Acharn Thitinan Pongsudhirak’s ‘Thailand Since the Coup’ falls somewhere between journalism and history.  For those who have been too far away from events to keep track of the twists and turns, and for those who simply couldn’t keep up, it provides a useful overview.  Undoubtedly, in this paralyzingly divided political scene, his analysis will be criticized by all sides. (At least, one hopes it will be criticized rather than condemned out of hand as seems to happen all too often these days.)  But the article’s real value comes when it turns from analysis of the past to considerations of the future.  Far too much has been going on behind the scenes for a clear analysis of recent events to emerge.  But when we turn to the future, things are much worse.  There is an elephant in the room that everyone studiously tries to ignore – what happens in the succession to the throne?  It is both unusual, and brave, for a Thai scholar to broach this topic openly.  Some will doubtless challenge his views; many will simply be appalled that he has expressed them.  But thank goodness that someone has dared to start the discussion.

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