Coronation of Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn Likely by the End of 2017


nsnbc : The coronation of Thailand’s new King Vajiralongkorn is likely to take place at the end of the year said Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on April 21.

Thailand’s then-Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn at an event mourning his father. Courtesy Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Thailand’s then-Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn at an event mourning his father. Courtesy Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Without naming a specific month, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told reporters that the coronation of King Vajiralongkorn is likely to take place by the end of 2017, after the creamation of his late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

In December 2016 Thailand’s then 64-year-old Crown Prince ascended to the throne as King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun a.k.a. Rama X., succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Although it may seem “strange” for those who are not cognizant about funerary traditions in Thailand the long time before Vajiralongkorn accepted the throne, and the long time between his acceptance and the coronation are not unusual. Neither is the long period between King Bhumibol Adulyadej being laid to rest and his cremation.

The rituals can in some cases last up to 2 – 3 years and reflect a compassionate care for the deceased that may seem “strange” to some atheists, or members of religious communities where the deceased should be buried the same day. Some reports – which nsnbc could not confirm independently – point at the moth of October for the cremation.

The king’s coronation is expected to signal the resumption of normal democratic politics following a year-long mourning period for King Bhumibol Adulyadej and general election should follow soon after, slated for late 2018.Restrictions on political activities will remain in place until after the new king’s coronation, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has said.

King Bhumibol Adulyadey during a brief visit to the Royal Palace in 2015.

King Bhumibol Adulyadey during a brief visit to the Royal Palace in 2015.

His father died on October 13, 2016 after years of illness. The late king was widely perceived as a person and a symbol that brought stability and maintained national unity in a country that has been plagued by several rounds of turmoil. The country’s constitution, argued some experts, invited nepotism and the centralization of power in small party elites because of several problems.

A Prime Minister has to be a member of parliament. A member of parliament must be a member of a political party. The result is, invariably, and regardless of which party is in power, that party elites can fire a non-compliant MP and even a Prime Miniister when they don’t pull the party line. Having an institution like the constitutional monarchy under such circumstances may mitigate the worst of the problems, but it cannot be a substitution for much-needed constitutional reform.

King Rama X will be facing this challenge, and he will also be facing the challenge to oversee elections which Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha promised would be held some time in 2017. Maha Vajiralongkorn was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972. He will also have to face the daunting task to live up to the expectations of the Thai people, most of whom admired the late king.

One of the expectations many have is that Rama X will abolish antiquated and harsh lese-majeste laws. The laws severely restrict the freedom of the press and are violating international law and human rights. Surely, a benign royal ruler won’t have to fear anything when people voice their opinion, or even if cartoonists make fun, or someone would slander the king.

Respect usually derives from positive action, not from oppression of dissent. If Rama X really wants to make a name for himself, he could take the initiative to bring Thailand’s laws in compliance with international and human rights law. The United Nations Human Rights Committee is clear and unambiguous with regard to these problems. Speech that is considered insulting, even speech that insults those in position of power, should never be the basis of a criminal prosecution.

 CH/L – nsnbc 22.04.2017



Source Article from https://nsnbc.me/2017/04/22/coronation-of-thailands-king-vajiralongkorn-likely-by-the-end-of-2017-2/

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