THAILAND’S AUTHORITARIANISM IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE: Sophisticated or retrograde?

Abstract

Focusing on the apparent paradox of Thai politics—where frequent elections coexist with deep-seated military and royal dominance—this chapter evaluates the state’s political trajectory through the lens of comparative authoritarianism. The investigation contrasts “sophisticated authoritarianism”, which adopts the outward manifestations and institutions of democracy to maintain control, with “retrograde authoritarianism”, which relies on overt repression. By applying a measurement framework to assess how Thailand balances these two strategies, the author explores how the state has navigated its post-2014 landscape, using legal manoeuvring, surveillance, and online information operations to hobble opposition while projecting a façade of electoral legitimacy. At the heart of this analysis is the contention that Thailand’s democratic “appearance” is increasingly a strategic choice designed to minimise international friction and domestic resistance. The study demonstrates that while the regime retains the trappings of a competitive system, the playing field remains structurally skewed against reformist forces. The Thai state has become adept at utilising the language and procedures of democracy to shield an authoritarian core, leading to a hybrid environment where the “sophistication” of repressive techniques poses a more nuanced, yet equally resilient, challenge to democratic consolidation than the crude authoritarianism of the past. Show more