What this lesson teaches
I can judge how Southeast Asian governments held on to power and what this led to.
Syllabus 9174, Paper 2, Theme I, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the outcomes of Southeast Asian governments in consolidating power in different contexts and over time
Make a guess
Thai military rulers drew legitimacy from royal support. Do you think the king always backed them?
- No, he opposed military rule from 1957 onwards.
- Yes, the king gave his backing to whoever held power.
- No, in 1973 and 1992 he helped end army rule.
Show the answer
No, in 1973 and 1992 he helped end army rule.
In 1973 he backed the students and the military leaders left. In 1992 his intervention ended the crisis.
Monarchy and religion could give governments deep legitimacy, but they could also be used against rulers.
In Thailand, Sarit revived the prestige of the monarchy after 1957, and King Bhumibol became the most respected figure in the country. Military rulers drew legitimacy from royal support.
The Thai king could also restrain rulers. In 1973 he backed the students, and the military leaders left the country. In May 1992 he called the prime minister, General Suchinda, and the protest leader to an audience, which ended the crisis.
In Malaysia, the Malay rulers and Islam were part of the constitution. In the 1980s Mahathir's government promoted Islamic institutions to compete with the Islamic party PAS.
Indonesia's rulers managed religion carefully. Suharto made Pancasila, the state philosophy, the compulsory basis of all organisations by 1985, and he kept political Islam under control.
Religion could also rally opposition. In 1986 Cardinal Sin, the Catholic archbishop of Manila, called people onto the streets to protect the soldiers who had defected from Marcos. In Burma, Buddhist monks joined the protests of 1988.
- Thai monarchy
- Revived under Sarit; key in 1973 and 1992.
- Pancasila
- Compulsory for all organisations by 1985.
- Cardinal Sin
- Rallied People Power in 1986.
Real examples to use
The king's audience, 20 May 1992
After soldiers killed protesters in Bangkok, King Bhumibol summoned General Suchinda and protest leader Chamlong. The audience was televised, and Suchinda resigned days later. At least 52 people had died.
Radio appeal, 22 February 1986
Cardinal Jaime Sin went on Radio Veritas to call Filipinos onto EDSA to protect the soldiers who had defected from Marcos.
Pancasila as the sole basis, 1985
Suharto's laws made every party and mass organisation adopt the state philosophy as its only basis, limiting political Islam.
Worked example: Comparing traditional institutions
How did monarchy and religion affect power?
- Thailand: royal support gave the generals legitimacy and could withdraw it.
- Malaysia: Islam and the Malay rulers anchored UMNO's legitimacy.
- Indonesia: Pancasila kept religion under state control.
- The Philippines: the Church helped topple Marcos.
Watch out for this
Traditional institutions always supported rulers.
They could turn against rulers. The Thai king helped end military rule in 1973 and 1992, and the Catholic Church helped bring down Marcos.
Check your understanding
How did the Thai king help end the crisis of May 1992?
- He took over the government himself until new elections were held.
- He called the prime minister and the protest leader to an audience.
- He led a coup with loyal generals.
Show the answer
He called the prime minister and the protest leader to an audience.
Right. The prime minister soon resigned.