As momentum towards the next general election gathers pace, the two main myths that underpinned Thailand's most recent military coup in May 2014 deserve debunking. Both are associated with the military's role in politics. Seeing through these two perpetuated myths leaves us with the reality that all players in Thai politics are in pursuit of power and vested interests. All pretence to the contrary is sheer falsehood, hypocrisy and political manipulation.
The first myth emanates from what might be viewed as the Thai military's self-proclaimed benevolent brokerage of peace and stability. The coup-making generals, led by current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, have used this pretext of necessary and benign intervention as their default claim to power.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak teaches International Relations and directs the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University.
