Thais look for democratic silver lining in coup

BANGKOK, Sep 20 (Reuters) Officially democratic since 1932, Thailand has been through coups before -- 17 to be precise.

But this time, the army's motives do not appear to be entirely self-serving, causing analysts and ordinary people to hope for a silver lining in an event likely to shake the southeast Asian nation's image as the ''Land of Smiles''.

''This coup will be different from previous coups,'' said Somchai Pakapatwiwat of Bangkok's Thammasat University.

''Before, it was done in the interests of the military. This time, it was a necessary pre-emptive strike given the violent polarisation of Thai society. Thaksin has made economic progress, but at the expense of democracy.'' Army chief and putsch leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he would bow out in two weeks after appointing a new prime minister, but conceded it would take a year to draw up a new constitution and hold fresh elections.

In a special ''Coup Update'' edition, the Nation said he had to act fast or goodwill would quickly evaporate from Thais who have not seen tanks on the streets of their capital for 15 years.

''The world is watching, and scrutinising,'' the paper said.

''The perception that this is something done in good faith will be extremely fragile.'' Nevertheless, many people in Bangkok welcomed the army's intervention as the only way out of nearly a year of political strife and stalemate.

''It's about time this happened. It's been a mess for a long time,'' said motorcycle taxi driver Somsak Khanok, 33.

''DEMOCRACY USURPED'' With its reputation for Buddhist harmony, Thailand has struggled with the seemingly intractable crisis swirling around Thaksin, a mega-rich telecoms tycoon whose no-nonsense, CEO-style leadership has created friends and enemies in equal measure.

With unwavering support since his first election landslide in 2001 from the rural masses who benefited from his political largesse, Thaksin argued he was the true guardian of democracy and said voters should be allowed to decide his fate.

His opponents, however, accused him of using his massive majority to subvert democratic checks and balances and build an unassailable base from which to benefit his family and friends in big business.

''This is a setback for Thai democracy, there is no question about it,'' said Titinan Pongsudhirak of Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

''But you also have to understand the nature of democracy in Thailand. We had a very bizarre democracy, a usurped democracy, a manipulated democracy.'' REUTERS SSC VV1617