Thailand 's history of leadership changes make it an anocratic state . Thailand has been undergoing constant political upheaval since 1993 . Coups d'état and the purchase of political votes are the main causes for Thai political instability . Thailand experienced a period of political liberalization under General Prem Tinsulanonda who was an unelected Prime Minister during the 1980-1988 period . A series of coups ensued soon after . General Suchinda Kraprayoon led a coup against Prime Minister Choonhavan on February 23 , 1991 . After the Black May incident Suchinda was forced to resign and Anand Panyarachun was assigned the position of temporary prime minister . Thaksin Shinawatra won the 2001 elections and became Prime Minister of Thailand ; he won again in 2005 but a coup led by the Thai military deposed Prime Minister Shinawatra in 2006 . After a new constitution was adopted , Samak Sundaravej and his People 's Power Party ( Thailand ) won the election on December 23 , 2007 and Sundaravej became prime minister . However , due to a conflict of interest , Sundaravej was ousted and Somchai Wongsawat was elected as the new prime minister . Shortly after his election , Prime Minister Wongsawat and the PPP was found to be guilty of electoral fraud and Wongsawat lost his position . Abhisit Vejjajiva 's election as the next prime minister was met with opposition by " Red Shirts . " On July 3 , 2011 , Yingluck Shinawatra , belonging to the Pheu Thai Party , was elected as prime minister . Following mass protests in 2013 , Shinawatra was deposed by a military coup led by General Chan-o-cha , who is currently the prime minister
opposition
2010 Thai political protests
Anocracy