What is happening in Thailand?
Student led groups have staged protests across the country almost daily since July, calling for the parliament to dissolve, for the military-drafted constitution to be rewritten and for an end to the harassment of activists.
Some background on Thailand’s Political Structure
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch as the head of the State. In May 2014, following a military coup, the constitution was suspended (except provisions pertaining to the monarchy), and a council of military leaders took power. The leader of the council, Prayut Chan-o-cha, was named interim Prime Minister.
Thailand also has strict laws that censor its press and citizens from reporting on details about the royal family.
The Thai King, Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X) was crowned in May 2019. He has led a controversial life, notorious for his affairs, disowning his children, marrying a mistress and eventually stripping her of her titles months later.
He abandoned the country during the pandemic and is reportedly staying in a 4 star hotel in Germany, made available to him under special permissions.
Under the Prime Minister, the country is seemingly undergoing a permanent authoritarian regression. He has detained numerous peaceful protestors and at least 1,800 civilians face prosecution in military courts, amid what Human Rights Watch describes as “an ever-deeper abyss of human-rights abuses.”
#WeDontNeedaMonarch
The fleeing of the Monarch, the irresponsible handling of the coronavirus, the sudden disappearance of activists and the dissolution of a popular opposition party by the government finally broke the general public, who are now protesting with the hashtag ‘WhyDoWeNeedaMonarch’ and have questioned the validity of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.
The protestors have laid out a 10-point manifesto, among which is a proposal to nullify the clause which prohibits any legal action against the King, and to scrap the lese-majeste law which shields him from criticism. They have also demanded the separation of the King’s personal wealth from the State’s assets.
Thailand’s monarchy was considered God-like, but these recent movements are shattering the longstanding taboo against criticism of the Monarchy. The government does not seem to have a plan in place, as the Thai population demands a more democratic government in what could be its biggest revolution ever.
