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In October 2016, the long-reigning king of Thailand passed away after several years of
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health complications.
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The 88-year-old king had ruled for the past 70 years, meaning that for a vast majority
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of the country, he is the only leader they had ever lived under.
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With the king’s controversial son taking his place, we wanted to know what will happen
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to Thailand’s monarchy?
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Well, Thai royalty is somewhat unique.
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Firstly, besides being one of the very few remaining monarchies in the world, Thailand
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narrows down even further as one of the only countries left to punish negative or insulting
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speech against the King.
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This is known as “lèse-majesté”, and has prevented open discussion of the former
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leader’s health issues and potential succession.
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This inability to discuss royal issues muddies the waters during a time of political instability.
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In fact, over the past decades, Thailand has undergone numerous coup d’états, more than
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any other country on earth.
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Since 1932 they’ve seen 12 successful and 7 unsuccessful coups, particularly as a result
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of the extreme political divide in government.
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One former leader, who was ousted in a coup and is currently in exile, is thought to represent
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the “Red Shirts”, who are working class Thais in rural areas.
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They are opposed to the political elite and conservative middle class, which are supported
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by the country’s military, and bureaucracy.
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Just in 2014, a constitutional court removed the elected Prime Minister, who was actually
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the sister of the exiled Red Shirt leader.
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Following the removal, the country underwent yet another coup.
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However, despite Thailand’s numerous coups, the monarchy has remained unchanged, largely
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because it is more of a figurehead role than an active political position.
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And while opinion on the former king was split, the office of the monarchy was treated with
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reverence by many Thai people.
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But now, the king’s successor, his son, threatens to dismantle that respect.
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The so-called “millionaire playboy” has been repeatedly embroiled in scandals, including
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extremely unflattering photographs of the Prince wearing a belly-shirt, low-rise jeans,
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and sporting large tattoos.
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The Prince also made his poodle a high ranking member of the Air Force.
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Internal diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks showed some political elites expressing concern
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about the Prince replacing the elderly king, and what that could mean for the monarchy.
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One major fear by these elites is that the Prince has ties to the exiled leader of the
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Red Shirts, which could severely complicate the existing split in government.
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Others worry that he will squander the country’s $53 billion dollar business investment network
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operated by the royal crown, or worse yet, yield control of it to the Red Shirts.
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These fears are likely the reason that the Prince’s coronation was postponed for one
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year following the death of the King.
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In the meantime, a high ranking former advisor to the king will fulfill the role.
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Once crowned, however, it will be on the Prince to either uphold the monarchy with respect,
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or continue to act controversially, and lose support.
