The years between 2001 and 2011 saw considerable political instability in
Thailand, with seven governments, fi ve general elections and one coup d’état.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party initiated
the UCS after the January 2001 election; he served two terms: 2001-2004 and
2005-2006. Prime Minister Thaksin was overthrown in the September
2006 coup, and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont served from October
2006 to January 2008. In the December 2007 general election, the Palang
Prachachon Party or People’s Power Party (PPP) — the reincarnation
of TRT* — won a majority; however, a coalition government led by
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej lasted just nine months (January to
September 2008), followed by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat of
the PPP, who held power only until the end of the year (September to
December 2008). Following a court judgement that led to the dissolution
of PPP and suspension of some PPP MPs, and a shift in the allegiance of
some medium to small coalition parties, the opposition leader Abhisit
Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party gained majority support and formed a new
government. Prime Minister Abhisit served from December 2008 to August
2011, when the Democrats lost the July 2011 election to the Pheu Thai Party
(another reincarnation of TRT) led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra,
the younger sister of Thaksin.