Thailand
Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932, after making
the transition from an absolute monarchy. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (the ninth
Rama in the Chakri dynasty) has been king since 1946 and continues to enjoy
great respect throughout the country. During the Second World War Thailand
was an ally of the Axis, but switched sides towards the close of the war.
A general election on 17 November re-sulted in the defeat of the government
of Banharn Silpa-Archa. The new prime minister, Chaovalit Yongchaiyut, and
his New Aspiration Party (NAP) edged out the Democrat Party (DP) by a narrow
two-seat margin, forming a coalition including five other parties (National
Development Party, Social Action Party, Thai Citizens' Party, Seritham,
Mass Party) and achieving control of 221 seats in the 393-seat house of
representatives.
Prime Minister Chaovalit indicated to a forum in Bangkok in January that
he hoped that border disputes with Malaysia could be worked out so that
the south could be developed and other regional projects could begin in
a secure environment.
The year 1996 marked the end of the Seventh Plan (or economic blueprint)
for the country. Targets included a growth rate of 8.2 per cent and inflation
of a maximum of 5.6 per cent. Results achieved were promising, with actual
growth approximating 8.6 per cent; but general analysis of the economy had
predicted much lower actual results. The stock market also greeted the election
results pessimistically, with values dropping 6 per cent on election day.
Although small in numbers, the Muslim separatist movement Pattani United Liberation Front (PULO) in the south of the country is influenced by pro-Iranian Islamists who have been increasingly active in the region in recent years. There is no evidence that the separatist movement displays antisemitic sentiments.
There have been incidents in the past involving the painting and display
of swastikas and other Nazi symbols on buildings and shops. However, the
culprits rarely understand the significance of the symbolism and often treat
them as trendy symbols rather than explicit expressions of antisemitism.
The conviction in July of an Iranian for the attempted 1994 bombing of the
Israeli embassy (see LEGAL MATTERS) caused no discernible rise in antisemitic
incidents or demonstrations.
On 17 July an Iranian, Hussein Shahrisritar, was found guilty of the
murder of Chom Pila, a Thai truck driver, and of plotting to blow up the
Israeli embassy in March 1994. In addition to the charges of premeditated
murder, Shahrisritar was also found guilty of armed robbery, illegal possession
of firearms and explosives, being a mobster, smuggling weapons into the
country, plotting to sabotage the interests of a foreign power and hiding
a corpse.
Shahrisritar was arrested by Thai police in the southern province of Songkhla
in June 1994 after entering the country through Malaysia. Two other Iranians
arrested with him were released because of lack of evidence. The death sentence
was passed on Shahrisritar. He is now being held at Bang Khwang maximum
security prison in Nonthaburi.
Manifestations of antisemitism in Thailand have been very limited and
when they do occur they are usually the result of ignorance of Nazi symbolism.
Anti-Zionism and its possible effect on antisemitism are more serious, as
in the attempted bombing of and demonstration outside the Israeli embassy
in Bangkok during 1995. Nevertheless, the bombing could have been the result
of Iranian agents operating in Thailand, and thus have little connection
to antisemitism in the country.
© JPR 1997