• Research
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie India logoCarnegie lettermark logo
{
  "authors": [
    "Vikram Nehru"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "asia",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "AP",
  "programs": [
    "Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Southeast Asia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

Understanding Thailand’s Coup

Thailand’s coup is rooted in the clash between the rising voice of the rural poor and the established power of the Bangkok elite. The resolution of this clash will determine the character of Thai democracy.

Link Copied
By Vikram Nehru
Published on Jun 2, 2014

Source: Diplomat

Carnegie’s Vikram Nehru sat down with Shannon Tiezzi of the Diplomat to discuss the recent ouster of Thailand’s democratically elected government by the Thai military and constitutional court. In the interview, he explained why this coup is unique in Thailand’s long history of over a dozen coups, and examined the rising political power of the rural poor in the north and northeast of the country, the role of the monarchy in Thai politics and the coup, the implications of the coup for the region, and the steps that will be necessary to reach a democratic resolution. In particular, he emphasized the importance of ensuring political voice for both the increasingly influential rural poor and for the established Bangkok elite. How any proposed resolution handles the issue of federalism, the entrenched role of the Bangkok elite, and the establishment and entrenchment of non-partisan political institutions that stand above the fray will be the key issues to watch and will determine the nature and trajectory of Thailand’s democracy going forward, he concluded.

This interview originally appeared at the Diplomat.

About the Author

Vikram Nehru

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Asia Program

Nehru was a nonresident senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program. An expert on development economics, growth, poverty reduction, debt sustainability, governance, and the performance and prospects of East Asia, his research focuses on the economic, political, and strategic issues confronting Asia, particularly Southeast Asia.

    Recent Work

  • In The Media
    Southeast Asia, the Redback, and Reality

      Vikram Nehru

  • In The Media
    Now Comes Aung San Suu Kyi’s True Test of Leadership

      Vikram Nehru

Vikram Nehru
Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Asia Program
Vikram Nehru
Political ReformDemocracySoutheast Asia

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie India

  • REQUIRED IMAGE
    Commentary
    Is U.S. Foreign Policy Too Hostile to China?

    Experts weigh in on whether the United States is too hostile toward China.

      Stephen Wertheim, Evan S. Medeiros, Vijay Gokhale

  • Paper
    India’s Sustained Economic Recovery Will Require Changes to Its Bankruptcy Law

    As India’s economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, Indian businesses need efficient financial structures to regain their ground. Key reforms to India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code could fill these gaps.

      Anirudh Burman

  • Paper
    Cross-Border Data Access for Law Enforcement: What Are India’s Strategic Options?

    Access to cross-border data is an integral piece of the law enforcement puzzle. India is well placed to lead the discussions on international data agreements subject to undertaking necessary surveillance reforms.

      Smriti Parsheera, Prateek Jha

  • Article
    The BRI in Post-Coronavirus South Asia

    After the coronavirus pandemic wanes, how will China’s reorientation of the Belt and Road Initiative to address global health concerns influence its relationships with South Asian countries?

      Deep Pal, Rahul Bhatia

  • Commentary
    India’s Unheeded Coronavirus Warning

    Early in the outbreak, government researchers forecast several high-risk scenarios that were downplayed or ignored in public messaging.

      Gautam I. Menon

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie India
Carnegie India logo, white
Unit C-4, 5, 6, EdenparkShaheed Jeet Singh MargNew Delhi – 110016, IndiaPhone: 011-40078687
  • Research
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie India
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.