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Thailand Place in National Life
The country's military establishment was developed
essentially to protect and defend an ethos that is still widely
upheld: adherence to the monarchy, practice of Buddhism, and
devotion to one's country. Over the years, the armed forces have
generally ensured a sufficient level of peace, order, and
domestic security to maintain political stability. In this
respect the Thai military's place in national life has been like
that of many other nations. However, military officers--
particularly in the army--were much more deeply involved in the
country's governmental and business operations than were their
counterparts in most Western nations
(see National and Urban Structures: Class and Status
, ch. 2;
Political Developments, 1980-87
, ch. 4).
Seizing power in 1951, ostensibly to protect the country and
its traditional institutions from the threat of communist
influences, military leaders firmly reinforced the traditional
Thai values of peace, order, and security within the political
fabric of society. Although military control of the country gave
way in succeeding years to democratic periods of varying lengths,
the population still regarded the armed forces as an institution
that could be relied on when political stability was needed. One
result of this attitude was the persistent involvement of senior
military leaders in affairs in which the military in Western
countries usually are not allowed to engage. It became
commonplace for high-ranking officers to pursue military careers
while taking an active role in lucrative business activities that
in turn added to their influence in national affairs. The
military service also became for many a career that provided as
much opportunity for political achievement as did the civil
service.
Liberal-minded observers deplored the inordinate influence
the armed forces had on the country's sociopolitical existence.
Such criticism focused on allegations of repressive power
tactics, greed, and corrupt practices. Defenders of the military,
however, countered that in developing countries these abuses were
minor in relation to the armed forces' success in thwarting
communist takeovers and ensuring stability. In the late 1980s,
the military establishment remained an integral part of Thai
society.
Data as of September 1987
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