The man in khaki--debaser or developer? The Thai military in politics, with particular reference to the 1976-1986 period

This dissertation serves as a case study on civil- military relations and the role of the military in Thai politics. It is based on the thesis that military intervention in Thailand is the function of certain variables, and that the Thai military's role gradually changed as these variables changed.;This dissertation is a case analysis rather than a theoretical treatise. It employs a historical-analytical approach in some parts and a thematic orientation in others. The case study method was chosen so that the unique characteristics of Thai military rule could be studied in close detail. The reasoning throughout was primarily inductive.;The source materials used included both English- and Thai-language books concerning Thailand and the military in the Third World, scholarly and current affairs periodicals in both languages, daily newspapers, official documents and publications of the Royal Thai Government, doctoral dissertations, and unpublished reports.;The thesis of this dissertation is that the military in Thailand has managed to maintain a position of dominance in politics in the absence of any other civilian institution strong enough to challenge it. This study proposes that such dominance is a multivariate issue, resulting from many intertwining factors. These are divided into five classifications: (1) Historical background and legacy, (2) Political system, (3) Political culture, (4) Weakness of civilian institutions, and (5) Strength of military institution.;Although the dissertation discusses military intervention in Thailand since the 1932 Revolution, particular attention is paid to the 1976-1986 period. It begins with the 1976 military takeover, has the 1979 general elections as its centre point, and ends with the 1985 abortive coup and the unprecedented sacking of the Army Commander-in-Chief in 1986.;However, the past decade has seen a gradual change in Thai politics as a result of the following factors: (1) Birth of interest groups, (2) Strengthened political party system, (3) Increased political awareness, and (4) Influence of monarchy. This has led to an erosion of the military's traditional supremacy and has prompted the "men in khaki" to seek new means of seeking legitimacy and influence for themselves.