Thai politics

Given the uncertainty implied by King Bhumibol's death, and the prospect of an unpopular crown prince eventually reigning, stability seems unlikely in Thailand any time soon.

Thailand's new constitution locks in the role of the military as the guiding force in Thai politics.

If Thaksin Shinawatra can diagnose Thailand's problems from exile, why can't the military junta fix them?

The lifting of martial law in Thailand hasn't resulted in democracy as most would describe it.

The Thai military has not played the role of "democratic defender" following its recent coup. Instead, its intervention shows its desperate move to maintain power ahead of the imminent royal succession.

As the U.S. hosts the largest number of Thai immigrants — about 250,000 — it stands to reason that Thailand's color-coded politics would land on its shores. Both camps are trying to lobby the U.S. government.

The generals who now control Thailand are making a big show of shifting their attention from guns to butter. They would have better luck if they could communicate their ultimate intentions to the rest of the world.

Last week's military coup in Thailand may have been a reluctant coup, but the inclination should have been resisted. The longer it takes Gen. Prayuth Chanchoa to produce a civilian government, the greater the risk that soldiers will turn their guns against the people.