Thai junta deepens repression amid king's challenge

Significance

Interim Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha's government has already retained power for twice the length of the usual time between a coup and return to elected government, compared to recent military regimes (1991-92 and 2006-07). If elections are held in late 2018 as currently planned, it will be three times that length.

Impacts

• Foreign social media firms such as Facebook will likely slow plans to expand their Thai operations.
• Bangkok will do what it can to keep both Washington and Beijing on side.
• Restrictions on the activities of journalists and rights activists are tightening.