The Role of the Wongthewan Military Group in Thai Politics in Changing the Balance of Power in the Military

Abstract

     This article presents the issue of the role of the Wongthewan military group in Thai politics in changing the balance of power in the military. From the relationship of the military in forming a tight group, it plays a role in Thai politics. Since the change of government in 1932 onwards, military groups are important organizations in changing governance. The People's Party, which consists of the military and civilians do not give other political groups a chance to participate on official political role, including the role of ruler, ruler support group and ruler power group, especially the Wongthewan military group which is an army soldier serving in official army in the first infantry division, which its military unit based in Bangkok. It plays a very important role in stability and often monopolizes the position of Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army which played an important role in many coup d’etat as an important component and playing a high role which always played a part in determining the possibility of Thai political society. It is considered that the role of the military has entered Thai society at a deep roots level. Many foundations have been laid for soldiers to widely integrate into various mechanisms of society to the point of being unable to separate the military from politics. Consequently, it has become a criticism of the military's high role in politics.