It was expected that any instability that followed last September's coup in Thailand would be short-lived. Supporters even hoped that the military-led government would lessen uncertainty, end corruption and soothe the tensions that fuel a Muslim insurgency in the country's southern provinces. Those hopes have gone unanswered. Instead, the government has mishandled the economy and the unrest has intensified. The situation in Thailand is only growing worse.
On Sept. 19, Thai generals ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, alleging that he was corrupt and that his mishandling of affairs of state -- particularly in regard to the Muslim insurgency in the south -- endangered national security. Most of the country's elites and middle classes welcomed the step: They considered Mr. Thaksin a populist upstart. Rural Thais and members of the lower classes backed the ousted prime minister, but they have accepted the new government just as the foreign governments that demand respect for democracy have.
Gen. Surayud Chulanont serves as prime minister in the military government that took office. It was anticipated that his rule would be short: A new constitution would be written and power handed over to a democratically elected government. The transition process is proving longer than expected. It took several months for the government to name the new committee that would draft the new constitution and elections are not even scheduled until later this year.