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I hope this is not a naive or silly question as I am not fully aware of the current political situation in Thailand. It is a country I have visited 4 times over the past 15 years, and a country I greatly admire and have feelings of affection for.
Recently I had a discussion with a local Thai ex-pat living here in my city, and his opinion seemed to be the institution of the Thai monarchy and the whole Chakri Dynasty is doomed after the demise of the current King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This man was in despair over the future of royalty in his native country, so don't misunderstand me - he was not advocating or hoping for the overthrow of the crown.
It appears the Crown Prince Vajiralonghorn is just not popular with the Thai people and his behavior in the past has caused him to lose a lot of respect from many Thais. The Princess Royal Sarindhorn is very popular and much beloved, but she never married and has no children and sources say she is not interested in stepping on her brother's toes and she supports him.
I cannot imagine the Thai people abolishing the monarchy. The overwhelming adoration the Thai people people have for the current king (and queen) is without equal in any other country.
Can someone give me a clear picture as to what is happening over there?
Yes the King is indeed revered in Thailand. His picture is everywhere, I even saw shops that seemed to specialise in just making portraits of the king! When you go to a cinema in Thailand you have to stand up and listen to the national anthem and respect the king before the film starts. Even though it's a constitutional monarchy, even speaking bad about the monarchy can get you into trouble.
From what I KNOW he seemed like a good person, helping the Thai people and all that...he is getting on now, the longest reigning monarch in the world, though I have no idea about his successor.
When you go to a cinema in Thailand you have to stand up and listen to the national anthem and respect the king before the film starts.
What is interesting is that Thailand has two anthems: the "national anthem" and the "royal or king's anthem." What they play before the movie starts or a concert or a performance is "The King's Anthem" which is the more beautiful song anyway. The official national anthem sounds more like a military march
What is interesting is that Thailand has two anthems: the "national anthem" and the "royal or king's anthem." What they play before the movie starts or a concert or a performance is "The King's Anthem" which is the more beautiful song anyway. The official national anthem sounds more like a military march
Ah interesting, thanks for that little bit of trivia.
HM the King is elderly and in poor health and actually lives in a hospital now, not in the Chitralada Palace. When Obama visited him a year or so ago he looked good, but I'm told he is quite frail.
If the crown prince ascends the throne I'm hoping he will reach out to his mother Queen Sirikit and his sister the Princess Royal Sarindhorn to bolster his reign and maybe even form some sort of regency.
Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti is not a niece of the King. He's the 5th son of the Prince, making him a grandson of the King. He's 8 years old. I don't think it's likely he would become the next King of Thailand. But his father, who is the son of the King, might.
A niece is the daughter (female) child of your brother or sister. A nephew is the son (male) child of your brother or sister. English words can be a little bit confusing when describing different family relatives.
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