Ubolratana gave up her “chao fa” title when she married an American. It was never officially restored even after her divorce. Probably not an issue, though. A new king could bestow her any title he wants, presumably.
Prayuth is a loyal idiot, delusional that he is the savior of all things good in Thailand. He isn’t capable of being a mastermind to anything, only a pawn. Prem has lost power because he has nothing to offer that Prayuth doesn’t already have.
[…] Michael was in Cambodia in 2013 as part of the University of Sydney’s Greater Angkor Project. For more on Michael’s work and research you can follow him on twitter or read more of his work on https://sydney.academia.edu/MichaelPaulLeadbetter. If you enjoyed this article you can read another by him on Filipino culture and Singapore. […]
I don’t think Prem would be Regent now unless his outfit had the numbers. Prayut and the Prince are toast. It’s only a matter of time before Princess Angel is on the throne and pardons most of the people whom the wicked Prayut has imprisoned. Thailand can be kept much safer from democracy that way than if the wicked Prince is crowned.
Frankie Leung – civil war is an appalling prospect, anywhere – and can hopefully be avoided. Best outcome would be a “more liberally-minded military”. Some of the best governments Thailand has ever had were those of the 1990’s, beginning with Anand’s. But this time, they would need to do something really serious about de-centralisation, instead of only talking about it.
allow me to explain to your misunderstanding concept of thailand monach system and political system, thailand king is not related to politic , by law , similar to western the different of church and state must be separate completely…our king is work for all people as he is the father of all the people , that why we can die for him, this is the system in thailand not the same as any one else…westerner must adopt this culture and it is our inside business only.
Nongkhai is the hometown of Pramote Nakornthab, the author of the “Finland Plot”, “Finland Strategy”, that appeared in the Manager, Sondhi’s newspaper. He is the founder of the first international college over there.
Ah, so subterfuge, false names and email addresses, hiding behind a VPN (I think I know what that is, nut no idea how to do it). Yes, silly me, naive me. Thank you for the advice. You have almost perfectly summed up the situation of living under a military government determined to ensure ‘right thinking’ on anything to do with the government or the monarchy. These last two words gives the game away: we are not talking about the DPRK here.
I lived in Thailand for 10 years. And most Thai people do not like or want the Prince to become King of Thailand. He is too corrupt. And your correct when you say that he was not very close to the King IX.
I found this article fascinating because it mirrors our experience up country. We were in a small province of upper Isaan on the day the king died. What we saw was much like the description in this article- hushed, fearful and private reactions. In fact, that evening we were out at a carnival associated with the end of Buddhist lent. One couple selling were talking about the king, but as soon as they realized we understood they quickly became silent. We sat down and ate dinner. NO ONE SAID A WORD and all this was after 7pm. We ourselves did not know the news till 8:30 pm when we returned to the guest house and read it online. What a shock, especially given no one was talking about on the streets. We did observe however about 100 military personnel deployed across the festival area, and that is not normal. Since that time we have talked with many people, but we have heard NOTHING about anyone’s feelings. Discussion is limited to basic observations such as “that family over there is going to catch the free bus to Bangkok” or “the festival in town has been cancelled due to mourning.” 95% of people in the province town are all dressed in black, grey or white shirts- with darker colored jeans or skirts. We went out to a village this week and saw maybe only half the people dressed in darker colors. Is this from lack of heartfelt mourning, or because they are poor and can’t afford to buy new clothes? It is not a topic we can ask, nor one which anyone could answer. I hold no opinion about any of this, but as someone who has long been with Isaan people I wish I could hear and understand theirs. Given the strong climate of fear, sadly, it appears none of us will be able to.
Totally agree Griff, in the provinces not only is the response somewhat muted but it may turn out that some of the more excitable province dwellers have been deliberately holding themselves back out of respect, that situation now no longer exists and I fear there will be movement around the traps in due course, the situation is completely unpredictable, surprises coming from all directions including the very subtle insertion of the adored Princess into the equation.
You can write under any name you wish here, likewise the email address. You should also be using a reliable VPN no matter where you live, for personal security, let alone political necessity.
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What’s going on in Thailand?
Ubolratana gave up her “chao fa” title when she married an American. It was never officially restored even after her divorce. Probably not an issue, though. A new king could bestow her any title he wants, presumably.
What’s going on in Thailand?
Prayuth is a loyal idiot, delusional that he is the savior of all things good in Thailand. He isn’t capable of being a mastermind to anything, only a pawn. Prem has lost power because he has nothing to offer that Prayuth doesn’t already have.
Mabuhay from Singapore
[…] Michael was in Cambodia in 2013 as part of the University of Sydney’s Greater Angkor Project. For more on Michael’s work and research you can follow him on twitter or read more of his work on https://sydney.academia.edu/MichaelPaulLeadbetter. If you enjoyed this article you can read another by him on Filipino culture and Singapore. […]
What’s going on in Thailand?
