A creeping military regime gets 'creepier every day' | Bangkok Post: opinion

In the aftermath of the bloodless coup d'etat of Sept 19, 2006, many people _ politicians, academics, and even the military _ came to the realisation that a coup may not have been the best solution to resolve a political conflict.

Sawasdee Big Brother: Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha (left) and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva greet each other.

Initially, the coup generated a feeling of relief among the public, but in time it became part of the problem, and even worsened it. The technocratic government of Gen Surayud Chulanont was ineffective in managing the affairs of state, as public pressure for a return to democracy grew. International disdain for a coup-installed government was also a major obstacle.