That’s the question Joshua Kurlantzick asks on the Council on Foreign Relations’ Asia Unbound blog. The post begins:
In the run up to Thailand’s national elections on July 3, most U.S. officials have said very little about the country and its poll…
And continues:
Unlike in 2006, the U.S. cannot this time even tacitly tolerate a coup, since the Thai military already has shown, in 2006 and 2007, that a coup will only set back the country’s economy and democratic progress badly…
And adds:
What’s more, the administration should be prepared to warn Puea Thai, as well, if it wins the election and immediately tries to use a mandate to launch its own cycle of recriminations against the judges, bureaucrats, and army officers it believes have made life tough for Thaksin supporters over the past five years…