This king is very controversial. And it seems that people don't like him. Can he not abdicate for his sister or one of his children to replace him?
I don't think that he even wants to do that. And junta hardly want shake monarchy trying to do that. So either we have just wait that the king dies from old age or then he is ousted on revolution.
Most of the protesters is supportive of the monarchy, the genuinely democratic and constitutional one. The current regime in Thailand is not and that's why the protesters are calling for reforms not abolishment. But as time goes by, it seems like those in powers never learn from the history at all, of how this kind of repugnant attitude and denial would finally paving way for something beyond compromise when breaking point is reached.
Supportive of the monarchy and supportive of the monarch is 2 different things.. You can like the monarchy as institution without necessarily having to like the person occupying the throne at the moment...The protesters in Thailand clearly wants to live in a constitutional monarchy like the monarchies in Europe where the royals are under the law and not above it.
It breaks my heart to see the Thai monarchy so carefully taken care of and developed for 70 years under King Bhumibol’s skillfull leadership - being totally ruined by his son... Not that i didn’t saw it coming. Vajiralongkorn have always been like this. But a small part of me hoped that he would take some responsibility when he came to the throne. Not ruling from Germany while he is romping in the hotel bed with his ”Royal Noble Consort”...
I hope the monarchy will hold. I am a monarchist.
No, they aren't protesting the king's behaviors but his behaviors are the catalyses that inciting these protests, especially now when the country is enduring hardships from coronavirus pandemic. If they were outright republicans, we wouldn't have seen such a smooth transition between the two reigns, elaborate funeral for the old king or lavish coronation for the new king happening. There would have been troubles, protests or chaos right from the beginning when King Bhumibol dies. Watch the video that I posted ealier and hear what their leader got to say about the monarchy and you'll see why I called them being 'supportive of the monarchy'.
These protesters were not compromising but genuinely wanted to see reforms that make Thai monarchy works like any other constitutional monarchies in developed countries. Read what were their demands, stance and dream and you'll find so little republican elements in it, not even a referendum. It's all about fundamental changes leading the monarchy to be renewed and reshaped to match social norms and values of the 21st century. Calls for republic went trending just because people were angry from being rejected and cornered which left them with no choices but to turn to something that has not been called from day one.
Looks like things are really complicated in Thailand. I hope everything is resolved peacefully.
Looks like things are really complicated in Thailand. I hope everything is resolved peacefully.
Huge crowd turn up at today's rally:
https://twitter.com/Thairath_News/status/1316344963198676992?s=20
An event never seen before, a royal motorcade of Queen Suthida and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti passing through protestors near Government House while people chanting curses at them:
https://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1316323660387344384?s=20
https://twitter.com/minimonilogist/status/1316330279494008834?s=20
https://twitter.com/myshinnayu/status/1316328335819956224?s=20
https://twitter.com/agirlshortlegs/status/1316325036379107329?s=20
https://twitter.com/021026percent/status/1316326543631679490?s=20