Since the introduction of thailand constitutional monarchy in 1932.
the country armed forces have been the most powerful force in thai political life.
Coups that replace elected governments have gained legitimacy as part of the political process.
the monarchy has endorsed all successful coups including one in may 2014 that ousted yingluck shinnawatra
who had won a landslide victory in a general election in 2011
she has subsequently been impeached and baned from politics by the military-appointed parliament with criminal charges brought against her
Ms yingluck is the sister of thaksin shinawatra
who was himself ousted in a coup in 2006 and who is from self-imposed exile in dubai
the power and money behond Ms Yingluck Pheu thai praty
the current prime minister General Prayuth chan-ocha is the 29th since 1932 and the 12th miliary strongman to hold the post
Breaking this cycle will not be easy given thailand political and geographic schisms
the old establishment including chunks of the royalist democrat party
which dominates politice in the south and in western parts of bangkok
welcomes the double coup that ousted the shinawatras as a necessary step of free the country from the grip of a populist authoritarian
Mr rhaksin supporters who hold sway in the populous provinces of the north and north-east of the countey
portray the return to military rule as the last effort of a privileged class to preserve the old order