Thaksinocracy
Encyclopedia
Thaksinocracy is the term created by Dr. Teerayut Bunmee
from the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University
, one of the critics of Thaksin Shinawatra
. Thaksinocracy is the portmanteau of the terms Thaksin and Democracy
.
Thaksinocracy has the following characteristics:
The term "Thaksinocracy" is used to describe Thaksin's government which, by opponents, was alleged to be full of conflicts of interests, double standards, biases and corruption.
For the people who support Thaksin Shinawatra, the term "Thaksinocracy" is an insult. They believe that the people who are using it are only "jealous" of the successes of Thaksin compared to his predecessors. For example: in the case of Abhisit Vejjajiva
, the leader of Democratic Party who used this term often, Thaksin supporters always tease him with the word “Rabob Abhisit” or “Abisitocracy”. They believed that Abhisit is far less talented and experienced than Thaksin. In the case of another critic, Sondhi Limthongkul
, they also tease him with “Rabob Sonthi” or “Sonthiocracy”.
However, for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
, the meaning of Rabob Thaksin or Thaksinocracy has a much more complicated meaning and content rather than just an insult word towards Thaksin.
One of the PAD
's goals when it was formed was to eliminate Thaksinocracy in Thailand.
Professor Kaewsant Adhipothi mentioned in his book “Stop Thaksinocracy” that there are five goals of Thaksinocracy:
Teerayut Bunmee
Teerayut Bunmee is a Thai public intellectual and a former student activist.-Student leader:While a student at Chulalongkorn University during 1973, Teerayut led the National Student Center of Thailand in coordinating political activism against the military dictatorships of Thanom Kittikachorn and...
from the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
, one of the critics of Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
. Thaksinocracy is the portmanteau of the terms Thaksin and Democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
.
Thaksinocracy has the following characteristics:
- Vote buying
- Cronyism and Nepotism
- A double standard and biased judiciary
- Populism
- Conflicts of interests
- Tax evasion
The term "Thaksinocracy" is used to describe Thaksin's government which, by opponents, was alleged to be full of conflicts of interests, double standards, biases and corruption.
For the people who support Thaksin Shinawatra, the term "Thaksinocracy" is an insult. They believe that the people who are using it are only "jealous" of the successes of Thaksin compared to his predecessors. For example: in the case of Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
, the leader of Democratic Party who used this term often, Thaksin supporters always tease him with the word “Rabob Abhisit” or “Abisitocracy”. They believed that Abhisit is far less talented and experienced than Thaksin. In the case of another critic, Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
, they also tease him with “Rabob Sonthi” or “Sonthiocracy”.
However, for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
People's Alliance for Democracy
The People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
, the meaning of Rabob Thaksin or Thaksinocracy has a much more complicated meaning and content rather than just an insult word towards Thaksin.
One of the PAD
People's Alliance for Democracy
The People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
's goals when it was formed was to eliminate Thaksinocracy in Thailand.
Professor Kaewsant Adhipothi mentioned in his book “Stop Thaksinocracy” that there are five goals of Thaksinocracy:
- Amend the Constitution
- Control the institutions
- Emphasize Nationalism and Materialism
- Allow political corruption
- End peace and justice of Thailand