From requiring constitutional changes to pushing for unity in the divided country and reshaping the royal household, Thailand’s new king is putting an assertive stamp on his rule.
That matters in Thailand, where relationships between monarchy, army and politicians have long determined the stability of Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy and America’s oldest regional ally. Predictions by some pundits of a troubled royal transition have proven wrong – at least for now.
“His majesty has proven himself to be very adept at managing the junta and the military,” said academic Paul Chambers at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs in Chiang Mai.
None of more than two dozen serving or former officials, military officers, parliamentarians, diplomats or analysts that Reuters spoke to for this story saw any immediate threat to that balance of power. With jail facing anyone found guilty of insulting the monarchy under the nation’s “lèse–majesté” laws, few Thais comment openly on royal matters.
Asked for a response for this story, a palace official said it did not comment to the media. A government spokesman declined comment.