You know the way the UK is run by a parliament but has a figurehead monarchy?

Thailand is run by a monarchy and has a figurehead parliament.

That's why they have coups every half-dozen years, why they're the least violent developing nation in Asia, why they're all for free speech unless it involves the king. It's a helluva system - Bhumibol was born in Massachusetts. He studied in Switzerland. He was 19 when his brother the king was assassinated; he switched majors from STEM to poly sci.

The difference between Thailand and North Korea is the godlike dictator of Thailand has been trying pretty hard - for 67 years - to not fuck up his country. Which means he allows democracy and republicanism to thrive... until it starts to destabilize things. Then he says "I think the military should rule" in someone's ear and there's a coup. It's a hell of a system, and a little creepy, but largely successful - kind of like having a democracy with a referee.

Buddy of mine was shooting a feature in Thailand in 2006 when the coup happened. They had to pause shooting for tanks. I bought clothes in a mall that has since been occupied by protesters and firebombed... but it had a Gap and an LA Fitness in it so it's not like we're talking about Myanmar.

And that's the thing to keep in mind about Thailand - we're talking about a country bordered by Cambodia, Laos and Burma. It should be a deep, deep shithole instead of the place that makes your hard drives. Focusing blindly on who's carrying the flag at any particular moment misses the big picture - Thailand has been run by one dude since 1946. Compare and contrast to what GWB did in eight...