Thai monarchy

11 Jan 2022
After a failed attempt a decade ago to amend or abolish the section of the Criminal Code that punishes people for defaming, insulting or threatening members of the monarchy, new calls have emerged questioning the monarch’s role in Thai democracy and have faced legal harassment.
29 Sep 2020
The speeches and demands at the 10 August protest have broken the decades-long taboo on addressing monarchy reform in public. After the initial turbulence and fears of a backlash passed, a public panel was organized that included royalist, conservative and progressive figures.
11 Aug 2020
The organizer of the demonstration at Thammasat University read their first declaration. It proposes that the monarchy should be reformed in line with democratic principles. The perception toward the monarchy should not be exaggerated.
28 Jul 2019
The prominent historian in exile has called for reform of the monarchy on 28 July, the birthday of King Vajiralongkorn.
24 Jun 2017
Seminal historian Thongchai Winichakul argues that Thailand’s many constitutions have progressively torn power from the people to be placed back in the hands of the King —  a process seen most clearly in the latest charter.
3 May 2017
A secret bill has placed five public agencies under the direct control of ‘His Majesty’s will’, granting the monarchy authority unseen since the 1932 revolution. The bill transfers to King Vajiralongkorn what was previously state authority over five agencies responsible for royal affairs and the monarchy’s security. The reforms were finally released publically on 1 May 2017, after being secretly approved by the junta-appointed interim parliament on 20 April.
4 Apr 2017
BBC Thai has revealed that its controversial biography of King Vajiralongkorn broke records as the site’s most popular story, accumulating millions of views despite the article eventually being censored in Thailand. The biography of Thailand’s new King, published in December last year, has received over 3 million views and counting, revealed Iain Haddow, Executive Editor of BBC Asia, at a public talk on ‘Media Freedom in an Increasingly Authoritarian World’ on 29 March 2017.   The biography has had 10 times as many views as the site’s next top performing story.
12 Jan 2017
Thailand’s military government has taken up the late King Bhumibol’s philosophies and knowledge as the main theme for Children’s Day in 2017. On 11 January 2017, Col Thaksada Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that from 8 am-3 pm on 14 January the government will organise an event for Children’s Day at the Government House in Bangkok, according to Wassana Nanuam, a Bangkok Post reporter.
10 Jan 2017
The junta leader has announced that King Vajiralongkorn has asked for certain amendments of the constitution about the authorities of the King. On 10 January 2016, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, announced that the King through his privy council requested for certain charges in the constitution, which was approved by the public referendum last year.
27 Dec 2016
The court of appeal has denied bail for a well-known anti-junta activist accused of defaming King Rama X.   On 27 December 2016, an appeal court in Khon Kaen Province denied bail to Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, the first person charged with lèse majesté under the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The court reasoned that Jatuphat does not seem to respect the law or state authorities, adding that he could intervene with evidence if released.
17 Nov 2016
The late King’s speech made shortly after the 6 October 1976 massacre is used as a prelude to the new 9-minute long Royal Anthem video.   
22 Oct 2016
A deputy junta head has asked Google and YouTube to cooperate in blocking websites and videos with alleged lèse majesté content. On 21 October 2016, Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Junthong invited Ann Lavin, Director of Public Policy of Google’s Southeast Asia and Greater China office, for a meeting at Government House.

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