Impunity and the neglect of human rights in Thailand
A Thai soldier looks on as his colleagues question a Thai-Muslim student during a raid at an Islamic school in Pattani province, southern Thailand in July 2005. Human rights officials said civil liberties were compromised by laws giving authorities sweeping powers to quell an Islamic rebellion in the southern provinces. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Tyrell Haberkorn, ANU

Coups are not uncommon in Thai politics — September 2006 saw the tenth successful coup since the country’s transformation from absolute to constitutional monarchy in 1932 — but the aftermath of Thaksin Shinawatra’s deposition has been exceptionally bitter and violent.

Many observers hoped the newly elected Yingluck Shinawatra government would begin to consolidate the rule of law and respect for human rights in Thailand. Read more…