional court orders Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several ministers out of office over
2014 Ma alleged irregularities in appointment of security adviser. Army seizes power in coup.
y
August- Voters approve a new constitution giving the military continuing influence over the country's
political life.
October- King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, dies at the age of 88 after 70
2016  years on the throne.
December- Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn is proclaimed king.

2017 Apr King Vajiralongkorn signs the new, military-drafted constitution that paves the way for a return to
il democracy.

March- General election sees former general Prayut Chan-o-cha returned to power as prime minister.
2019 November- Suspected separatists kill at least 15 people in southern Thailand, in one of the country's
worst attacks in years.
 2. Describe the political system ( structure of government, constitution, institutions of
government/branches of government, electoral system) in Thailand. Design a flowchart
or mind map to illustrate how the government in Thailand  operates? The discuss briefly.
( 30 pts) 
Monacrch Head of State

Prime Minister Head of

Govenrment

The Executive Branch

The judicial Branch

Council of The Legislative Branch

Ministers(Cabinet)

MInistry of Justice
Parliament(Nation
Assembly) The Dika Court

Ministry of Defence

House of
Representatives(The Senate(The Upper
Lower house of House of Parliament)
MInistry of Commerce Parliament)
The Appeal Courts

Ministry of Education 200 Members Elected

400members Elected from districs without
from Districts with 100 Party affictions
from Party list
Ministry of University
affairs Trial Courts

Ministry of Public
Health

Ministry of
Transporation and
communication

Ministry of Science,
technology and the
Environment

Ministry of Agriculture

Ministry of Labor and

Social Welfare

Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
3. What might be a more appropriate political theory or model which you can borrow as a lens in
doing political analysis about Thailand? Justify your answer. For the output, use google slide,
google forms or just attach a separate file for this activity. (25 pts)
Thailand is a tolerably prosperous nation with strong banks, present-day handling plants,
flourishing the travel industry, a creating salaried class and other ordinary markers of a
successful Democracy. Which is absolutely what it needs. Thailand has had such a noteworthy
number of upsets in its ongoing history that analysts on occasion suggested the latest eight
decades as its "overthrow season." in the middle of, there have been savage political difficulty.
The most recent round highlighted lethal road conflicts, politically spoiled defilement
preliminaries and the military taking control after a political decision crashed by fights. Over
three years on, the junta is still in control and there's no definite date yet for new decisions.

Thailand entered a one-year grieving period in the wake of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at that
point the world's longest-supreme ruler, passed on Oct. 13, 2016. He was an image of steadiness
and flourishing for the nation and has been fruitful in actualizing financial changes that
advantage the nation. Notwithstanding, with military upsets turning into a standard, residents are
contending for a powerful political framework that further advantage the poor particularly the
northern zone.