Thailand returns to civilian rule but military influence and fears of instability remain

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s cabinet was on Tuesday sworn in, stacked with loyalists from the junta era

Managing smaller coalition partners who are likely to make significant demands of the ‘junta group’ could test the former general

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Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha after the group photo session with his new cabinet in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:47am, 17 Jul 2019Updated: 8:54pm, 17 Jul 2019

Civilian rule resumed in Thailand on Tuesday, at least nominally, when King Maha Vajiralongkorn formally swore in the cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former coup leader who now leads a coalition of several parties after March’s disputed election.

However, independent political analysts offered a grim outlook for the full restoration of democratic norms even though Prayuth no longer wields the draconian powers he assigned himself after the previous civilian government, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, was toppled in 2014. His so-called Article 44 powers – dubbed the “Dictator Law” in local political circles – expired with the establishment of the new cabinet.

“We have to prepare for the next task that is to present the government policies and create a sense of unity for the country, religion, king, and all of us, the people,” Prayuth told reporters after the investiture ceremony on Tuesday evening. “Many people have high hopes for this government.”

The swearing-in of a cabinet stacked with Prayuth loyalists from the junta era follows nearly four months of political wrangling since the election on March 24.

In its early months the new government is expected to be preoccupied by infighting within the ruling bloc – a coalition of 19 parties that came together as a result of horse trading and the common purpose of keeping the rural-backed Pheu Thai Party – which remains loyal to the Shinawatra clan – out of power.