More than two months ago I wrote:
In some quarters the king is regarded as a key defender of Thai democracy. Which makes me wonder …Has there been a royal statement urging the protesters from the People’s Alliance for (Sufficiency) Democracy to respect the fact that there was an election held last December and that this government is the result? And any royal statement urging them, in the interests of national unity (which is a common royal rallying cry), to take their concerns to the ballot box at the next election?
One sentence and the royal legitimacy of the PA(S)D protests would evaporate.
Still no word of reason (or moderation) from the king directed at those who campaign so vigorously in his name. With Thailand’s political standoff taking the country to the brink on the Cambodian border and now in the streets of Bangkok … not a word. Just another lecture in fiscal prudence from the $35-billion-dollar monarch.
20 responses so far ↓
1 Colum Graham // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:04 pm
“In some quarters, the King is thought of as a key defender of Thai democracy”, yes
Thai democracy. The democracy that’s replaced every few years when his authority is challenged. His silence speaks louder than words.
2 nganadeeleg // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Andrew – You have been following Thailand long enough to know that the King is above politics, and does not wish to be involved in such matters (nor should he).
Unfortunately, he seems to continually be called upon to sort out the mess – It’s interesting that you are joining that chorus.
3 matty // Aug 27, 2008 at 1:27 am
Andrew your grudge against Thailand’s beloved monarch HMK Bhumibhol must be personally constipating, I can sense. You would blame the Thai monarch when Thai democracy gets stalled or implodes (like in 2006 because of a deeply flawed corruption inspired ex-PM, now fugitive, Thaksin). That’s just grudge Andrew W and not good sense nor logic. Thaksin Shinawatra could NOT be saved Andrew W. but yet you now believe his nominee Samak Sundaravej is deserving . . . with you on your knees (sarcasm returned) seeking intervention from HMK, the ‘Protector of the Nation’. But would you protest Andrew Walker if HMK again ‘whispers to Thai Prime Minister Samak’s ears’?
Thailand’s political situation is descending to near lunacy,I agree. But if the Thais are not going at each other’s throats now is because there is indeed a revered Father figure, HMK Bhumibhol, the Protector and the Reconciler.
(The Thais believe in Karma – Everything comes around is a Thai belief. Both Thaksin and Samak have blood on their hands: Thaksin accountable for the extra-judicial slaughter during his anti-drugs and Samak for his anti-leftist incitement of the murderous Red Guars during the October 1976 Thammasart University massacre. Yet Andrew W. will believe that Samak Sundaravej, despite Samak’s blood-stained sleeves, is deserving to be saved . . .)
4 Lleij Samuel Schwartz // Aug 27, 2008 at 5:16 am
re: nganadeeleg
But doesn’t a bodhisattva vow to remain in Manusyaloka in order to assist sentient beings in ending their ignorance? Perhaps his paramita/บารมี isn’t as highly developed as some people may claim.
5 polo // Aug 27, 2008 at 5:35 am
History shows that when there is an actor, a force that has some military support and is pretty much out of control (even if it is manipulated from parts of the palace) then the king, for better or worse, does not step in until the loser (not the winner) is decided. Sondhi and those behind him and in front of him have not heeded the king’s implied endorsement of Samak’s government, and that suggests out of control.
What really need to come out of this is, who is encouraging and protecting Sondhi, as he behaves like a 1960s Red Guard leader?
6 nganadeeleg // Aug 27, 2008 at 8:45 am
LSS: I’ve never claimed he was perfect, but how will the ignorance you mentioned ever end if he has to continually sort things out for them?
He won’t be around forever!
He already gives speeches about behaving correctly & do the right thing etc
Are you & Andrew calling for him to address just the PAD?
or do you want him mediating in all matters confronting the government?
Anything else you would like him to do?
Where would it stop?
7 nganadeeleg // Aug 27, 2008 at 9:09 am
Andrew: F.Y.I.
