Thai politics through more than a decade of turmoil
(Baonghean.vn) - Over the past decade, from the overthrow of former Prime Minister Thaksin in 2006 to former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra fleeing abroad, Thai politics has always been unstable with protests and deep factional divisions.
1. 2001: Thaksin Shinawatra becomes prime minister
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In January 2001, Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party (founded in July 1998) won the election. Telecommunications billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra won a convincing victory in the Thai election. He pursued populist policies, winning the support of rural voters and the urban poor. Photo: Getty. |
2. 2005: Thaksin Shinawatra re-elected
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In February 2005, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was re-elected - he was the first democratically elected prime minister in Thailand to complete a four-year term. Running for a second term, he continued to win with an overwhelming majority of votes. |
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The Thaksin administration was accused of corruption and nepotism. The prime minister's call for an irregular vote was boycotted by the opposition. Amid anti-government protests, the military staged a coup to oust Thaksin on December 19. This was the first coup in Thailand in 15 years, and from then on Thaksin began to live in exile. Photo: Getty. |
4. 2008: Mr. Samak Sundaravej became Prime Minister
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Mr. Samak Sundaravej, leader of the People Power Party, and five other small parties formed a coalition government with him as prime minister after the election on December 23, 2007. This was the first legislative election since Mr. Thaksin was ousted, replacing the interim government led by General Surayud Chulanont. Photo: Getty. |
5. 2008: "Yellow Vest" protests
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Opponents of Mr Thaksin, mainly middle-class loyalists to the Thai military and royal family, have staged large protests in Bangkok. They are known as the "Yellow Shirts", in contrast to the "Red Shirts", who support Mr Thaksin. The "Yellow Shirts" have called for the government to be dissolved. Photo: Reuters |
2008: AbhisitVejjajiva lthe one in power
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Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party - the opposition in Thailand at that time, became prime minister with the backing of the military after a parliamentary vote. Previously, General Somchai Wongsawat briefly held power after Prime Minister Samak was dismissed by the court. Photo: Internet |
2010: "Red Shirt" protests
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Supporters of Thaksin and the Shinawatra family held large protests in Bangkok, calling for Abhisit to step down. In April and May, the protests turned into riots that left 90 people dead. Photo: Getty. |
2011: Yingluck Shinawatra elected - becoming Thailand's first female Prime Minister
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Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr Thaksin's sister, won the election and became Thailand's first female prime minister. Photo: Getty. |
2013: Government of Prime Minister YingluckShinawatra,crisis
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The "Yellow Shirts" protested calling for Ms. Yingluck to resign. They accused the female prime minister of corruption, abuse of power in the rice subsidy program that caused tens of billions of dollars in losses as well as a political amnesty bill that could allow Mr. Thaksin to return to the country without serving time in prison. Photo: Getty. |
2014: Prime Minister YingluckShinawatradismissed, military coup
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The opposition blocked the Yingluck government's attempt to hold a snap election. In the face of fierce protests, the Constitutional Court dismissed Yingluck and several ministers on May 7. Two weeks later, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha (pictured) staged a coup and became Thailand's new prime minister. Photo: Getty. |
2015: Prime Minister YingluckShinawatraimpeached
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Ms Yingluck was indicted on charges of gross negligence in a controversial rice subsidy scheme. She was banned from politics for five years, placed under house arrest and required to appear in court regularly. Photo: Getty. |
2016: Thai King Bhumibol passes away
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Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on October 13 after seven decades on the throne. The military government announced that democratic elections will be held in 2018. Photo: Internet |
August 2017: Yingluck suspected of fleeing
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On August 25, Ms. Yingluck did not appear at the final hearing in which she faced a 10-year prison sentence. Many sources said that Mr. Thaksin's sister may have left Thailand before the trial took place. Photo: Getty. |
Peace
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