Thailand must spend a billion dollars a year disseminating that exact propaganda.
Do you really believe readers here haven’t heard it thousands of times?
Mabuhay from Singapore
Thanks Chardybaldyosa, glad you like them 🙂
What’s going on in Thailand?
I don’t think Prem would be Regent now unless his outfit had the numbers. Prayut and the Prince are toast. It’s only a matter of time before Princess Angel is on the throne and pardons most of the people whom the wicked Prayut has imprisoned. Thailand can be kept much safer from democracy that way than if the wicked Prince is crowned.
The spectre of succession
Frankie Leung – civil war is an appalling prospect, anywhere – and can hopefully be avoided. Best outcome would be a “more liberally-minded military”. Some of the best governments Thailand has ever had were those of the 1990’s, beginning with Anand’s. But this time, they would need to do something really serious about de-centralisation, instead of only talking about it.
What’s going on in Thailand?
allow me to explain to your misunderstanding concept of thailand monach system and political system, thailand king is not related to politic , by law , similar to western the different of church and state must be separate completely…our king is work for all people as he is the father of all the people , that why we can die for him, this is the system in thailand not the same as any one else…westerner must adopt this culture and it is our inside business only.
What’s going on in Thailand?
Nongkhai is the hometown of Pramote Nakornthab, the author of the “Finland Plot”, “Finland Strategy”, that appeared in the Manager, Sondhi’s newspaper. He is the founder of the first international college over there.
Private: Managing the death of King Bhumibol
Ah, so subterfuge, false names and email addresses, hiding behind a VPN (I think I know what that is, nut no idea how to do it). Yes, silly me, naive me. Thank you for the advice. You have almost perfectly summed up the situation of living under a military government determined to ensure ‘right thinking’ on anything to do with the government or the monarchy. These last two words gives the game away: we are not talking about the DPRK here.
What’s going on in Thailand?
I lived in Thailand for 10 years. And most Thai people do not like or want the Prince to become King of Thailand. He is too corrupt. And your correct when you say that he was not very close to the King IX.
What’s going on in Thailand?
Some trivia-even some Lao in Nongkhai are wearing black,according to my informant.
The spectre of succession
There will be a civil war in Thailand.
Private: Managing the death of King Bhumibol
I found this article fascinating because it mirrors our experience up country. We were in a small province of upper Isaan on the day the king died. What we saw was much like the description in this article- hushed, fearful and private reactions. In fact, that evening we were out at a carnival associated with the end of Buddhist lent. One couple selling were talking about the king, but as soon as they realized we understood they quickly became silent. We sat down and ate dinner. NO ONE SAID A WORD and all this was after 7pm. We ourselves did not know the news till 8:30 pm when we returned to the guest house and read it online. What a shock, especially given no one was talking about on the streets. We did observe however about 100 military personnel deployed across the festival area, and that is not normal. Since that time we have talked with many people, but we have heard NOTHING about anyone’s feelings. Discussion is limited to basic observations such as “that family over there is going to catch the free bus to Bangkok” or “the festival in town has been cancelled due to mourning.” 95% of people in the province town are all dressed in black, grey or white shirts- with darker colored jeans or skirts. We went out to a village this week and saw maybe only half the people dressed in darker colors. Is this from lack of heartfelt mourning, or because they are poor and can’t afford to buy new clothes? It is not a topic we can ask, nor one which anyone could answer. I hold no opinion about any of this, but as someone who has long been with Isaan people I wish I could hear and understand theirs. Given the strong climate of fear, sadly, it appears none of us will be able to.
Guardian of the kingdom
20 Constitutions – WTF!?!
Didn’t Winston Churchill say “A people get the govt. they deserve.”? It certainly applies here.
What’s going on in Thailand?
thank you…. as usual you have made some sense of strange behaviour
your version of Thainess makes lots more sense than any other version spread around by by so-called royalists and military
What’s going on in Thailand?
Yes, I was wondering why Ubolratana was walking among the plebs. These things don’t just happen.
What now?
Totally agree Griff, in the provinces not only is the response somewhat muted but it may turn out that some of the more excitable province dwellers have been deliberately holding themselves back out of respect, that situation now no longer exists and I fear there will be movement around the traps in due course, the situation is completely unpredictable, surprises coming from all directions including the very subtle insertion of the adored Princess into the equation.
Private: Managing the death of King Bhumibol
You can write under any name you wish here, likewise the email address. You should also be using a reliable VPN no matter where you live, for personal security, let alone political necessity.
Private: Managing the death of King Bhumibol
Such as what, Joe Smith?
If you’ve something useful to share, please do.
Patronising scare tactics serve no real constructive purpose here.