SEVEN The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain
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Wasin Punthong
Abstract
The military has historically been the key political player in Thai politics and public policy. This chapter examines the role of the military in the analysis of three non-military policy domains including internal security, rural development and telecommunications policies. It shows that the military has become embedded in these policy domains through various institutional channels usually created after the coup. The military’s influence on the internal security policy analysis has made it a veto player, while its interference in telecommunications policy analysis involves huge economic benefits. Concurrently, the military’s involvement in the rural development policy analysis has continued in the post-Cold War context. With a series of post-coup political interventions, the chapter analyses that the military has utilised rural development policy as a channel to manipulate civilian grassroots population. With an active role in these policy activities, the chapter also illustrates how the military’s political influence is far from limited.
Abstract
The military has historically been the key political player in Thai politics and public policy. This chapter examines the role of the military in the analysis of three non-military policy domains including internal security, rural development and telecommunications policies. It shows that the military has become embedded in these policy domains through various institutional channels usually created after the coup. The military’s influence on the internal security policy analysis has made it a veto player, while its interference in telecommunications policy analysis involves huge economic benefits. Concurrently, the military’s involvement in the rural development policy analysis has continued in the post-Cold War context. With a series of post-coup political interventions, the chapter analyses that the military has utilised rural development policy as a channel to manipulate civilian grassroots population. With an active role in these policy activities, the chapter also illustrates how the military’s political influence is far from limited.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
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History, styles and methods of policy analysis in Thailand
- History and styles of policy analysis in Thailand 11
- Methods of policy analysis in Thailand: bureaucratic, managerial, academic and participatory orientations 28
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Policy analysis within executive government
- Policy analysis in central government 49
- Policy analysis in Thai local governments 67
- Collaboration, networks and policy analysis in Thailand 88
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Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Monarchy and Thai meta-policy: the early years of Rama X’s reign 107
- The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain 137
- Parliamentary committees, legislative supporting agencies and policy advice 155
- The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis 170
- Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand 186
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Political parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Political parties and policy analysis 203
- Business associations and policy analysis 219
- The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis 230
- The influence of Thailand’s social movements on policy analysis 248
-
Policy analysis education and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Thailand 273
- Non-traditional policy studies in Thailand 286
- Policy research in academic institutions 303
- Transition and prospects of Thai policy analysis 320
- Index 337
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles and methods of policy analysis in Thailand
- History and styles of policy analysis in Thailand 11
- Methods of policy analysis in Thailand: bureaucratic, managerial, academic and participatory orientations 28
-
Policy analysis within executive government
- Policy analysis in central government 49
- Policy analysis in Thai local governments 67
- Collaboration, networks and policy analysis in Thailand 88
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Monarchy and Thai meta-policy: the early years of Rama X’s reign 107
- The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain 137
- Parliamentary committees, legislative supporting agencies and policy advice 155
- The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis 170
- Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand 186
-
Political parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Political parties and policy analysis 203
- Business associations and policy analysis 219
- The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis 230
- The influence of Thailand’s social movements on policy analysis 248
-
Policy analysis education and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Thailand 273
- Non-traditional policy studies in Thailand 286
- Policy research in academic institutions 303
- Transition and prospects of Thai policy analysis 320
- Index 337
