King Bhumibol Adulyadej presided over Thailand's modernization during 70 years on the throne and was beloved for his dedication to the country's poor. At least twice, he intervened to defuse political crises. But in his final years the octogenarian king allowed himself to be used by the Thai military and other anti-democratic elements in their war against the populist "red shirt" movement of Thaksin Shinawatra.
The generals, led by Prayuth Chan-ocha, in August imposed an authoritarian constitution on the country through a rigged referendum. Now they have responded to the king's death by ordering a year of mourning and instructing all television media to broadcast only state programming.
The United States, which has designated Thailand as a major non-NATO ally and depends on it for naval and counterterrorism cooperation, needs to prepare for this potential trouble in two ways. First, it should begin taking steps to lesson the Pentagon's dependence on the Prayuth regime, so that it will have the freedom to speak out more freely about its violations of human rights, and to use U.S. leverage to press for a transition to genuine democracy.
President Barack Obama's administration should also coordinate with its democratic allies in Asia, such as Indonesia, Japan and Australia, so as to present a joint front if the regime steps up repression.
Editorial on 10/18/2016