“The all-important wild card is the royal household, which by law is above Thai politics. The highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has on at least two nationally televised occasions endorsed Samak and his administration, notably on the eve of a previous PAD-declared “doomsday”
(from Crispin’s latest in AsiaTimes per Bangkok Pundit’s site)
I’m not sure endorsed is the right word to describe the monarch recognizing the legitimacy of an elected government, and I think there would be concern if the monarch got any more involved than that.
8 Wild Weasel // Aug 27, 2008 at 9:48 am
The king is now waiting for his que. He won’t come out just yet because his troopers are having the upperhand. But you’ll see him when his troopers are on the defensive. Then he will come out and whisper coded words that translate to “reconcilliation” and exornerate the right wingers and his troopers. He is like a referee on the take who fixes matches. It never fails, just watch.
9 karmablues // Aug 27, 2008 at 1:11 pm
“I was granted an audience with His Majesty the King. His Majesty asked me to enforce the law with extreme caution, to be soft and gentle. I beg all of you to understand and sympathise with me,” Samak was quoted by an official source as telling the Cabinet.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/27/politics/politics_30081617.php
My interpretation:
1. “I was granted an audience” – PM Samak requested to see the King to ask for advice. This is in line with the constitutional principle that the King can “be consulted”, ie. he can give advice on specific issues to the PM upon being expressly requested. PM Samak probably did this to cover his as* in case things go wrong.
2. King said “enforce the law”, ie. arrest, fine, jail, etc. those who break the law. Good advice. The 82 who raided NBT have already been arrested and not granted bail. Now it’s time for the PAD Leaders to face up to the music.
3. King advises to enforce the law “with extreme caution, to be soft and gentle.” ie., arrest those law breakers, but don’t fall into the PAD Leader’s trap of trying to provoke a coup.
Polo: who is encouraging and protecting Sondhi
see:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JH27Ae02.html
a few relevant parts:
“Samak has reached an accommodation with top-ranking military leaders, including army commander General Anupong Paochinda and First Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha, but a hardline camp has reportedly refused to fall in step. [Crispin also says later on that Anupong and Prayuth are also both known to have close personal ties with Queen Sirikit].”
“What is known is that the PAD has powerful backing from a hardline faction inside the military that lost out at last year’s reshuffle, which most significantly saw the promotion of Anupong over the ambitious General Saprang Kalayanamitr. A key player in the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin, Saprang has been quoted in the local press as saying that he personally has given orders to the PAD.”
“There is no evidence that he or other military figures played any role in stoking Tuesday’s violence, but there are worrying indications that a hardline military camp may bid to capitalize on the chaos and its aftermath at more moderate military rivals’ expense.”
10 Observer // Aug 27, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Polo solved that little problem and has pointed to the more interesting one.
Any ideas?
I suspect that the leaders of the Sept 06 coup that are able to get marginalized in the next transfer are the key backers – Saprang, Chalit, etc.
I’m not so sure about support at the next level up. I would guess that Prem’s camp has let them know that he will deiver backing if they pull it off. If they don’t they are on their own. All tacit, of course.
11 tum|bler // Aug 27, 2008 at 3:23 pm
About the backers, what about Gen.Phanlop and Prasong? Yesterday Nattawood (deputy govt spokesman and ex-UDD leader) let slip these two names during an NBT live broadcast.
12 Dog Lover // Aug 28, 2008 at 2:21 am
nganadeeleg: “Andrew – You have been following Thailand long enough to know that the King is above politics, and does not wish to be involved in such matters (nor should he).”
You have read Handley, so I take it that this is tongue in cheek, right?
13 nganadeeleg // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:36 am
Dog Lover: Yes I have read TKNS.
There is no doubt the King eventually becomes involved in politics, but I don’t recall Handley or anyone proving the point that the King intervenes before being dragged into it to diffuse a crisis.
(like the teacher stopping the schoolyard fight)
It’s usually better to let them sort out the fight themselves so they can learn for the future, but sometimes the risk of violence is just so great that a wiser head needs to intervene.
btw, whilst I think the last 60 years in Thailand would have been much worse without the King around, I don’t believe the King can do no wrong, and I think his biggest failure has been not preparing the country well enough for his passing.
