One year ago, Giles Ji Ungpakorn abandoned Thailand in haste, after being accused of lese majeste by Thai police and threatened with prison. All for writing a book entitled "A Coup for the Rich" in which he criticised the Thai army for organising the 2006 military coup against Thailand's democratic government.Although at the time Giles himself didn't criticise the Thai king, things in Thailand are starting to change. Many ordinary Thais are now seriously questioning their king's role in Thai politics, and according to an article published by Giles in his blog, are becoming increasingly anti-royal.
But why? Well, for many reasons: the Thai Royals have abused the legal system in Thailand many times, and Thai people know it. The king has endorsed several military coups, he has ignored his people, and he no longer appears to be concerned for his subjects. None of this goes down well with Thai people.
It's a fact. Thailand's Royal family no longer has any real virtue today. As royal expenditure skyrockets each year, reaching an estimated 3,000 billion bah in 2011, Thai people look in disgust as their royal family live it up in lavish Palaces and spend huge amounts of public dosh on cars, banquets, jewels, frivolities.
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According to Giles, Thailand's Royals are fast becoming the enemy of Thai people, who watch in horror as their constitution is threatened and they are slowly robbed of their civil rights. Thai people now feel their king has insulted not only his people, but democracy too.The Thai king remained silent in April 2009, as Thailand's corrupt army used violence against the Red shirts. PAD supporters shut down the Airport, but the king said nothing. The Queen visited the funeral of a PAD activist to show her support for PAD. Bhumibol said nothing.
Then, as Thai people looked for guidance from their king, Bhumibol refused to appear for his traditional Birthday speech in December 2008, claiming he had a "sore throat". The result? Anti-royal sentiment is now spreading all around Thailand. The word on the street is that the Royals no longer respect the people, so the people no longer respect the royals.
But according to Giles's article, anti-Royal sentiments in Thailand are nothing new. Such things have happened many times in the past, but have never led to a Republican revolution. Rama 5, Rama 6 and Rama 7 all faced hostility from their own people.
In Rama 7's case, there was a revolution group led by Pridi, but Pridi's intention had never been to overthrow the Thai monachy, and so the Chakri dynasty continued. Bhumibol Adulyadej is now the 9th Rama. Like many other people in Thailand, Giles desperately wants change, but the Thai royals should not be underestimated. They haven't come this far only to give up now.
Thailand's Chakri dynasty intends to hold on to power by any means. Whatever the cost to Thai people. good video from sia4playboy.
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To read Giles's articles on Thailand, visit these sites:
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