Structural and Sociocultural Determinants of Military Authoritarianism in Thailand

Abstract

Military authoritarianism has persisted in Thailand despite repeated attempts at democratic transition, yet the structural and sociocultural conditions underlying this persistence remain insufficiently examined. This study aims to examine the structural and sociocultural factors that contribute to the persistence of military authoritarianism in Thailand. A qualitative approach was employed, combining document analysis of official documents and archival materials with in-depth interviews with 20 key informants, including political scientists, politicians, military officers, legal scholars, and civil society actors. Data were analyzed using grounded theory procedures for systematic category development and phenomenological reflection for experiential interpretation, with triangulation across documentary and interview data to enhance credibility. The study uncovers three principal factors sustaining military authoritarianism. First, long years of deep political polarization have curtailed the ability of democratic institutions to manage conflict, creating persistent governance vacuums in which the military positions itself as a neutral arbiter. Second, the absence of credible conflict-resolution mechanisms and the deteriorating legitimacy of constitutional, parliamentary, and oversight institutions have undermined public trust, enabling extra-constitutional intervention under the guise of emergency circumstances. Third, the state's framing of national security narratives—reinforced by entrenched nationalist sentiments—allows the military to rationalize its political dominance by characterizing dissent, reform movements, or democratic mobilization as threats to national unity. These three factors operate as a mutually reinforcing structural cycle in which civilian authority is fragile, public trust in democratic processes is undermined, and opportunities for military reassertion persist. In conclusion, the findings confirm that the persistence of military authoritarianism in Thailand is not contingent upon any single political event but rather reflects the long arc of embedded institutional failings and socio-political and cultural forces.