King of Thailand who staged a coup in Thailand by those opposing the government of Thaksin Shinawatra in September, 2006, and appointed Surayud Chulanont as Prime Minister.
The newly appointed Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Pridiyathorn Devakula, announced that the Thai focus will be on self-sufficient economy.
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej, adored by Thais, and the 60 years on the throne has provided the country with a sense of security and continuity. As a corollary though people often worry about what will happen when he disappears from the scene. One of the reasons for the army takeover with the King as its head was rampant corruption, when Shinawatra was the Prime Minister.
The situation in Thailand, however, continues to be nebulous, the people are fed up with the army rule and desire an early return to the democratic civilian government. In Dec. 2007.elections Shinawatra’s party, People Power Party, won the elections, though he himself is living in exile in London. Shinawatra’s People’s Power Party holds the key to govt, formation in Thailand.
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The 82 years old Thai monarch is now showing his age and is no longer in complete control of developments in Thailand. The former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra continues to be extremely popular especially in the North. His followers occasionally hold entire country to ransom.
He was granted asylum by the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Nov 09 who appointed Shinawatra as his chief Economic Advisor. Bhumibol’s son does not enjoy the same charisma and there is a strong possibility that the royal princess could succeed the throne after his death.