Former Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently marked the twentieth anniversary of the 2006 military coup that ousted the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. Reflecting on his personal experience as a government official during the takeover, Phumtham argued that the intervention caused significant long-term damage to Thailand, including lost economic opportunities, political instability, and a cycle of constitutional revisions. While he criticized the use of extra-constitutional power to resolve political disputes, he also emphasized that electoral success does not grant leaders absolute authority. He advocated for a democratic system defined by robust checks and balances, public accountability, and the protection of minority rights. As Thailand moves toward a new constitutional drafting process backed by millions of citizens, Phumtham urged the nation to learn from two decades of turmoil to ensure future political continuity and stability.
Source : Thai Examiner
