New Mandala commentators are duly warned.

Those organising Thailand’s prospective 2011 election hope to see no mention of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or his family, in the context of the country’s ongoing political strife. Of course, it still appears that the more effort Thai governments put in to curtailing discussion of the royal institution the more trouble seems to brew. I am yet to be convinced that Thailand’s royalists have fastened their strategic thinking caps. Much of what they do and say seems intent on undermining the very institution they proclaim to uphold.

So does Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, or any of the countless others who use the same rhetoric, really think this style of generic “above politics” proclamation can be effective?

And on the topic of not mentioning the unmentionable this classic from Not the Nation is worth revisiting. This one is also relevant, again.