We need to cut down the military’s influence in society, reform the judiciary and the police, and expand freedom and democracy. And we need to abolish the monarchy, too. For in the minds of millions, the monarchy has now become an obstacle to freedom and human dignity. Thais need to create a culture of citizenship rather than being merely “royal subjects.”

– Extracted from Giles Ji Ungpakorn, “The power behind the Thai throne”, Socialist Worker, 8 September 2010.