Democracy and Monarchy in Thailand: Reconciliation or Reckoning?

After a series of back-and-forth color-coded street protests, punctuated by two military coups and two constitutions, so far in the 21st century, Thailand has arrived at a new juncture that appears familiar and yet likely to prove profoundly different. At issue is an ongoing contest over who gets to rule, and how. But this time, the forces of the status quo comprised of the military, monarchy, judiciary, bureaucracy, and "yellow-shirt" columns no longer face the political party machine of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and its "red-shirt" supporters based in rural heartlands. Instead, a broad-based and organic youth movement on a myriad of campuses in high schools and universities across the country are challenging the established centers of power to reform and modernize. At issue is whether a compromise emerges as the dust of conflict thickens. Military coups more than parliamentary solutions determined past outcomes after unworkable tension and turmoil. But this time, a putsch under a new reign may not succeed in clearing the slate for a reset. Thailand is facing an uncharted and precarious frontier. Navigating out of this quagmire requires mutual respect and understanding. The youth movement will need to broaden and appeal to other segments of society and older demographics to reinforce their grievances and demands, pressing for concessions and reforms of traditional institutions rather than upending them. Notwithstanding lip service and foot-dragging on a constitutional overhaul, the incumbent regime and entrenched institutions of the old order must realize that only concessions and compromises can ensure some of their privileges and prerogatives will be maintained.