The Thai king’s son has called for open discussion of the country’s tough laws against insulting the royal family, a sensitive topic that has seen hundreds of people prosecuted in recent years.
Thailand’s monarchy is protected by one of the world’s toughest defamation laws, making any criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the royal household very risky inside the country.
Thailand’s king has visited prisons, sweeping floors alongside his official consort in the latest round of a charm offensive following unprecedented criticism of the monarchy during street protests.
Pictures of coffins and guns, and threats of death and violence: protests targeting Thailand’s government and monarchy have hardened feelings amongst ultra-royalists, who are pushing back with aggressive abuse online.
Thailand delayed on Monday its $724 million purchase of two submarines from China, following public outrage over the controversial deal as the kingdom’s economy flatlines due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Thailand’s powerful army chief on Wednesday told cadets that the “hatred of the nation” plaguing the country was a bigger threat than the coronavirus, as a nascent pro-democracy movement grows bolder.
Royal motorcades will no longer completely shut down Bangkok’s roads, a rare concession by the unassailable Thai king to public opinion.
Thailand’s newly-crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn was carried by soldiers on a gilded palanquin through the streets of Bangkok Sunday, in front of crowds who craned to witness the historic event.
Thailand’s Queen Suthida, the former deputy head of the royal bodyguard, made her first official public appearance Thursday at the side of Rama X, just days before his coronation.
Coups, war, communist insurgency, violent protests, succession.