(or not allowing the country to prepare)
14 karmablues // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:44 pm
BTW, I just thought of something. The quote I cited above at the top of my #9, in which Samak is said to have said to Cabinet members: “I beg all of you to understand and sympathize with me.”
Sympathize that he has to be “soft and gentle” since it is the King’s advice? That does seem to suggest that the Cabinet members were pressuring Samak for tough measures against the protesters and thus Samak had to defend himself by reference to King’s advice.
15 rawingwong phonpiak // Aug 28, 2008 at 4:00 pm
HMK is likely to unwind and even smile a little when someone comes to him with a gift of large monetary value. You just watch. As for politics, the guy just sits on the fence and sides with whoever is winning.
16 saay // Aug 30, 2008 at 1:22 am
The king is Head of State. If state institutions are violently attacked in his name he has to step in. Of course you can stick to principles, saying that the king remains above politics. But real character and intelligence become manifest when a statesman (or monarch) is able to follow his human instincts when reacting to crises. And his instincts should tell the king that if he would raise his voice now once and for all in defense of the democratic process and institutions (this time scolding mad nationalists and enemies of electoral politics as much as he chastises democratically elected – if corrupt – politicians) he would not only calm the present situation but would strengthen democracy as a whole for years to come, thus providing the basis for reconciliation. But more likely he will stand idly by and watch, waiting until a State of Emergency is declared and his military friends return back to power. Here’s where his decades-long promotion and defense of Thai-style democracy has led the nation. At least this system has made him the richest and most powerful monarch in the world.
17 saay // Aug 30, 2008 at 2:30 am
…or, if the military won’t step in (Samak seems to be willing, but not Anupong – strange times), Samak will be forced to resign and a royally backed Democrat MP or non-MP PM will be chosen.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/29/headlines/headlines_30081947.php
As the king is waiting (and possibly influencing) for either of these two options to materialize – both in disrespect of the December 2007 electoral outcomes – to materialize, he won’t say anything.
18 Dog Lover // Sep 1, 2008 at 5:52 am
nganadeleg: “btw, whilst I think the last 60 years in Thailand would have been much worse without the King around, I don’t believe the King can do no wrong, and I think his biggest failure has been not preparing the country well enough for his passing.
(or not allowing the country to prepare).”
An interesting point, but in a constitutional monarchy it should not matter what happens when the king dies. He’s just replaced by the heir apparent in an orderly and legal manner.
Hence, as others have pointed out, preparing for his passing and the continuance of the constitutional monarchy and the house of Chakri might have been best served by working for a strong parliamentary system. Rather, the king has made things worse for Thais and his successors by making himself seem indispensable to each political crisis. That means the monarchy is always in danger.
And it could get worse. If the king does throw more support behind Samak what lesson do the PADites draw?
Remember that he has supported him to date (so I think this thread is a bit off track in its initial question). Think of the previous PAD D-Day, when the king met and publicly supported Ai Mak.
If the PADites see the king as having failed them and if the Thaksinites already think this way following the coup (you really think there’s no evidence of palace intervention in that event??), then the monarchy loses big time in terms of its current ideological position.
Personally, I think that might be a good thing, but I wonder if palace insiders see that they may need to make yet another deal with Sonthi Lim and Chamlong in order to preserve their own position?
19 nganadeeleg // Sep 1, 2008 at 8:39 am
Dog Lover: I basically agree that would be a good thing, and hopefully it can occur without bloodshed.
It’s a bit of a chicken and egg thing – does the King intervening cause the politicians to never be able to sort things out themselves, or is it because the politicians cannot sort things out that the King is forced to intervene?
There are arguments on both sides, but IMO the jury is still out on that question.
I post on these threads for one reason only: To hammer away at the notion that the country needs politicians with integrity & humility – once that is achieved, the monarchy will become as irrelevant as a constitututional monarchy should be.
20 Dog Lover // Sep 2, 2008 at 2:18 am
Agreed, every country needs “politicians with integrity & humility.” I should add that these should be elected politicians. I guess my point and that also seen in TKNS is that the palace has worked against this – so far.
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