The administration of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin was a serious threat to human rights and respect for the rule of law in Thailand. This piece is an analysis of several of his policies and their impact on society’s respect for the rule of law. Is it surprising that corruption abounds in a society where the state has little respect for the rights of its citizens?

Due to the environmental and social damage large hydropower projects are likely to cause, many multi-lateral development banks (the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, etc.) have backed away from financing controversial dam construction. Unfortunately this has not deterred local governments from pursuing these projects, especially with the world’s most prolific dam builder, China, all too eager to step in and capitalize on these opportunities.