Thailand, once a poster child for democracy and freedom in turbulent Southeast Asia, has careened over the past two years from one image disaster to the next.
First a military coup. Then revelations of slaves in the seafood industry and other human trafficking horrors. In August, a deadly bomb struck central Bangkok. And now, the United States has declared Thailand's aviation industry unsafe, striking at the heart of one of its biggest success stories, tourism.
Like the repeated scandals over Thailand's role in human trafficking, the safety downgrade revealed years of official neglect and complicity. The stiff generals who seized power last year vowed to clean up a misruled Thailand after a decade of political upheaval. But as problems mount on the junta's watch, their ability to rule effectively is increasingly in doubt.
"Thailand is used to having a great image in the world. Thai food, fun people, smiles and a fairytale monarchy," said Michael Montesano a Thailand expert at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. "That image is fading and it's not clear what the image will be in the future."
During the 18 months the generals have been in charge, Thailand has changed in ways that might not be apparent at tourist sites or Bangkok's trendy restaurants. A promise of quick elections has been put on hold. There is less freedom and more fear. Full story...
Related posts:
First a military coup. Then revelations of slaves in the seafood industry and other human trafficking horrors. In August, a deadly bomb struck central Bangkok. And now, the United States has declared Thailand's aviation industry unsafe, striking at the heart of one of its biggest success stories, tourism.
Like the repeated scandals over Thailand's role in human trafficking, the safety downgrade revealed years of official neglect and complicity. The stiff generals who seized power last year vowed to clean up a misruled Thailand after a decade of political upheaval. But as problems mount on the junta's watch, their ability to rule effectively is increasingly in doubt.
"Thailand is used to having a great image in the world. Thai food, fun people, smiles and a fairytale monarchy," said Michael Montesano a Thailand expert at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. "That image is fading and it's not clear what the image will be in the future."
During the 18 months the generals have been in charge, Thailand has changed in ways that might not be apparent at tourist sites or Bangkok's trendy restaurants. A promise of quick elections has been put on hold. There is less freedom and more fear. Full story...
Related posts:
- Thailand's junta shuts public's ears to bad news...
- Thailand mystery: 2 detainees suspected of insulting monarchy die in custody...
- Thailand and the daily travail of human trafficking...
- Thai fishing industry turns to trafficking: 'We witnessed girls being raped...
- Revealed: how the Thai fishing industry trafficks, imprisons and enslaves...
- Sold for ransom: On the trail of Thailand's human traffickers...
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