What is King Bhumibol's legacy?

As King Bhumibol Adulyadej nears the end of his life, many onlookers will wonder what the Thai king's legacy will be. No doubt Abhisit's propaganda machine will set to work before the old man has even taken his last breath. But wait! Don't believe everything you are told.

Before you swallow all that guff about the Thai king being a "champion" of poor people, or a "source of stability" in troubled times, consider some of the things which have been done in the Thai king's name (and with his consent). Take the case of Professor Boonsong Chaisingkananont. back in 2006, he was accused of "insulting" king Bhumibol Adulyadej and arrested for lese majeste.

So just how did Professor Boonsong "insult" the dying king? Wait for it... he set an exam question asking his students to debate "the role of the monarchy in a democratic system". Thai police then demanded that Professor Boonsong hand over students' written responses, to see if any have committed lese majeste. The professor refused.

This is what some, like Prime Minister Abhisit, laughingly call "Thai culture" as he cynically attempts to justify this evil law to a gullible western media. So before you believe the propaganda, ask yourself why Thai people can't even debate the issue of the monarchy in Thailand. Why is it a crime to debate the monarchy's role in Thai society?

This is king Bhumibol's legacy.