Thailand’s economic growth slowed in the third quarter, data released Monday showed, with the nation plunged into mourning following the death of its long-serving King Bhumibol Adulyadej. High household debt, weakening exports, slumping foreign investment and low consumer confidence have cramped growth in what for years was Southeast Asia’s flagship economy.
Thailand’s political history is marked with military coups that occur with almost predictable regularity. Every time the government faces a serious crisis it seems a few opportunistic army officers see fit to step forward and declare that they are in charge. What Thailand really needs is constitutional reform that will shift power to the hands of the people. The answer lies in a semi-presidential system with a Parliament and key officials who must face election at frequent intervals. Elections and referendums should be patterned after the examples of Switzerland and the US state of California to give the people real power in government. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development for more details.
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