Part 7/12:
In 2016, the military government introduced a new constitution, which critics condemned as a tool to prolong military dominance under the guise of constitutional legality. This charter notably allowed the military to appoint 250 senators and enabled the legislature to select a non-elected prime minister, thereby maintaining substantial influence over future governments.
A national referendum in 2016 approved this constitution with 61% support; however, allegations of coercion marred the process. The military-controlled media and campaign machinery strangled opposition voices—warning that rejection could keep the junta in power indefinitely. International observers criticized the process as neither free nor fair, underscoring Thailand’s slide into a hybrid authoritarian democracy.