The Thai ambassador to Singapore … said in 2006 to diplomats who worked in the embassy, “If you criticise me, this can be regarded as you criticising the King, since I am the representative of His Majesty.” This exemplified how the monarchy can be exploited to preserve the power position of an individual. Surely the Thai ambassador was not the first person who has taken advantage of the much-respected institution for his own ends.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun, “Open up Discussion to Prevent Politicisation of the Monarchy“, The Nation, 11 May 2011