Thailand’s Deep State and Democratic Backsliding: Extra-Constitutional Power in Post-Election Governanc

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of “post-election politics without real electoral governance” in Thailand, which reflects a persistent structural crisis of Thai democracy. Although elections formally exist as a source of political legitimacy, real power often remains outside the electoral arena. This study employs the concept of the “Deep State” as an analytical framework to explain the continuity of extra-constitutional power structures that have persisted after repeated military coups. The study investigates the mechanisms through which the Deep State intervenes in elected governments, including constitutional engineering, the political role of independent agencies, judicialization of politics (lawfare), and recurring military interventions justified in the name of national security and social order. The findings reveal that Thailand’s Deep State is not merely an abstract network of influence but a concrete institutional structure linking the military, high-level bureaucracy, the judiciary, and economic elites. These interconnected institutions significantly constrain the authority of elected governments. As a result, Thai democracy remains trapped in a condition of “restricted democracy,” characterized by weak institutional accountability, recurring cycles of political violence, and a fragile rule of law.The article argues that dismantling the power of the Deep State requires comprehensive structural reforms, particularly in constitutional design, civil–military relations, judicial accountability, and the promotion of a democratic political culture based on transparency and public oversight. Only through such reforms can Thai democracy be restored to reflect the genuine political will of the people and achieve long-term democratic stability.