Thailand's monarchy has long been considered untouchable, an institution of vast wealth and power protected against scrutiny by draconian laws. It is often described as a sacred and revered institution, purportedly above politics.
This is why, for generations, little has been said openly, even in private, about the king in Thailand. Guide books have warned tourists against insults. His first marriage, to a cousin, officially ended in 1993, although by then he had five children with the woman, a former actress, who became his second wife. That marriage lasted two years until, in 1996, she left for Britain with the children. She and their four sons were later granted asylum in the US by the Clinton administration; the daughter, now a fashion designer, was raised by her father.
Since coming to power he has taken direct control of several army units, assumed personal ownership of the Crown Property Bureau’s fortune and intervened in the drafting of the constitution – there have been 20 new or revised charters in Thailand since 1932 – to ensure he could spend more time in Germany. He flies back to Thailand for important occasions.
And it’s true there have been no new lese-majeste prosecutions since 2018; other laws have been used instead. Sedition laws and the Computer Crimes Act each carry hefty penalties and can be used for alleged offences against national security. Economic failures during the pandemic have also hurt, while constitutional reform, student issues and LGBTQI rights are also on the agenda. The king’s long stays in Germany and lack of popular appeal have also made him a target. Also, high school and university students feature prominently, another marked change from protests of the past.
Because he feels like an imposter. His father was much like Our Queen and he is like Charles- not particularly likeable and he's hardly even been in Thailand his whole adult life
Why do journalists pay scant regard to the corruption of the LNP? auspol
As long as you are a Red Bull heir or very rich, the laws in Thailand are very fair😉