Thai Students React to Coup Back Home; Opinions Vary
By Paige Smith ‘06
News Staff Reporter
Last month, Thailand underwent drastic political change. The 2006 Thailand coup d’etat was the first coup in Thailand since the one that rocked the country fifteen years ago.
The political crisis began on September 19th, 2006 when the Royal Thai Army seized power from the current government of Prime Minister Thaksin. Thailand was scheduled to hold general elections next month, but with the new situation, the elections have been cancelled, the constitution suspended, and all political activities banned. The United States considers Thailand a major non-NATO ally and has expressed disappointment for a coup that they feel has no justification.
The seven students at Choate who represent our small Thai community have responded in a variety of ways to the events.
In general, most of Choate’s Thai students support the coup. One anonymous student quoted, “I’m glad the coup happened. Most people didn’t like the government. Thaksin and the coup was the only alternative for our country.”
Fourth former Book Horsangchai ’09 feels that the situation in Thailand is pretty peaceful right now. He is not worried about the events and feels the soldiers are acting for the King’s sake. He explained, “The revolution is for the people”, and expressed the safety he feels exists in his country right now.
Fifth former Julie Sophonpanich ’08 from Bankok agreed with Book and explained, “The situation is actually really quiet. To outsiders it may seem like a scary situation with big tanks everywhere, but that’s really not the case.” She continued to explain the curfew that has been imposed on Thai citizens and how things are under good control in her country.
Sixth former Kid Jatusripitak ’07 views the situation differently. He remarked, “I do feel a little bit ashamed that there is still military stuff going on in our country and especially that the new appointed government right now that declared that it will take control for another year before the new election.”
He continued, “Since I have seen the potential of my country through my father who served our country for many years, I am concerned about the future of my country. Many Thais disliked our previous Prime Minister because of some of his actions, but I believe that some Thais became better off and forgot their success too easily. Back then, we were an indebted country, however with the pervious government, we paid all the loans from IMF back in only two years or so and our economy improved drastically.”
Though the Thai students at Choate are not all in agreement about the situation, they all expressed a consensus pride for their country and were glad that there was no bloodshed. They are glad that problems are getting worked out and are hopeful for the future of Thailand.
