The great power game and Thai military rule

There are a variety of suggestions trying to explain why the Thai military decided, in 2006, to stage the 18th coup in 75 years. Some point to corruption and declining growth and investment rates, others to the security problems in the South. A third explanation has tried to relate the coup to the role of the Privy Council and King Bhumipol Adulyadej, and not least the unresolved question about succession which essentially can be viewed in the context of power politics. The King is 80 years old and in poor health and this raises the question who is going to become the next king and subsequently, who is going to preside over the informal - and indeed formal - institutional influence of the monarchy on the future of Thai politics and economics?  These questions are of great importance as they refer to some of the most common explanations of the re-entrance of Thai military rule. This paper adds an additional international dimension to the coup and especially point to the geopolitical role and influence of the US and China which has had a significant impact on King Bhumipol and the Privy Council's support to the coup.