History of Thailand (1973–2001)

Late 20th-century Thailand
Late 20th-century Thailand
14 October 1973 – 6 January 2001
	Crowds rallying at the Democracy Monument during the 14 October 1973 uprising
Monarch(s)	Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Leader(s)	Sanya Dharmasakti; Seni Pramoj; Kukrit Pramoj; Thanin Kraivichien; Kriangsak Chamanan; Prem Tinsulanonda; Chatichai Choonhavan; Anand Panyarachun; Suchinda Kraprayoon; Chuan Leekpai; Banharn Silpa-archa; Chavalit Yongchaiyudh;
Key events	14 October uprising; October 1976 massacre; October 1976 coup; March 1977 coup attempt; October 1977 coup; Vietnamese border raids; 1981 coup attempt; 1985 coup attempt; 1991 coup; National Peace Keeping Council; Black May; 1997 financial crisis;
Early 20th century	21st century

The history of Thailand from 1973 to 2001 saw an unstable period of democracy, with military rule being reimposed after a bloody coup in 1976. (The previous military rulers had been removed, as a result of the revolution of 14 October 1973.)

For most of the 1980s, Thailand was ruled by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda, a democratically inclined strongman who restored parliamentary politics. Thereafter the country remained a democracy apart from a brief period of military rule from 1991 to 1992.

Between 1985 and 1994, Thailand was the world's fastest growing economy according to the World Bank. Foreign investment primarily from Japan turned Thailand into a manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia by the end of the century.

The 1997 Asian financial crisis culminated in populist Thaksin Shinawatra's victory in the 2001 Thai general election.