New Mandala

Vajiralongkorn is a graduate from Australia’s Royal Military College in Canberra and has trained with the U.S., British and Australian armed services…His Western lifestyle is not discussed openly, thanks again to lese majeste. But people have privately asked whether he has the natural authority to unify the nation, especially given his partisanship towards the military. [...]

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There is an interesting analysis of Thai politics that was just published at Asia Sentinel.  It draws attention to “a feckless heir”, “a muddle-through scenario”, and “anti-monarchy radicalism”, among a large number of other issues.

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The National Archives of Australia have substantial holdings on Thai Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn’s years in Australia.  One of the files is “Closed”, some are currently “Withheld pending agency advice” or “Not yet examined”, and others are “Open”.  The archival material covers the Crown Prince’s initial time at the King’s School in Sydney and his training [...]

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Yesterday New Mandala’s Andrew Walker was interviewed on the ABC Radio National breakfast program about politics and the palace in Thailand.  The audio of Andrew’s conversation with Fran Kelly is available here.

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For a country with a semi-democracy, semi-feudal political system, the end of the present reign puts everything in uncertainty…As democratic institutions are undermined and all political powers are dependent on the monarchy, the future of the whole country sadly hinges on this transition.
- Professor Thongchai Winichakul quoted in Grant Peck, “Thai king’s illness leaves countrymen [...]

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Over at Political Prisoners in Thailand there is a forensic analysis of Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol’s academic career.  The analysis was motivated by the recent award of the Windaus Medal to the princess.  New Mandala readers with interests in academic politics or royal careers will probably find the treatment instructive.

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If you are inclined to follow the rumours about King Bhumibol’s health then you could do worse than start with the meaty synthesis put together by Political Prisoners in Thailand. It includes all of the key sources.
In response to this style of coverage, the editorial team of The Nation has come out firing.  They have [...]

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With this recent New Mandala post in mind, a report in today’s New York Times caught my attention.

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Over at Asia Sentinel, Pavin Chachavalpongpun provides some tips for royal endurance in Southeast Asia:
[T]hese guides to longevity of the monarchies in Southeast Asia do not automatically offer a rosy picture for their future. New factors emerge periodically to challenge the integrity of their rule. Using illegitimate weapons, such as manipulating the legal system to [...]

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Less than forty-eight hours before he died the First Queen had reported that “His Majesty has improved in all respects.”
- Extracted from Vella and Vella 1978. Chaiyo! King Vajiravudh and the development of Thai Nationalism, p1.

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