The Military and the Political Roles of the “Eastern Tigers” Military Fraction in 1981-2011 A.D.

Abstract

After the military coup d’état against Thaksin Shinawatra’s government in September 2006, some military officers from the Second Infantry Division, the Queen’s Guard, commonly known as “The Eastern Tigers” military fraction, have become such important force contributing to the success of aforesaid coup. Since then, the Eastern Tigers has been considered to have an influence over the Royal Thai Army and Thai politics. This article aimed to study the roles of the Eastern Tigers in the last three decades; 1981-2011. The study has indicated that the vital roles of the pack were influenced by these three factors: 1) A shift in the balance of power within the First Army Region, 2) changes in politics, and 3) border security. These factors have encouraged the roles of the military fraction to be an influence in Thai politics as well as the determination of security policies in Thailand.