• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "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
Program mobile hero image

Program

Asia

The Asia Program in Washington studies disruptive security, governance, and technological risks that threaten peace, growth, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, including a focus on China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

Learn More

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 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 Endowment for International Peace

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Taking the Pulse: Are Western Democracies Failing Free Speech?

    The battle over free speech has taken center stage since U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Europe of censorship. From travel bans to social media regulation, especially around the Israel-Palestine conflict, are liberal democratic governments weaponizing free speech?

      • Rym Momtaz

      Rym Momtaz, ed.

  • Capitol Police and MPD used physical force and tear gas to force the Trump supporters further away from the U.S Capitol, on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC.
    Commentary
    Political Violence in the U.S.

    What is political violence and what works to reduce it.

      Political Violence Researchers, Rachel Kleinfeld, ed., Dalya Berkowitz, ed.

  • Pashinyan shaking hands
    Commentary
    Emissary
    At Stake in Armenia’s Election: Peace and Russian Influence

    Regardless of the outcome, there’s another path to ensuring that progress doesn’t stall.

      Zaur Shiriyev

  • Europe flags citizens demonstration
    Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    EU Enlargement Forgets Europeans

    Preparing candidate countries for EU membership is no longer enough. As the enlargement process becomes a reality, the union must also prepare its own societies.

      Iliriana Gjoni

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Taking the Pulse: Was it Right to Boycott Eurovision?

    Five countries staged the biggest political boycott in Eurovision history over Israel’s participation. With the FIFA World Cup and other sporting or cultural touchstones on the horizon, are boycotts effective?

      • Rym Momtaz

      Rym Momtaz, ed.

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.