Nepal shares much with Thailand. Neither was colonised by European powers. In both places, unique courtly rituals and religious practices have thrived. Thai Buddhism is an effortless synthesis of aspects of Hinduism, a mirror image to faith in Nepal. And then there's royalty: once both countries had well-regarded constitutional monarchies. Now-with even Nepali banknotes ready to see the last of Gyanendra Shah-only the Thai royal dynasty has the respect of most citizens.

That situation may be changing rapidly. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is a popular, even beloved, head of state. But the military coup in Thailand last year that dislodged Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatara has so far been a political, public relations, and economic disaster. Thais know King Bhumibol gave the takeover his tacit support. Some even say his court encouraged the generals to step in to what was admittedly a messy, corrupt, and increasingly unstable situation.

In the past, the Thai king had been renowned for staving off military takeovers, or condemning army brutality against protestors. Back in the days when only military strongmen could run Thailand, the king occasionally mediated between opposing camps of putative dictators. Like Tribhuban in Nepal, King Bhumibol is also credited with helping establish the democratic system that has since been wiped out in Thailand.

Other eerie parallels abound. The Crown Prince of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, has long been seen as a wayward, thuggish womaniser, although he's apparently burnishing his image as his father grows frailer. The same Thai public that loves Bhumibol is troubled by the prospect of his son ascending the throne. Of course, Thais have to keep these fears to themselves as strict lese majeste laws punish perceived insults to the Crown with heavy fines and jail terms. Here's one area where Nepal never got so absurd over monarchy.

So what about this new government in Bangkok? Has it managed to make the trains run on time? Fascism is supposed to be good at such things. Alas, it seems that the corrupt and crazy democrats actually ran the country more adroitly than the generals and palace placemen currently in cabinet. Thailand is a mess and all the new ministers can do is look for external sources to blame.

Remember how Gyanendra's governments went after the press and human rights groups? So too Thailand's coup leaders. They're reportedly looking at how to extend lese majeste to cover criticism of the authorities in general, not just the royals. And they've found a foreign hand as well. It's. wait for it. Singapore! That's right. A tiny city-state of 4.5 million people threatens a regional power with 15 times the population and a far bigger military.

What's also becoming increasingly obvious in Thailand is that the rural and urban poor are at odds with a traditional elite and new business classes in the capital. Corrupt and capricious as he was, the ousted prime minister was a raging populist who retains the support of the countryside. In city salons and counting rooms, they sing the praises of monarchy and military takeover. There's growing inequality and frustration.

It all sounds depressingly familiar to anyone who's lived through the agonies of recent history here. None of this suggests that the Thais will go through the same travails as Nepal. But their country faces an uncertain future where the sureties of monarchy and centuries of tradition may no longer be enough to keep fear and despair at bay.

Nepal knows that feeling only too well.