4 March 2008: Parliamentary elections on Sunday March 2 brought allies of the ousted Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra to power. The vote was the first since a military coup removed him in 2006.

The military has periodically ruled Thailand since 1947 but had not entered politics for almost two decades. Then in September 2006 the military staged Thailand’s 18th coup while Thaksin was attending the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

The military stepped in amid mass popular protests against the government and the coup leaders said they were removing Thaksin because he was too corrupt. The billionaire Thaksin spent the following 18 months in England after purchasing a British soccer team.

Without firing a single shot, the military quietly assumed control and most Thais came out in support. King Bhumiol, who is highly regarded in Thai society, then recognized the coup leaders as legitimate.

The coup leaders were ultimately forced to accept a constitution and civilian rule. The new constitution was ratified in a referendum and came into force at the end of 2007. It gives the upper house, the Senate, considerably stronger powers to run the government.

This month’s elections for the upper house continued the trend of Thaksin’s allies who gained control after they won last December for the lower house. Thaksin himself is barred from political activities as he is charged with corruption.

Thais chose half of the 150 senators in parliament; under the new constitution 74 are appointed by various commissions and 76 are elected.

The turnout of about 55% was less than the 70% expected likely because the parliamentary vote came too soon after December’s general elections. The ballot also took place days after Thaksin’s emotional return from exile.

The elections were relatively quiet but for a bombing in one of the three southern provinces where the government is fighting a Muslim insurgency.  

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